2007 Canadian Fitness and Figure Nationals

June 30, 2007 - by gene x hwang

Edmonton, AB, Canada -A year after five pro cards were handed out, just the standard three new IFBB Pros were crowned at the 2007 Canadian Fitness and Figure Championships.  Last years repeat tall class fitness champion Marnie Holley took the pro card in fitness as the always improving Allison Black Stirling won the short class. Holley, a former pole vaulter and a tremendous athlete edged Quebec's Chantal Dicaire - who won the best routine award - to take the class.  Alberta's own Kristin Lougheed took third in her first nationals with an impressive showing. Renee Berard had another strong routine and looked good representing British Columbia proudly.

Second to Stirling was Sherry Ann Boudreau while Jennifer Jewell took third.  Jewell pulled her hip abductor and may have a hernia, but she sustained the injury during her prejudging routine and was incredibly able to finish it out.  One of the most anticipated debuts was that of Allison Ethier, a former Fitness America champion.  As expected, Ethier wowed the crowd with her routine with multiple aerial moves coordinated perfectly with her routine.  Although she didn't win the best routine award, it sure seemed like her routine was one of the best.

In the Masters category it was Cee Anna Kerr who took the class and the ensuing pro card.  Tracey MacDonald was also in the mix, but didn't make the top three surprisingly even though she was crisply conditioned and showed off her great lines.  She may have been too well conditioned if anything.  Second went to Deanne Brown while Kumal Johal rounded out the top three.

Another impressive physique in the masters class was that of Jennifer Martyniuk, a former bodybuilder who showcased her fantastic shape with nice muscularity, but might have been deemed too muscular.  Her shape though and presence was outstanding and a top five finish was deserved.

In the figure short class, it was Natalie Paterson all the way.  The judges liked her overall presentation going for a smoother rather than more conditioned look.  Second place went to Nicole Boyne who had an outstanding midsection with impressive ab development and had recently given birth.  Third went to perenially top finisher Tracey MacDonald.  MacDonald was in amazing shape and very tight and conditioned.  Last years winner, Bonnie McKechnie was a bit smoother this year and with her impressive muscularity, was punished by the judges for that.

Maranda Lessard also had nice shape and lines but wasn't conditioned enough to place higher.

In the medium class, the most improved athlete was Leah Berti who looked fantastic withi improvements throughout her physique.  However, this was a tough battle between Fawnia Dietrich and Lisa Lattery.  Lattery may have had a bit more muscle and better shoulders, but Dietrich was very balanced and took the class, while Deanne Brown took third.  Melissa Lefebvre also looked good but might have also got docked for her muscularity.

Medium Tall was Macey Bodreau from start to finish.  New comer Melanie Cheang though was impressive and just needed to work on her posing and will surely be a threat to win the class in future competitions.  Lori-Ann Redding looked impressive with her tiny waist and nice v-taper but this was a very competitive class.  Jen Reece had to be considered a threat but the judges called her in the last callout in the first round and by then it was too late.

Kyla Lang had great shape and Courtney Roswell also looked good.  Lang should have been in the top five and was probably overlooked since she was towards the end of the lineup where the lighting was not as bright.  Look for big things from Lang in the future. Another athlete that made big changes was J-me Hannay.  Hannay came in looking big, hard and conditioned but this year she was penalized for that.  Hannay looks like she could jump into bodybuilidng and do well with the impressive physique she's built.

The tall class was a fight between Jeni Briscoe and Christina Dzieduszycki with both being top three last year.  BC's Briscoe was the fan favorite and and won out in the end.  2008 may be Dzieduszycki's year, although Kim Tilden and Charlene Akhurst both were looking great.  Tilden was underrated last year and moved up many placings this year, deservedly so.  Akhurst also has a nicely curved physique that would do well in the U.S.  Other strong physiques in the class were Sheri Fisher and Robin Spence and a younger athlete to keep an eye on in Martine Thebeau who took the stage at just 22-years-old.

With the North Americans being the only other competition available for these Canadian athletes to turn pro, hopefully many of the competitors will compete later in the year in Cleveland.

Check out our message boards to discuss the show, post your thoughts and chat with athletes from the competition like Allison Ethier!  

Results
Fitness Overall:   Marnie Holley* Short Class 1) Allison Black-Stirling 2) Sherry Boudreau 3) Jennifer Jewell Tall Class 1) Marnie Holley 2) Chantal Dicaire 3) Kristin Lougheed Masters Figure 1) CeaAnna Kerr* 2) Deanne Brown 3) Kumal Johal * Eligible for IFBB Pro Card	Figure Overall:   Jeni Briscoe* Short Class 1) Natalie Patterson 2) Nicole Boyne 3) Tracey McDonald Medium Class 1) Fawnia Dietrich 2) Lisa Lattery 3) Deanne Brown Medium Tall Class 1) Macey Boudreau 2) Melanie Cheang 3) CeaAnna Kerr Tall Class 1) Jeni Briscoe 2) Chrstina Dzieduszycki 3) KimTilden * Eligible for IFBB Pro Card