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2008 BMO Canadian Figure Skating Championships - HighlightsJunior Ladies Long Program and the Senior Men's Short, Pairs Short, and Ladies Short Programs
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The 2008 BMO Canadian Figure Skating Championships continued Friday with the the Junior Ladies Long Program and the Senior Men's Short, Pairs Short, and Ladies Short Programs.
Kelsey McNeil (NB) won the Junior Ladies title, while Vanessa Grenier (QC) and Amanda Velenosi (QC) won silver and bronze, respectively.
McNeil, who stood in second after the short, opened her gentle and flowing routine with a double Axel, a double Lutz, a triple toeloop-double toeloop combination, and another double Axel. The 15-year-old put her hand down on the landing of a triple toeloop and struggled with another combination jump, but otherwise produced three level 4 spins. She showed excellent speed throughout her routine to Lyra Angelica, and placed first in the long (77.52 points) and overall (120.85 points) to win the title.
McNeil was very happy with her performance. "I felt that I just had to go out there and do my best. I just focused on what I had to do and had a lot of fun."
McNeil added that she feels she's improved on her speed and her spins since last season, and is contemplating moving up to the Senior level next season.
Grenier struggled with a triple Salchow-double toeloop-single loop in the opening of her Tango, but came back to land a triple toeloop-double toeloop and a double Axel-double toeloop combination. The 15-year-old later stepped out of a triple Salchow and turned out the landing of a double Axel, but otherwise delivered three level 4 spins and showed good expression throughout her routine. She placed second in the long with 77.05 points, and with a total score of 119.80 points, moved up to second place overall.
"I had a really good week and really good practices," Grenier later told the press. "I felt comfortable on the ice, and I knew it was going to go well today. I'm really happy with my performance."
Vanessa Juteau (QC), who stood in seventh after the short, placed third in the long (76.21 points) and fifth overall (116.70 points). The 17-year-old only made minor errors in her routine to Spanish music, which included a double Axel-double toeloop combination, a triple toeloop-double toeloop combination, and a double flip-double toeloop combination. She also landed a good triple toeloop and produced a very good level 4 combination change spin.
Velenosi skated a powerful and elegant routine to Dark Eyes, which featured a good double Axel-double Axel sequence and a triple toeloop-double toeloop combination. The 16-year-old, who showed very good interpretation and character of the music, also produced a very good level 4 spiral sequence and level 3 combination change spin. She placed fourth in the long with 74.70 points, but with a total score of 117.22 points, moved up to third place overall.
Cecylia Witkowski (BC/YT), who stood in 10th after the short, placed fifth in the long (74.16 points), and subsequently moved up to seventh overall (113.59 points). The 16-year-old, who skated to music from Les Retrouvailles by Yann Tiersen, really sold her performance to the crowd. Her jumps, most of which were clean, included a double Axel-double Axel sequence, a triple toeloop-double toeloop-single loop combination, a triple toeloop, and a double Axel.
Rebecca Addison (CO), who stood in first after the short, placed sixth in the long (73.51 points) and slipped to fourth overall with 116.92 points. The 16-year-old, who displayed gorgeous positions and use of her arms, opened her Carmen routine with a double Axel, but then fell on a triple Salchow. She also had struggled with her second double Axel and a triple Salchow-double toeloop combination, but otherwise produced two double Lutzes (one in combination with a double loop), and a very good level 4 combination change spin.
Kirsten Moore-Towers (WO), who stood in fifth after the short, placed seventh in the long and sixth overall (113.59).
Jessica-Amy Sergeant (AB/NT/NU) slipped from sixth to eighth overall, followed by Megan Ure (AB/NT/NU).
Jeffrey Buttle (NO) led the men in the short program, followed by Patrick Chan (CO) and Christopher Mabee (WO).
Skating to last year's program Adios Nonino, Buttle opened his routine with a triple flip-triple toeloop combination and a triple Axel. The three-time and defending champion, who exuded a new-found confidence, also delivered a triple Lutz as well as very good spins and footwork. Along with a standing ovation from the crowd, he was awarded 80.80 points for a first place finish.
Buttle felt that he did well compared to that of his performances at Skate Canada and Cup of Russia earlier this season.
"I'm extremely happy," said the 25-year-old. "My level felt very good and I've trained really hard coming into this [event]. There was no reason for me not to go out there and enjoy myself, and I did. I skated really well and had a good time."
Buttle was also asked about the big grin he had on his face during the entire warm-up.
"I think it had to do with my training," he explained. "I just felt so confident and I've been skating really well. So when I got out there, it felt like I was at the same level as I was at previous competitions - not this season but in the past. To hear them call my name and have that feeling felt really good."
Chan fell on his opening triple Axel, but recovered quickly to produce an otherwise flawless routine. Skating with a maturity beyond his years, the 17-year-old landed a solid triple flip-triple toeloop combination and triple Lutz. He earned a level 4 and positive GOEs on all of his spins, and the edges on his level 3 circular and straightline footwork were strong and silent. The 2007 Junior National silver medalist earned 73.42 points for a second place finish.
