DRESDEN, Germany – Mia Vallée of Beaconsfield, Que., earned her first international victory on Thursday winning the women’s one-metre springboard at the Dresden International junior diving competition.

Competing in the 14-15 age group, Vallée earned 323.45 points to edge Maria Coburn of the U.S. second at 322.60. Annika Miethig of Germany was third at 321.45. There were 27 entries.

‘’It was a strong field and I knew it would be difficult to win,’’ said Vallée, 15. ‘’So I’m pretty happy. The key was reverse one and half dive which went well and it’s a dive I pretty much have trouble with.’’

On women’s 16-18 platform, Sarah Jodoin di Maria of Laval, Que., was seventh in her international debut. Olivia Chamandy of Pointe-Claire, Que., was ninth.

Jodoin di Maria trains at Club l’Envol which doesn’t have a platform for diving. She travels twice a week to the pool at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal for platform training.

“I train in Montreal on Friday and Sunday nights,” said Jodoin di Maria.  “I came here without big expectations and I’m really pleased to do so well at my first international competition.

Félix Leathead of Montreal was eighth on men’s 16-18 three-metre with Ryan Grover of Barrie, Ont., 25^th.

‘’I felt confident for the finals because I had a strong prelims,’’ said Leathead, 17. ‘’But I put too much pressure on myself and that showed on the first dive in the final. I gained some ground in the standings on the other dives but it wasn’t enough.’’

Competition continues through to Sunday.

Full results: Protokolle Event

by Louis Daignault for Diving Canada