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Figure skaters from all over the world put on a fair show in Victoria, British Columbia, during the HomeSense Skate Canada International on November 2-5, 2006.
Although skaters seemed still rusty from the summer off, skating is skating and that which we love. The top men faltered; Lambiel and Weir both used tours and the Olympics as excuses for their lack of stellar showings at Skate Canada. The US champ also commented that he is “getting old for a figure skater.” He’s 22. The ladies’ field was not nearly as star-studded as the men’s, but the female athletes managed to keep their skates under them – for the most part. Joannie Rochette excited her countrymen with a personal best overall score. Behind the scenes, acting as Technical Specialists, were so interesting characters you may recognize. Todd Sand, Jason Dungjen, and Sergei Ponomarenko made sure the ice skaters were duly rewarded – or penalized – for every move. Making their commentating debut for CTV/TSN were former Olympic pairs champions Jamie Salé and David Pelletier. Cash prizes were dished out to top winners. Gold medalists earned $18,000. Silver medals were worth $13,000, and bronze medalists were awarded $9,000. MenWorld and Skate Canada Champion Stephane Lambiel & silver medalist Daisuke Takahashi were separated by about 2 ½ points with 210.70 & 208.21. Lambiel triumphed despite placing seventh after a disastrous short program. Takahashi, a former World Junior Champion, chose classical music scores and Nikolai Morozov as his choreographer. Johnny Weir took the third podium spot with 198.70 points after he placed second in the short, with his routine toSilent Nick’s King of Chess, and fourth in the long with his program to Child of Nazareth by Maxime Rodriguez. Since he left coach Tatiana Tarasova, he is being instructed by Prescilla Hill. World Champion ice dancer Marina Anissina choreographed his routines. LadiesCanada’s sweetheart, Joannie Rochette had a great free skate (to Felix Gray’s Don Juan) that pushed her to the top spot from a fifth place short program finish with her Jimmy Hendrix routine. A team of people have helped make this figure skater stand out on the international circuits, including two current and three former coaches, and choreographers David Wilson and Sandra Bezic. The lovely Fumie Suguri of Japan also has a famous list of skating greats working to her benefit. She is currently coached by Nobuo Sato, and her routines to Bolero and a Jenkins compilation were choreographed by Alexander Zhulin and Lori Nichol. Fumie was the most consistent of the Skate Canada competition, placing second in both skates to earn the silver medal. Korean Yu-Na Kim was in first place after the short, but her fourth place long program earned her the bronze medal at Skate Canada this year. The reigning World Junior Champion skated to Tango de Roxane from Moulin Rouge, and The Lark Ascending by Ralph Vaughn Williams. Interestingly, her training schedule is split between Seoul, Korea and Toronto, Canada. PairsIt’s no surprise that the Zhang’s, while no relation to each other in artistry or blood, related well to the judges and the crowd. Their Spanish Caravan and Doors skating routines scored nearly 25 points above their closest competitors. Dan and Hao have strength and technique that is out of this world. This year they are focusing on connecting with their audience and getting their artistic presentation to match their power. Coach Peter Oppegard is hoping his couple will continue to gel on the ice – just as they have outside the rink. Rena Inoue and John Baldwin earned the silver medal at Skate Canada, but just barely. Their score of 166.32 was well below their Worlds ’06 personal best, and only .13 above the third place finishers. The US champions skated to The Soul of Spain and Puccini selections. Canadian National Figure Skating Champions, Valerie Marcoux and Craig Buntin were glad to medal in their home country. Their romantic programs were to Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White and L’Amour by Montes. Ice DanceThe Canadians ruled the roost in Skate Canada’s ice dancing competition. Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon were about 25 points above their countrymen at the end of the contest. The Canadian national champions and World silver medalists currently train in Lyon. Junior world champions Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir capitalized on the Italian’s fifth place original dance mark to grab the silver medal. Helped by coaches Igor Shpilband and Marina Zueva, this Canadian team scored 171.92 total. Former Italian national champions Federica Faiella and Massimo Scali put on a good show but lost the silver medal by only a point. Dramatic dynamo Anjelica Krylova is one of their coaches and choreographers in Detroit, so these ice dancers are sure to continue developing lyrically. Upcoming CompetitionsThe ISU Grand Prix continues with Trophee Eric Bompard, airing November 26th at 1:30 on ABC. The 2006 Cup of Russia will be televised December 3rd, from 4-6pm on ABC. Check the USFSA website for a list of events and broadcast dates.
The copyright of the article Skate Canada 2006 Results in Figure/Speed Skating is owned by Timbre Beck-Murphy. Permission to republish Skate Canada 2006 Results in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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