(March 5, 2003)
Close competition in Novice Dance compulsories sets up for an exciting finish

There are four teams competing in the Novice Dance event with the gold, silver and bronze medallists from the 2003 BMO Financial Group Skate Canada Junior Nationals competing for the gold in Campbellton, N.B.

Amy Leslie and Klay Nichol won the Paso Doble with three first-place ordinals. Danielle Steeves and Michael Coreno were second with two first-place ordinals and Mylene Lamoureux and Michael Mee were in third, also with two first-place ordinals. Steeves and Coreno won the Blues with four first place ordinals, Lamoureux and Mee were in second and Leslie and Nichol placed third. The combined results after the two compulsory dances are as follows:

These teams are all so close in skating quality and ability, which will make for an interesting free dance, which will be held on March 6.

Novice Ladies lay down solid performances in short program

The first skater of the event, Erin Scherrer, who is representing Ontario, laid down a solid performance to stay in first after all 16 skaters completed their programs. She flew into her double Axel and went on to land a beautiful triple toe loop-double toe loop combination. She had a slight touch down on the double Lutz and completed strong spins.

Tanika Gibbons, of British Columbia, was placed second after performing a nicely choreographed and well-skated program. She completed a triple Salchow-double toe loop combination, which had a slight cheat and turn out on the triple jump, but went on to complete a solid double Axel and a double Lutz, in addition to very good spins. Overall, it was a good skate for Tanika!

Standing third after the short program is Lisa Tso, of Alberta, after she completed a good double Axel, triple Salchow-double loop combination, which had a slight cheat on the triple jump, and the required double Lutz.

Stephanie Cameron, who is representing British Columbia, Mylene Brodeur, of Quebec, and Allison Noseworthy, of Newfoundland, all had lovely programs and good speed, but missed the triple combination.

The short program sets up for an exciting free program, which will be skated on March 6.

Special Olympics Ladies skate very well in elements event

The Special Olympics Ladies event was a highlight of the day.

There is no age limit on the event and the skaters have two attempts on each element. The four elements skated were the same as required in the Men's event - a right forward outside glide on a curve, a left forward inside glide on a curve, a forward two-foot turn on a circle, and backward skating to a glide on one foot for three counts.

The ladies were very calm and skated very well. They all had smiles on their faces and cheered each other on.

Rebecca Nicholson, of New Brunswick, won the event. She had excellent skills, her edges were nicely held and all her elements were equally as good. Kathryn Durant, who represented Saskatchewan, was second, and Annie Boulanger, of Quebec, placed third. Everyone in this event deserves a medal!

The Special Olympic Men skate on March 5 and the Special Olympic Ladies take to the ice on March 6.