ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating
HomeSense Skate Canada International - Preview
The 2007/2008 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating continues
this week with HomeSense Skate Canada International in Quebec
City, Quebec from November 1 to 4. Skate Canada is the second
of six events in the series. The skaters compete for a a global
prize money of US $ 180, 000 per individual event of the ISU
Grand Prix of Figure Skating and receive points according
to their placements. The top six skaters/couples then qualify
for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Torino,
Italy.
Reigning World Champion Brian Joubert of France enters the
Grand Prix series in Quebec. Joubert will face competition
from 2006 Olympic bronze medalist Jeffrey Buttle (CAN) who
competes on home turf and from 2007 European bronze medalist
Kevin van der Perren (BEL). Other competitors include Christopher
Mabee (CAN), Yannick Ponsero (FRA), Jamal Othman (SUI), Jeremy
Abbott (USA) and Scott Smith (USA).
In the Ladies’ event, current World silver medalist
Mao Asada (JPN) will be challenged by Canadian Champion Joannie
Rochette and Yukari Nakano (JPN). Also competing are Cynthia
Phaneuf (CAN), Laura Lepistö (FIN) and Emily Hughes (USA),
who finished fourth last week at Skate America. 2007 World
Junior bronze medalist Ashley Wagner (USA) is debuting on
the senior Grand Prix.
Germany’s European Champions Aliona Savchenko/Robin
Szolkowy headline the Pairs field in Quebec City. Competition
should come from Jessica Dubé/Bryce Davison (CAN),
who come fresh from their victory at Skate America, and from
Yuko Kawaguchi/ Alexander Smirnov (RUS). The field is completed
by Meagan Duhamel/Craig Buntin (CAN), Anabelle Langlois/Cody
Hay (CAN) and Tiffany Vise/Derek Trent (USA).
Tessa Virtue/Scott Moir of Canada and Melissa Gregory/Denis
Petukhov (USA) are the top contenders in the ice dancing competition.
Also aiming for a podium finish are Anna Cappellini/Luca Lanotte
(ITA) and reigning World Junior Champions Ekaterina Bobrova/Dmitri
Soloviev (RUS), who debut at the senior level. Other competitors
include 2007 World Junior bronze medalists Kaitlyn Weaver/Andrew
Poje (CAN), Pernelle Carron/Mathieu Jost (FRA) and Nelli Zhiganshina/Alexander
Gazsi (GER).
The schedule of Homsense Skate Canada International
is as follows:
Friday, November 2: Compulsory Dance, Men, Ladies and Pairs
Short Program
Saturday, November 3: Original Dance, Ladies and Pairs Free
Skating
Sunday, November 4: Free Dance, Men Free Skating, Exhibition
Gala
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