(March 18, 2008)

The pairs discipline began today with the short program at the 2008 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Sweden. Twenty-one teams are represented in the pair’s category; Canada holds three of the spots.

The pair duo of Jessica Dubé, 20, of Drummondville, Que. and Bryce Davison, 22, of Cambridge, Ont., began the competition for the Canadian pairs. They had a strong program and a personal best in the short, scoring close behind the top three. The pair sits in fourth place with 68.66 points.

Meagan Duhamel, 22, from Lively, Ont. and Craig Buntin, 27, from Kelowna, B.C., are going into tomorrows free skate in seventh place with 60.01.

Last of the Canadians to take the ice were Anabelle Langlois, 26, of Grand-Mère, Que. and Cody Hay, 24, of Grande Prairie, Alta., the duo are in ninth place with 59.43 points.

Tomorrow the pairs will finish the competition with their free skate in the afternoon.

The ladies will take an early start beginning the day with their short program. Canada will be represented by Joannie Rochette, 22, of Ile Dupas, Que., and Mira Leung, 18, from Vancouver, B.C.

Jessica Dubé/Bryce Davison	Meagan Duhamel/Craig Buntin	Anabelle Langlois/Cody Hay