2026 Western Transmountain Festival III - The Inspiring Success of a Compact Swim Team at a Major Competition

Small But Mighty: Saskatoon Goldfins Make Waves at Western Transmountain Festival III

Calgary, AB – February 2026

The Goldfins Shine in Calgary

The Saskatoon Goldfins Swim Club, though small in numbers, proved their prowess at the 2026 Western Transmountain Festival III held on February 20-21 in Calgary, Alberta. With nine dedicated Age Group swimmers and Canadian Olympian Blake Tierney donning the Goldfins cap, the team showcased their skills and determination at this prestigious event.

Rising to the Challenge

For many of the Goldfins, this was their inaugural experience competing at a Senior level swim meet. Despite the pressure, they strove to secure a coveted spot in the finals, competing for one of the forty available places. Their efforts were commendable, with several swimmers achieving Top 40 finishes.

Notable Performances

Abigail Gauld demonstrated her talent in the breaststroke events, securing 24th, 27th, and 22nd places in the 200M, 50M, and 100M Breaststroke respectively. Zoe Gursky made her mark with a 36th place finish in the 200M Backstroke, while Cameron Harms impressed with a 12th place in the 800M Freestyle.

Everett Rempel managed to secure the 40th spot in the 100M Breaststroke and 25th in the 50M Breaststroke. Meanwhile, Blake Tierney delivered outstanding performances, clinching 1st place in both the 50M Fly and 400M Freestyle, in addition to a 2nd place in the 100M Freestyle and 5th in the 100M Fly.

Personal Bests and Improvements

The Goldfins collectively achieved 30 personal best long course times, with Farrah Aitken, Ivy Kellett, and Will Sothilingam achieving 100% personal bests. Notably, Ivy Kellett improved her 50M Fly time by an impressive 10.3%, while Farrah Aitken and Will Sothilingam each improved their times significantly in their respective events.

Qualifying Triumphs

The meet also saw the Goldfins swimmers reaching new heights with six new provincial qualifying time standards. Farrah Aitken qualified in the 50M Backstroke, Harper Bear in multiple events, and Will Sothilingam in the 50M Fly. Ivy Kellett achieved the Swim Saskatchewan A Long Course Qualifying Time Standard in the 50M Fly.

Looking Ahead

The Goldfins express their gratitude to Cascade Swimming for hosting this event and look forward to their upcoming competitions. They will be back in action on March 6 at the Little Caesars 2026 Winter Fun Meet and Goldfins Friday Night at the Races, followed by the Craven SPORT Services Racing Series #3 on March 7.

#GoldfinsRacing

The Saskatoon Goldfins have once again demonstrated that their size is no barrier to excellence. With their commitment and talent, they continue to make a significant impact in the swimming community.

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