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2008 BMO Canadian Figure Skating Championships - HighlightsSenior Pairs and Men's Long Programs, Senior Free Dance, |
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The 2008 BMO Canadian Figure Skating Championships continued Saturday with the the Senior Pairs and Men's Long Programs, Senior Free Dance, and Junior Men's Long Program.
Anabelle Langlois and Cody Hay (QC) won their first senior national title with less than a point to spare. Jessica Dubé and Bryce Davison (QC) rose from fifth to second place overall to settle for silver, while Meagan Duhamel and Craig Buntin (QC) took the bronze.
Dubé and Davison wove a spell over the audience in their routine to The Blower's Daughter, easily placing first in the long with 120.54 points. Their focus on each other was so intense, it was almost palatable, and the only error came when Dubé fell on a throw triple Lutz.
"We're pretty happy with our skate today," said Davison. "It went very much as we had hoped it would, except of course, the throw Lutz. But we're really happy winning the free after a short like that. I think it shows what we're really made of and I think we're going to learn from this. That's the way we're looking at it right now and we're looking forward to the rest of the season."
The 2007 champions also produced a very good double twist, solid side-by-side double Axel-double Axels (sequence) and triple Salchows, two level 4 spins, and three excellent lifts.With a total score of 174.86, they rose from fifth to second place overall.
"I was a bit scared," admitted Dube, when asked about the possibility of not making world team. "But I had the singles and it gave me more confidence. We just wanted to do great in the long, and that's what we did."
"We had heard that it was really difficult from a lot of different view points," said Davison, when asked what it felt like to chase the title as opposed to defending it. "Craig [Buntin] just talked to me earlier, and it's true. It is very difficult. I don't think we really realized it until after our short program. It's a different feeling going in. It's not that we buckled under pressure, we just had an uncharacteristic performance in the short and we were kind of dumfounded. But you have to fight from there and it's what every athlete does."
For the rest of the season, the team plans to focus on the quality rather than the quantity of their programs.
Langlois and Hay, who skated with confidence and joy, finished second in the long with 112.28 points. Skating to music from the Dr. Zhivago soundtrack, the team opened with a huge throw triple Salchow, followed by perfectly synchronized side-by-side triple toeloop-double toeloops. Langlois later put her hand down on the side-by-side triple Salchows (downgraded to double), but they otherwise produced a big throw triple flip and three very good lifts. With a total score of 175.01 points, the 2007 bronze medalists placed first overall by less than a point.
Langlois was visibly stunned when the marks came up. "It feels amazing," said the 26-year-old."We worked so hard all year. We didn't have the Grand Prix season we wanted. We kept moving up, but we had a lot of adjustments to do all season."
Duhamel and Buntin displayed beautiful speed, flow, and edging throughout their long program to Tosca, carrying the crowd with them as the program progressed. They opened with clean side-by-side triple toeloop-double toeloops, followed by an excellent Axel lift. Buntin doubled his jump on the side-by-side triple Salchows, but the team otherwise produced an excellent throw triple loop and throw triple Lutz, as well as very good level 3 straightline footwork and a level 4 spiral sequence. They earned 108.80 points, as well as an instant standing ovation from the audience, and placed third overall with (170.28 points.
"Today was awesome," said Buntin. "Just to be out here after seven months together... we've worked so hard to get to this point. To come out and really perform like a pair and get on the podium and get to Worlds. We set a pretty hefty plan for ourselves when we got together, and this was the first step. It's exactly where we needed to be and we're really proud of ourselves."
"Everything!" Buntin laughingly replied, when asked what they will be focusing on for the rest of the season. We have so much work to do. You know, Worlds are in, what? Two months? Four Continents in a couple of weeks... We have to put in four months worth of work in the next two months. Stroking, lines, edges, posture, expression... everything. And we're prepared to do that work and come out even stronger at worlds."