"I enjoyed myself a lot this time in Vancouver," Chan later told the press. The crowd was great and I had a warm feeling from them. Before I went out for my short program, I felt really great physically and mentally, so I've been pretty good this week so far. Hopefully tomorrow works just as well."
Mabee struggled a bit with his opening triple flip-triple toeloop combination, but otherwise produced a solid triple Axel and triple Lutz in his dramatic routine to Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia. The 2007 silver medalist also delivered good spins and footwork, and is currently third with 70.46 points.
"I really felt awful in the warmup," confessed the 22-year-old. "I felt like garbage. My jumps were all over the place, so I was really happy to come off the ice and re-focus and get ready for the job I needed to do. I'm really proud of myself for doing that."
Vaughn Chipeur (AB/NT/NU) delivered a fast and powerful routine which featured an enormous triple Axel. Although he stepped out his second jump on a triple flip-triple toeloop combination, the 23-year-old otherwise produced a triple Lutz and three level 4 spins. He is currently in fourth with 69.10 points.
Back from a three-year hiatus of modeling, acting, and car racing, Fedor Andreev (EO) placed a respectable fifth with 67.16 points. The 25-year-old seemed to enjoy every second of his time on the ice, and it showed in his powerful and exuberant performance to Diva Mia. He nailed all his jumps, which included a triple flip-triple toeloop combination, a triple Axel, and a triple Lutz. He nearly lost it on the landing of a flying sitspin, and later struggled a bit with his ending change combination spin. He also received a deduction for a time violation, but otherwise drew the audience into his joyful routine and was awarded with a standing ovation.
Shawn Sawyer (QC) landed a solid triple flip-triple toeloop in his routine to Another Brick in the Wall, but then two-footed the landing of a triple Axel and later popped a Lutz. The 23-year-old otherwise skated a clean program which included two good level 4 spins and level 3 straightline footwork. He is currently in sixth place with 64.00 points.
Kevin Reynolds (BC/YT) is currently in seventh place with 60.10 points. The 17-year-old landed a quadruple Salchow (albeit a forward lean) before competing a single toeloop. He otherwise produced a good triple Axle, three level 4 spins, and level 3 circular and straightline footwork.
Ken Rose (CO) sits in eighth place with 58.42 points after a fairly clean skate. Focused and determined, the 21-year-old landed a triple flip-triple toeloop combination, a double Axel, and a triple Lutz. Though he received a level 4 on two of his spins, he was only awarded a level 1 on both his circular and straightline footwork.
Ian Martinez (QC) is in a close ninth with 58.28 points. He turned on the Latin charm right from the opening pose in his Salsa routine, which received not one negative GOE. The 19-year-old, who swiveled and shimmied the crowd right into the palm of his hand, landed a triple Lutz-triple toeloop, a triple flip, and a double Axel. Though his footwork and spins are not up to par with the top skaters, he nevertheless enhanced those elements with the use of sultry hip and shoulder movements, playing to the already enthusiastic audience.
Karolin Metivier (QC), who replaced Emanuel Sandhu when he withdrew, is currently in 10th place with 56.85 points. The 21-year-old gave a good performance which included a triple Lutz-double toeloop, a double Axel, and a triple loop out of footwork.
Anabelle Langlois and Cody Hay (QC) placed first in the Pairs Short program, followed closely by Meagan Duhamel and Craig Buntin (QC) and Kyra Moscovitch and Dylan Moscovitch (WO).
Langlois (26) and Hay (24) opened their routine with clean and synchronized side-by-side triple toeloops, but then they had a crashy landing on the triple twist and Hay later stumbled during their circular footwork sequence. Despite the errors, the current bronze medalists otherwise gave a solid and confident performance to Historia de un amor, which also included a throw triple flip, a good Lasso lift, and a very good backward-inside death spiral. The judges awarded them with 62.73 points for a first place finish.
"It feels great," said Hay, when asked how it felt to be in first place. "The week's been really good. Anabelle and I, we felt really good on the ice all week. Everything's been going as planned so far. So far so good."
Duhamel (22) and Buntin (27) placed second with 61.48 points in their first nationals as a team (Buntin won three national titles with former partner Valerie Marcoux). The 2007 Nebelhorn Trophy silver medalists made only minor errors in their powerful and expressive routine to Best Latin Tango, which featured a strong double twist and solid side-by-side triple toeloops. Duhamel put her hand down on a throw triple flip, but the team otherwise produced two level 4 spins and a difficult lift.
"Meagan and I have been together seven months now," Craig explained, when asked about their preparation coming into the event. "The work we've put in over the last seven months is unbelievable. I couldn't explain it here. But just to be here, personally competing back in Vancouver... I haven't had a competition here since Canadians in 97'. We just love what we do and we're here to compete."
