N.S. swim team stranded in Montreal amid bad weather

A team of Nova Scotia swimmers is stuck in Montreal due to bad weather affecting flights.

A team of Nova Scotia swimmers is extending its stay in Montreal this week due to bad weather impacting flights.

The Atlantis Artistic Swimming Club travelled to Montreal over the weekend to compete at the Quebec invitationals.

“It is a good developmental event,” said athlete Gabrielle Leitao. “We can compete and get a feel for competition.”

The team – consisting of 15 athletes and five coaches and chaperones – was scheduled to fly out of Montreal Sunday night, but the ongoing storm across Eastern Canada repeatedly delayed the flight before it was ultimately cancelled.

“It’s been tremendously stressful,” said Tanya Kanellakos, volunteer travel manager for Atlantis Artistic Swimming Club. “It’s costing us over $2,000 a night (to stay at the hotel). Our chaperones and coaches are missing work. Athletes are missing school and practice.”

Kanellakos expressed frustration with seeing Wednesday flights with more than 20 seats available getting sold while her athletes were stuck in Montreal.

On Tuesday the team booked flights for Thursday afternoon.