Rachel Kirkland and Eric Radford (CO), who stood in eighth after the short, finished fourth in the long (106.60 points) and rose to fifth place overall (157.06 points). The team, which carried the crowd with them, performed their routine to music from "X" (an anime series) with real intensity. The start of the program was soft and gentle and slowly built to a climax in the final lift. The highlights included a throw triple twist, two very good level 4 spins, and an excellent level 3 Axel lift. They also completed side-by-side triple Salchows, side-by-side double loop-double toeloops, and a clean throw triple Salchow.
Kyra Moscovitch and Dylan Moscovitch (WO) placed fifth in the long (103.75 points) and slipped to fourth overall (160.76 points). The brother-sister team delivered a solid routine to Sheherazade which featured a triple twist, synchronized side-by-side double Axel-double toeloops and side-by-side triple toeloops, a throw triple Salchow and triple Flip, excellent side-by-side flying camel combination spins, and good level 3 straightline footwork.
The team, which received a standing ovation, didn't receive points for their second lift (toe overhead) as Dylan was ¼ rotation short of the minimum required rotations for a lift. Their speed, unison, and matching lines are unlike any other team, and they are are incredibly fast and in sync.
Jessica Miller and Ian Moram (BC/YT) slipped from fourth to sixth overall (153.92 points) after placing sixth (98.31 points) in the long. The team attempted a throw quadruple Salchow, but Miller put her hand down on the landing and fell out of it. She later fell out of a throw triple loop as well. Moram but his hand down on the landing of his jump in the side-by-side triple toeloops, while Miller doubled hers.
Despite the errors, Miller and Moram have shown a marked improvement in their presentation and interpretation of music. Their unison and and how they relate to each other was also noted.
Mylène Brodeur and John Mattatall (NS) maintained seventh place overall (153.92 points), while Taylor Steele and Christopher Richardson (WO) slipped to ninth (137.07 points).
Patrick Chan (CO) won the Men's event with a new record score for Canadian Nationals. The 17-year-old also became the youngest man to ever with the Canadian title. Jeffrey Buttle (NO) placed a close second, while Shawn Sawyer (QC) rose to capture the bronze.
Giving the performance of his lifetime to the Four Seasons, Chan also presented a lesson in how to skate, interpret and perform a long program. All of his elements received positive Grades of Execution (GOE) from the judges. The 2007 World Junior silver medalist opened with a solid triple Axel, triple flip-triple toeloops, and a triple Lutz. He followed up with excellent circular footwork which embodied the music and accented every beat.
The teen also produced a solid triple Lutz-double toeloop-double loop combination, as well as three more triple jumps, and three very good level 4 spins. The crowd clapped throughout his excellent straightline footwork and were on their feet before the program ended. He placed first in the long with a record 159.26 points, and with a total score of 232.68 points, won his first national title.
Chan later told the press that he didn't feel good during his warm-ups - especially the 25 minute warm-up in the morning. "I guess I should skate more in the mornings. I don't skate very much in the mornings, but I fought through it. After that first axel in the long program, I was pretty much at cruising speed and felt great."
"I'm just taking it step by step right now," added Chan, when asked about his future goals. "This whole season has been like a dream. I've taken big steps from the Grand Prix, where I didn't even medal last year, and I'm medaling this season. I've learned that I should set my goals high and it's turned out very well."
Buttle drew a huge cheer from the crowd as he was announced, and then silence as he began with the plaintive horn. The three-time and defending champion stepped out of the landing of his second jump in his opening triple Axel-triple toeloop combination, but recovered to land a solid triple flip. He later fell on a triple Axel and doubled a Lutz, but otherwise landed three more solid triple jumps. The 2006 Olympic bronze medalist also produced three good level 4 spins and excellent circular and straightline footwork. He earned 149.05 points for his routine to music from the Ararat soundtrack, and with a total score of 229.85 points, slipped to second overall.
Buttle also admitted to not having a good warm-up that morning. "Sort of the same this morning [as Patrick]. I didn't feel over top of myself [at the 25 minute warm-up earlier in the day]. I felt good when I stepped on the ice for the 6 minute warm-up. In the past I didn't like skating last, especially after a skate like that. I felt really motivated. I felt comfortable and waiting the 40 minutes in between the warm-up and the skate didn't bother me so much. I think these are huge bonuses I can take with me to the Four Continents and Worlds, and my season is technically getting better and better."
