Canadian divers Abel, Ware move on to finals in three-metre springboard

RIO DE JANEIRO – Canadian divers Jennifer Abel and Pamela Ware both advanced to the finals of the individual three-metre springboard at the Rio Olympic Games on Saturday.

Abel, from Laval, Que., finished third overall with 343.45 points while Ware, from Greenfield Park, Que., placed ninth with 318.25.

The top 12 divers of 18 advanced to Sunday’s final.

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China’s Tingmao Shi led the field with 385 points. Zi He, also of China, was second with 364.05.

Abel and Ware are hoping for medals in the individual event after narrowly missing the podium in the synchronized three-metre springboard last Sunday.

READ MORE: Rio 2016: Canadian divers Abel and Ware finish fourth in Olympic synchro

The 24-year-old Abel scored just 58.50 on her first and last dives but earned strong scores over the next three. Abel’s fourth dive – a forward 2 1/2 somersault with two twists – gave her her top score of 79.90.

Ware, 23, saved her best dive for last, a forward 2 1/2 somersault with one twist that earned her 69 points.

Abel won gold in the individual three-metre at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto.