(March 21, 2005)

It was an exciting day of skating during the ladies free skate at the 2005 International Skating Union (ISU) World Championships.

Canadian Champion Joannie Rochette skated in the second last group. The 19-year-old Ile Dupas, Que. native was 10th heading into the free skate and finished 11th overall with a combined point total of 172.99. Rochette earned 92.94 points for her free skate.

Canadian silver medallist Cynthia Phaneuf, 17, of Contrecoeur, Que., was awarded 78.72 points for her free skate, bringing her combined point total to 143.44, placing her 20th overall.

Russian Irina Slutskaya skated an outstanding performance to capture the gold medal with a total of 222.71 points. She was awarded 130.10 for her free skate. This was Slutskaya’s first medal at the ISU World Championships since she won the gold medal in 2002.

Winning the silver medal for the second straight year was American Sasha Cohen. Cohen earned 124.61 points for her free skate, bringing her combined point total to 214.39.

Italy’s Carolina Kostner placed fourth in the free skate with 113.29 points, but her combined point total of 200.56 earned her the bronze medal. This was Kostner’s first time on the ISU World Championships podium.

American Michelle Kwan placed third in the free skate with 113.98 points to place fourth overall with a combined point total of 200.19.

See full results at www.isufs.org/events/fsevent00007859.htm.