Canadian marathon swimmer Joanie Guillemette-Simard competed on the FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix and FINA 10K Marathon Swimming World Cup races soon after her car was hit by a moose in Canada. Her accident was horrific as her car piled headlong into the moose crossing a road. Broken bones, terrible lacerations and huge black eyes marred her natural beauty.

But, being the tough competitor as she is, Guillemette-Simard did not let her injuries or time off ruin her plans to participate on the professional circuit. Despite one of her eyes being tremendously swollen and her face sore, she completed the Traversee international du lac st-Jean, the Traversee international du lace Memphremagog, and the Traversee internationale du lac Megantic in Quebec, Canada.

The personable young lady is now an educator and part of the Welcoming Committee of the Traversée internationale du lac St-Jean, a swim she has completed 3 times.

“I retired after the 2011 season and am now enjoying my job.” It is great to see Guillemette-Simard healthy and back to form.

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