Aliona Savchenko/Robin Szolkowy (GER) claim the gold
Aliona Savchenko/Robin Szolkowy of Germany claimed the gold medal in the Pairs event Saturday at the Trophée Bompard in Paris. Vera Bazarova/Yuri Larionov of Russia earned the silver and Maylin Hausch/ Daniel Wende of Germany took the bronze.
Savchenko/Szolkowy put out an entertaining performance to "The Pink Panther" that featured a triple toe-triple toe sequence, a throw triple flip, difficult lifts and a throw triple Salchow in the last seconds of the program. The Olympic bronze medalists posted a new seasons best of 131.23 points and racked up a total of 197.88 points. "Today's performance was much better than last year (here in Paris). The audience liked the program and the new direction we've taken", Szolkowy said. "I'm never totally satisfied as there is no limit for perfection, but I'm pleased for today", Savchenko added.
Skating to "The Man in the Iron Mask", Bazarova/Larionov produced a big triple twist, a double Axel-double Axel sequence and strong lifts, but she fell on the throw triple flip. The couple from Perm scored 118.82 points, a seasons best, and took their second silver medal on the circuit at 183.00 points. "Unfortunately we had a big mistake today, on an element where we expected it the least", Bazarova commented. "We are very happy to have made the Grand Prix Final for the first time in our life. There is not much time to prepare, but we are very motivated and will work very hard", she continued.
Savchenko/Szolkowy and Bazarova/Larionov qualified for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final.
Hausch/Wende delivered a solid performance to "Prince of Persia" that included a double twist, throw triple Salchow and flip as well as a triple toe-double toe combination to earn a seasons best of 103.40 points. They totaled 157.42 points to take the first Grand Prix medal of their career. "Our program was much better than in Japan (at NHK Trophy). I woke up after ten seconds into the program! Our elements went well, we didn't make any big mistakes", Wende told the press.
Mylene Brodeur/John Mattatal (CAN) finished fourth at 157.42 points and Felicia Zhang/Taylor Toth (USA) came fifth (145.31 points).
Kiira Korpi (FIN) wins Ladies title
Finland's Kiira Korpi took the gold in the Ladies event at Trophée Bompard, the first Grand Prix gold medal for her country. U.S. Competitors Mirai Nagasu and Alissa Czisny came second and third.
Korpi's program to "Evita" was highlighted by a triple toe-triple toe combination, three other triples and good spins, but she crashed on a triple Lutz early into her routine. The 2007 European bronze medalist was ranked second in the Free Skating at 108.35 points but overall defended her overnight lead with 169.74 points.
"Of course I'm happy about this result although the program wasn't perfect today. The beginning was good, but then I had a really bad fall. I was a bit hurt, but then I pulled myself together and the rest of the program was ok and I felt like a fighter on the ice. It was rewarded with the gold medal here", Korpi told the press.
Performing to "Memoirs of a Geisha", Nagasu landed four clean triples and a double Axel but struggled with her layback spin, usually a strong element for her. The 17-year-old won the Free Skating with 109.07 points totaled 167.79 points. "I'm so mad right now because of that layback! It's like my best spin. But overall it was a lot better than China and I'm glad that I'm able to get my confidence back because after China it was really down", Nagasu commented.
Czisny's program to "Winter and Spring" by George Winston included three clean triples and excellent spins, but she made errors on some jumps. The American scored 104.30 points and moved up to third at 159.80 points overall. "First of all I'm a little disappointed with my program today. But I think I learned from this competition what I can work on and how to get ready for the Final. I'm really excited to get back to the Final again and I hope to put out good two programs there", Czisny noted. Czisny is the only Lady at Trophée Bompard to qualify for the Final.
Cynthia Phaneuf (CAN) came fourth (155.11 points) and reigning World Champion Mao Asada (JPN) placed fifth after some mistakes on her jumps.
Nathalie Pechalat/Fabian Bourzat (FRA) dance off with the gold
Nathalie Pechalat/Fabian Bourzat of France danced off with the gold
medal at Trophée Bompard, their second gold on the circuit this season. Russia's Ekaterina Riazanova/Ilia Tkachenko earned the silver, their first Grand Prix medal, and Madison Chock/Greg Zuerlein took the bronze.
Pechalat/Bourzat gave an emotional performance of their Charlie Chaplin program that featured beautiful lifts and intricate footwork. The lifts and the spin garnered a level four while the twizzles and the step sequences were a level three. The French couple picked up 96.34 points, a new seasons best, and accumulated 161.82 points. "There was more pressure on us than in China although there we competed against our main rivals for the European Championships (Federica Faiella/Massimo Scali), but we wanted to skate well for our coaches, our choreographer, costume designer, family, everyone who supports us and to be able to deliver two good programs and to share this medal with them is great. This gold medal has more value to us than the one from China", Pechalat explained.
Riazanova/Tkachenko turned in a strong dance to symphonic Mexican music as well, earning a level four for the lifts and the twizzles and a level two for the footwork. The Russian couple achieved a new seasons best with 85.98 points and had 146.79 overall. "It was a difficult competition for us. Katia wasn't feeling so well, but we managed to do a program without mistakes. We are very happy with the silver medal, It was a really good competition for us", Tkachenko commented.
Chock/Zuerlein performed an entertaining "Cabaret" program and
produced a level-three step sequence as well as level four twizzles and lifts. She only fell on a connecting step. The 2009 World Junior Champions scored 80.93 points which added up to 138.48 points. "We are very happy to get a bronze medal here. We are in our second year as seniors. We love our free skate, it's really fun to skate. Unfortunately I had a little slip up, but other than that I think we did well", Chock said. Pechalat/Bourzat qualified for the Grand Prix Final.
Pernelle Carron/Lloyd Jones (FRA) placed fourth at 126.94 points and Xintong Huang/Xun Zheng (CHN) were fifth with 123.10 points.
For full results, please refer to www.isu.org. The Trophee Eric Bompard concludes Sunday with the Exhibition Gala.
