The World Series is a new FINA event that spans three continents in three weeks, with contests scheduled in Mexico and China later this month. The top eight divers on individual Olympic events and the top six synchronized teams from the 2007 World Championships were invited to participate in the World Series.

Richeson and Dumais, who were fourth at the World Championships, scored 388.35 points to take fifth at the World Series. World Champions Qin Kai and Wang Feng of China were first at 441.84, and Canadians Alexandre Despatie and Arturo Miranda, the silver medalists at Worlds, were second with 416.76. The World Series bronze went to Great Britain’s Ben Swain and Nicholas Robinson-Baker, who scored 402.66 points.

Foster scored 257.50 points in her semifinal, finishing seventh in the final overall standings. World champion Guo Jingjing of China won the gold with 363.40 points. Russia’s Yuliya Pakhalina, who was fifth at Worlds, scored 359.00 points for silver, beating out China’s Wu Minxia, who settled for 332.80 points and a bronze at the World Series after winning the silver medal at the World Championships. Chinese divers also won the other two events contested Saturday, including men’s 10-meter – the one event they failed to win at the World Championships in March. This time, Lin Yue scored 534.90 points for gold, followed by teammate Zhou Luxin at 505.95. Russia’s Gleb Galperin, who won the world title in March, took the bronze with 446.55 points.

Chen Roulin and Wang Xin, the current world champions, won the women’s 10-meter synchro gold with 352.08 points.

With the first leg of the World Series under wraps, the divers now head to Mexico City, where the second leg will be contested September 7-8. The final leg will be held in China on September 15-16.

Joining Dumais, Richeson and Foster on Team USA are David Boudia (Noblesville, Ind.) and Thomas Finchum (Indianapolis, Ind.), who won a World Series bronze in men’s 10-meter synchro on Saturday.

- USA DIVING –
Featuring America’s best divers, USA Diving is the national governing body for the sport of diving. Headquartered in Indianapolis, USA Diving offers diversified programs geared toward the broadest number of diving enthusiasts, from the novice to the world champion. USA Diving conducts approximately 40 regional and national events annually and is responsible for training and selecting teams that represent the United States at international events such as the Olympic Games, World Championships and World Cup. For more information, visit www.usadiving.org.