The brother-sister team of Kyra Moscovitch (14) and Dylan Moscovitch (23) electrified the crowd with their upbeat routine to Swing Kids, which featured side-by-side triple toeloops, a throw triple flip, and excellent side-by-side flying camel combination spins. They placed third with 57.01 points.
"Tonight was wonderful," said Dylan. "Every time we skate, we come out to do what we've been training to do. We really enjoy our skating and our program. We just feel very confident and we had fun out there. The week's been great so far. Great group of skaters in the event and we're just happy to be here."
Jessica Miller and Ian Moram (BC/YT) are currently in fourth with 55.61 points. Their routine to Wayfering Pilgrim, which demonstrated a new softness and refinement to their skating this year, was highlighted by side-by-side double Axels and a very good lift. The only errors came when Miller stepped out of a throw triple loop and the team fell out of synch a bit on their side-by-side flying camel spins.
Jessica Dubé and Bryce Davison (QC) found themselves in a disappointing fifth (54.32 points) after a disastrous skate filled with errors. Dubé doubled her jump on the side-by-side triple Salchows, while Davison had a balance check on his. The defending champions executed a solid double twist and Axel lift, but then Dubé fell on a throw triple loop and later stumbled during the straightline footwork sequence.
Taylor Steele and Christopher Richardson (WO) made only minor mistakes in their routine, which featured side-by-side double Axels, a good Axel lift, and two level 4 spins. They are currently sixth with 52.78 points.
Mylène Brodeur and John Mattatall (NS) are currently in seventh (52.67 points), followed by Rachel Kirkland and Eric Radford (CO) who earned 50.46 points.
Joannie Rochette (QC) is the current leader after the Ladies Short program, followed closely by Mira Leung (BC/YT) and Myriane Samson (QC).
Rochette opened her short program with a strong double Axel, but then fell on the second jump of a triple flip-triple toeloop. The defending champion quickly recovered to produce a triple Lutz, a level 3 layback spin, very good level three straightline footwork, and two good spins. She earned 59.32 for her dynamic and intense routine to piano concertos by Tchaikovsky and Schumann, which was skated with speed and flow.
Rochette later told the press that she didn't like skating last. "You have to wait and re-warmup a bit," she explained. "I had a little problem with my skates, re-tying them like 10 times."
Overall, the 22-year-old felt she did well and enjoyed her program. "I felt good over my skates," said Rochette, "and I was really glad especially to try the triple-triple. It's the first time in a big event like this."
Skating with a newfound softness and lightness, Leung nailed her opening triple Lutz-double loop combination. The 2007 silver medalist also landed a triple flip and double Axel in her new Rachmaninoff routine, which was created on Christmas eve. She also produced two good level four spins and a level 3 layback, earning 58.24 points for a second place finish.
Leung felt good about her performance and was excited that she had a chance to skate in front of her home crowd. "I looked it as a preview of 2010 because same venue - same crowd. I was really happy with my skate tonight."
Leung explained that after the Grand Prix season she felt that her other short program didn't allow her to perform to her full potential. "I wanted to change my program and we ended up doing it on Christmas Eve," said the 18-year-old. "I'm glad we did the change because everything's worked so well here."
Samson made only a minor error in her lyrical routine to Within, which featured a double Axel, a triple Lutz-double loop combination, and a triple flip. The 19-year-old missed grabbing her foot during a layback spin, but otherwise delivered two level 4 spins as well as very good level 3 straightline footwork. She is currently in third with 54.88 points.
"I had really good training this year," Samson later told the press. "So I just wanted to give like a little show - to show the people my program."
Cynthia Phaneuf of Quebec is currently fourth (53.49 points) after performing a confident and melodic routine to You are so Beautiful. The 20-year-old landed a strong double Axel and triple Lutz-double toeloop combination, but then singled a flip. She also struggled a bit on her flying sitspin, but otherwise produced a very good level 3 layback spin and straightline footwork, and a level 4 change combination spin.
Erika Tisluck (QC) stepped out of a double Axel in her elegant performance to To Love You More, but otherwise delivered a triple flip-double toeloop combination, two level 4 spins, and a level 4 spiral sequence. The 16-year-old finished fifth with 49.06 points.
Kristen Walker (AB/NT/NU) skated a flawless routine to Moroccan Roll, which featured a triple toeloop-double toeloop combination, a triple Salchow, and a double The 21-year-old is currently sixth with 48.28 points.
Lesley Hawker (CO) is in a close seventh with 48.20 points. The 2007 bronze medalist had a tight landing on her triple Lutz-double loop combination and doubled a flip, but otherwise gave a clean performance.
Jessica Dubé finished eighth with 46.76 points. The 20-year-old landed a double Axel and triple Lutz-double toeloop combination, but fell on a triple Salchow. She later lost her center during her change combination spin, which resulted in -.60 GOE.
Kathryn Kang (BC/YT) is currently ninth (44.77 points), followed by Erin Scherrer (WO) 44.35 points.
The event continues with the Senior Pairs and Men's Long Programs, Senior Free Dance, and Junior Men's Long Program.