Skating to Moments in Love, Sawyer showed lots of transitions and choreography from start to finish. The two-time and former bronze medalist nailed his triple flip-triple toeloop combination, but two-footed the landing of a triple Axel and triple flip. He also had a wild landing on a triple Lutz which drew -1.00 GOE from the judges, but he otherwise produced four level four spins, two double Axels, and very nice level 3 straightline footwork.
"I feel really good about that," replied Sawyer, when asked what it felt like to be back on the podium. "Last year I was 4th, and after the short program I was all the way down to 6th. One of my big fears this year was to keep going down, so I'm happy that I've come back on the podium."
Ken Rose (CO) skated with joy, lightness, and a sense of fun in his routine to Sing! Sing! Sing! which featured seven triple jumps and two double Axels. The 21-year-old, who stood in eighth after the short, placed fourth in the long (123.26 points) and seventh overall (181.69 points).
Kevin Reynolds (BC/YT), who stood in seventh after the short, placed fifth in the long (122.48 points) and sixth overall (182.58 points). The 17-year-old has shown very much improved presentation and interpretation of his music to Violin Concerto D Major and Minor Blue. Though he fell on his opening quadruple Salchow, he followed up with a solid quadruple toeloop-triple toeloop-triple loop combination - the first time a quad-triple-triple combination has been done by a Canadian. He underrotated and fell on a triple Axel, but otherwise produced four more triple jumps.
Showing marked improvement in his musicality and presentation, Vaughn Chipeur (AB/NT/NU) placed sixth in the long (122.26 points) and fourth overall (191.36 points). The 23-year-old put his hand down on the landing of a triple Axel, two-footed a double loop, and popped an Axel. He otherwise produced three level 4 spins.
Christopher Mabee (WO), who stood in third after the short, placed seventh in the long (120.18 points) and fifth overall (190.64 points). His performance to Sing! Sing! Sing! was entertaining and full of energy, but lacked the technical difficulty compared to that of the top skaters.
Fedor Andreev (EO) placed 11th in the long (111.64 points) and eighth overall (178.80 points). The 25-year-old, who performed his tango routine with attitude, had the crowd with him all the way as he skated with passion, style, and great speed.
Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir (WO) easily captured their first Senior national title, distancing themselves from the other teams with over 33 points. Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje (NO) captured the silver, while Allie Hann-McCurdy and Michael Coreno (BC/YT) picked up their first Senior national medal - the bronze.
Performing to The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, Virtue and Moir told the story of young love with the elements seamlessly integrated into the music. Displaying beautiful and silent edges with effortless speed, the reigning silver medalists earned a level 4 on all elements except for a combination dance spin (level 3). Every element received positive GOEs from the judges, with the diagonal and circular footwork receiving +2.00 and +2.17 GOE, respectively.
"We're extremely thrilled to be Canadian champions," said Moir. "Our free dance went very well tonight. We're very happy with all three skates we had this week, and we're looking to build on this momentum for Four Continents and Worlds."
Vanessa Crone (17) and Paul Poirier (16) performed to A Los Amigos, which carried a good tango expression throughout the dance. The 2007 Junior champions showed a mature interpretation that belies their young ages, and the program was skated with beautiful lines and matching positions. They received a level 4 on all elements, all of which received positive GOEs, and placed second in the FD with 88.60 points. With a total score of 172.95 points, the 2007 JGP Harghita and Croatia Cup champions rose from fifth after the OD to fourth overall.
Mylene Girard and Liam Dougherty (QC), who were fourth after the OD, placed third in the FD (87.69 points) and fifth overall (172.28 points). The team performed a dramatic dance to music from The Mission soundtrack, which displayed good speed and deep, flowing edges. They earned a level 4 on elements except for a curve lift (level 3) which earned them +0.75 GOEs from the judges.
