Rennes Lindsay’s first final came on Day 5 of the Canadian Age Group Championships.

The middle distance 400-metre freestyle event was one of her specialties and she had breezed into the final earlier in the day, finishing second in her heat.

At the evening final at Calgary’s Olympic-distance Talisman Centre pool, the 13-year-old was only a couple strokes away from a repeat medal performance. Last year she won bronze in the 11-12 category.

“I really wanted to do the same,” she said this morning from her home in Whitehorse. “It was challenging because I’ve lost some of my endurance because of my foot.”

Nearly three months ago, the long-distance swimmer suffered a foot injury – likely from overstretching – that has hindered her training leading up to the competition. She wasn’t able to put in as many laps in the pool as she would have liked, but is happy now as the foot is almost back to 100 per cent.

With the starting buzzer, Lindsay rocketed off the block to an early lead.

“Rennes was in the lead for that race,” said older sister Cassis who cheered poolside. “She just zoomed ahead. It was so exciting to watch.”

But Lindsay wasn’t able to keep the lead, as stroke by stroke, her competitors gained on her. She finished only two seconds off the podium.

“That was the endurance I was missing,” she said. “I know what I need to work on next year.”

Known for her strong finishes, she plans on getting that endurance back.

Lindsay also swam to an eighth in the straight-to-final 1,500-free event, fifth in the 800-free, 10th in the 200 free and 10th in the 2.5-kilometre open-water swim, which took place yesterday at Arbour Lake in Calgary.

At her third nationals, older sister Cassis had two top 20 swims. She was 20th in the 100 free and 11th in the 50 free.

The sprinter also came 39th in the 100 fly and 30th in the 50 fly.

“Nationals is always pretty exciting. It’s huge. Everyone is so fast,” she said.

The competition used Talisman Centre’s two 50-metre pools and the 15-and-over competition was held in the addition pool. Shallower, but with more natural light, it was difficult for any of the swimmers to post personal-best times.

“I was so ready. I felt like I was going to smash my pbs,” said Cassis. “I felt fit.”

She was happy with her races and knows what techniques she needs to improve for next year.

The Lindsay sisters were joined by rookie nationals swimmer, Hannah Kingscote. She had a few top 35 performances in the 50 backstroke and 100 backstroke. She also competed in 50 and 100 butterfly.

After a successful season, the Lindsays are quick to thank The Aboriginal Sport Circle, Sport Yukon, their coach and their parents for supporting them this season and making their competition possible.

The swimmers are now looking forward to six weeks off of training.

“We get to relax,” said Cassis. “We get to stay up late and not pay the consequences.”

The Glacier Bears Swim Club practice starts up again in September.