LOUGHBOROUGH, England — A contingent of four McGill University swimmers made their mark overseas this week, helping Team Canada deliver a decisive performance at the inaugural Canada–Great Britain Dual Swim Meet, held July 3–4 at Loughborough University's 50-metre pool.
Canada won both the men's and women's titles in the dual-format event, which featured top varsity swimmers from 10 Canadian universities. The women won by a score of 144-119, while the men's margin of victory was 181-83. The two-day competition resulted in Canadians earning gold in 26 of 40 total events. The swimmers were selected based on their performances at the 2025 U SPORTS championships in Toronto last March.
Among the McGill standouts was
Loïc Courville-Fortin, a biochemistry freshman from Repentigny, Que., who captured gold in the men's 200-metre backstroke with a time of 2:02.48. Courville-Fortin was third in the 100 back (56.37) and sixth in the 50 back. He also contributed on three relays, including a gutsy anchor leg in the final event of the meet—just 10 minutes after a grueling sixth-place finish in the 200 IM —propelling Canada's C squad to a second-place finish. In the B squad of the 400 medley relay, he helped the foursome claim a silver-medal finish.
On the women's side,
Iris Tinmouth, a science junior from Comox, B.C., turned in two standout performances. She claimed third in the tightly-contested 400 freestyle with a personal best of 4:22.09 on Day 1, then broke the nine-minute barrier for the first time in her career to take gold in the 800 freestyle on Day 2, clocking 8:59.65.
Emilia Mastromatteo, a science junior from Kenora, Ont., turned in three top-six finishes. She secured bronze in the 100 breaststroke with a personal best of 1:11.30 and was third in the 50 breast (33.72). She also helped Canada win the women's 4x50 medley relay on Day 2 with a lifetime-best breaststroke split. Mastromatteo also raced in the 50 back (30.12, fourth fastest time but fifth overall due to scoring rules) and swam backstroke for Canada's B squad in the 400 medley relay, which placed fourth.
Emilie de Chazal, an education sophomore from Zug, Switzerland, had a breakthrough swim in the 200 butterfly, dropping over 3.3 seconds off her personal best to finish third in 2:17.69. She was fourth in the 100 fly (1:03.51) and also competed in the 100 fly (1:03.51), registering the fourth-fastest time overall but finishing fifth due to meet scoring rules limiting points to two athletes per country in each race. She also contributed to a fourth-place finish for Canada in the 400 medley relay.
McGill head coach
Peter Carpenter, who served as an assistant on the Canadian coaching staff, praised the event's success and the performances of his student-athletes.
"The meet wrapped up with some incredible performances," said Carpenter. "As this was the first time this had ever been done, we didn't know what to expect. While there were some hurdles to overcome, we left victorious on both sides of the meet and most importantly with new British friends who want this tradition to continue—and as often as possible. It was a wonderful experience for all."
Canada swept several podiums during the meet, including the men's 100m butterfly and women's 50m fly. The Canadian contingent also dominated the relay events, highlighted by victories in the 400m medley, 400m freestyle, and 200m medley relays on both the men's and women's sides.
"What a successful dual meet," said U of T Varsity Blues head coach
Byron MacDonald, who also served as bench boss for the U SPORTS all-stars. "The number of team members that swam lifetime bests was impressive and shows the value of this initiative for sure. I just love the excitement and smiles all around from both teams during such a great event.
"This overseas tour may be one of the most important things the coaches have done for U SPORTS swimming," noted MacDonald about the initiative. "It has provided the athletes with such a motivational push and a great, fun, experience They get to compete in an international setting that is exciting and will help to advance their swimming careers."
The Canada–Great Britain Dual Meet was the result of a collaboration between U SPORTS, British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS), Swim Ontario and other partners, aimed at providing international racing experience to university athletes not currently on national teams.
McGill Results Recap:
Loïc Courville-Fortin (Repentigny, Que. / Biochemistry):
1st – 200 backstroke
3rd – 100 backstroke (56.37)
6th – 50 backstroke (26.71)
6th – 200 individual medley (2:06.83)
Relays – (2nd in 400 medley B Finals , 4x50 medley C Finals)
Iris Tinmouth (Comox, B.C. / Science):
2nd – 800 freestyle (PB – 8:59.65)
3rd – 400 freestyle (PB – 4:22.09)
Emilia Mastromatteo (Kenora, Ont. / Science):
1st – 4x50 medley relay (breast leg)
3rd – 100 breaststroke (PB – 1:11.30)
3rd – 50 breaststroke (33.72)
5th – 50 backstroke (4th-fastest time)
Relays – 400 medley relay B Finals (4th;backstroke)
Emilie de Chazal (Zug, Switzerland / Education):
3rd – 200 butterfly (PB – 2:17.69)
5th – 100 butterfly (4th-fastest time – 1:03.51)
Relays – 400 medley relay B Finals (4th)
OFFICIAL RESULTS
SOURCE:
Earl Zukerman
Communications Officer
Athletics & Recreation
McGill University
514-983-7012 (cell)
earl.zukerman@mcgill.ca