Weaver and Poje, who were in second after the OD, placed fourth in the FD (87.47 points), but with a total score of 175.61, maintained second overall. The current bronze medalists showed lots of intensity and character in the music Blues For Klook, and skated with good speed and power. The team was awarded a level 4 on elements except for a level 3 dance spin and midline (non-touching) step sequence.
"The free dance was pretty good for us," said Weaver, "not exactly our best, but we're definitely proud of what we did. [We've come far] since the Grand Prix circuit, and [we're] just hoping to build off of that through Four Continents and Worlds. We're really excited."
Hann-McCurdy and Coreno, who stood in third place after the OD, placed fifth (86.64 points) in the FD and third overall (173.86 points). The team earned a level 4 on all elements except their footwork and dance spin. Their routine to Rhapsody in Blue was performed with speed, lightness and fun, and the crowd clearly enjoyed it.
"One of our goals was to be Canadian medalists," said Coreno, "and tonight, the way we skate... when we finished we saw people standing - that's never happened before. I think that was one of the nicest things I've ever seen so far in my career."
"We're going to our first worlds," added Hann-McCurdy. "It's a good thing for us and hopefully we'll be even better next year."
Siobhan Karam and Kevin O'Keefe (EO) finished in sixth place overall (167.26 points), followed by Mylene Lamoureux and Michael Mee (QC) who had 160.91 points.
Elladj Baldé (QC) won the Junior men's title by more than 15 points, followed by Paul Poirier (CO), and Dave Ferland (QC).
Baldé showed good expression in his music to a tango, which featured a triple Axel-double toeloop-double toeloop combination, as well as good level 2 circular and straightline footwork. However, the 17-year-old stepped out of his second triple Axel, fell on a triple toeloop (in combination with a triple Lutz), and popped a flip. Despite the errors, he skated with excellent speed and ice coverage, and placed first in the long (109.68 points) and overall (165.26 points).
When asked how he prepared for this competition, Baldé replied: " Actually, I've been working really, really hard on everything. Especially the spins and in between the jumps. We worked really really hard on that. I'm really really happy."
Poirier, who stood in sixth after the short, placed second in the long (104.15 points) and overall (150.78 points). The 16-year-old showed good transitions, edges, and expression throughout his program, while using his entire body to express the music. He landed a solid triple Lutz-double toeloop combination, but had problems with several other jumps - including a triple Lutz in which he fell. Despite the errors, he produced very good level 3 straightline and circular footwork, as well as three level 4 combination spins.
Poirier, who skated earlier with partner Vanessa Crone in the Senior ice dance division. later admitted to having to conserve energy.
"It's extremely hard. Especially in the long program when it gets closer to the end and in the last minute. After the Free dance, I made sure I rested and made sure I ate foods to give me energy."
He still plans to compete in both disciplines next season.
Ferland showed good speed in his Santana routine, which included five good triple jumps, but he turned out the landing of a triple Lutz, hopped out of the landing of a triple flip, and fell on a toepick. The 18-year-old also produced two level 4 spins and placed a close third in the long with 100.22 points. With a total score of 148.71 points, he rose from fifth to third overall.
Andrew Lum (BC/YT), who stood in seventh after the short, placed fourth in the long (99.73 points) and overall (145.88 points). The 18-year-old produced a dynamic routine to music from Cirque de Soleil, which featured four good triple jumps, and level 3 straightline and circular footwork.
Samuel Morais (QC) rose from 14th after the short, to sixth overall (138.01 points) after placing fifth in the long with 94.58 points. The teen, who received a deduction for a time violation, appeared to fight for most of his jumps.
Andrei Rogozine (CO) slipped from third to fifth overall (140.34 points) after placing sixth in the long (90.97 points). Though the 14-year-old made mistakes on several jumps, he otherwise showed good lines and extensions, and skated with good speed.
Louis-Philippe Sirois (QC) slipped from fourth to seventh place overall (137.16 points), while Sébastien Wolfe (QC) fell from second to eighth (133.73 points).
The event continues with the Senior Ladies Long Program.
