Lubov Iliushechkina/Nodari Maisuradze (RUS) skate off with the gold medal
Russia's Lubov Iliushechkina/Nodari Maisuradze skated off with the gold medal while two Canadian teams finished second and third: Kirsten Moore-Towers/Dylan Moscovitch vaulted from fifth place to take the silver and Paige Lawrence/Rudi Swiegers claimed the bronze.
Overnight leaders Iliushechkina/Maisuradze opened their routine to “Conquest of Paradise”with a side by side triple Salchow followed by a high triple twist. They also produced a throw triple loop and difficult lifts, but she stumbled on the throw triple Lutz. The 2009 World Junior Champions earned 110.68 points accumulated 171.40 points overall to take their first gold on the Grand Prix. “This is just the result of all the work we've done at home”, Maisuradze said. “We've made a lot of changes in our training, especially in the way of training and it worked out.I think we did our job as we wanted it to do and I'm very happy”, Iliushechkina added.
Moore-Towers/Moscovitch delivered a dynamic program to “Les Miserables” that was highlighted by a triple twist, triple toe-double Axel sequence aas well as a throw triple loop and Salchow, but she crashed on the side by side triple Salchow. They won the Free Skating with 117.24 points and moved up to second at 170.92 points. The couple had come in as a late replacement for Jessica Dube/Bryce Davison (CAN) and won their first medal on the Grand Prix. “We went out there, we skated the best we could. It's the icing on the cake. It definitely shows that we belong at the international stage and that's very motivating for us. Now we're still going to skate and enjoy every moment of it, but there is a sense of belonging, and it's a nice feeling”, Moscovitch said.
Lawrence/Swiegers landed a triple twist and throw triple loop, but both singled an Axel. They scored 105.01 points and remained in third place with 161.15 points. For both Canadian couples it was their first Grand Prix medal and for Iliushechkina/Maisuradze it was their first Grand Prix title.”We're really excited that we came out and got a medal at Skate Canada”, Swiegers said. “It wasn't our best skate, but I feel that we fought for everything and we're happy with the result”, Lawrence noted.
Marissa Castelli/Simon Shnapir (USA) slipped from second to fourth. She fell on a throw triple Axel (159.85 points).
Alissa Czisny (USA) vaults from fourth, takes gold
Alissa Czisny (USA) came from fourth place to take the gold medal. Russia's Ksenia Makarova earned the silver and Amelie Lacoste of Canada captured the bronze. Both Makarova and Lacoste won their first medal on the Grand Prix.
Czisny put out a elegant performance to “Winter and Spring” by George Winston that featured a triple Lutz-double toeloop, a triple flip-double toeloop as well as three more triples and beautiful spins. She only missed a triple toeloop. The American scored 116.42 points and claimed the title with 172.37 points overall. “My performance tonight was all about going out there and trying to show all the improvements that I've made over the past couple of months”, Czisny commented.”I love the program and I loved doing it tonight.”
Makarova opened her routine to “Evita” by Andrew Lloyd Webber with a solid triple toe-triple toe, but some other triples were shaky. She picked up 107.10 points and accumulated 165.00 points. “I skated pretty well, much better than at my last competition and I'll keep on trying and hopefully I'll get to the Grand Prix Final”, Makarova told the press.
Lacoste completed a double Axel-double Axel sequence, a triple Lutz and two triple toeloops but fell on a triple flip to score 102.02 points. The Canadian totaled 157.26 points. “It's my first medal and I'm very proud. It's a big surprise. My goal coming here was top five so third position is very good for me. It's going to build my confidence for my next Grand Prix Skate America”, Lacoste said.
Overnight leader Cynthia Phaneuf (CAN) made a few errors and slipped to fourth (156.24 points).
Skate Canada International concludes Sunday with the Free Dance and the Exhibition Gala.
