(December 11, 2008) – Canadian skaters will lace up their skates today as they hit the ice in Goyang City, Republic of Korea for the first day of competition at the 2008 ISU Grand Prix Final. The official practices began yesterday.
Skate Canada has a total of five entries and six skaters in Goyang City; two entries in senior and three in junior. Patrick Chan in senior men, Joannie Rochette in senior ladies, Elladj Baldé in junior men, Diane Szmiett in junior ladies and Kharis Ralph and Asher Hill in junior ice dance will all represent Canada.
Canada’s success on this season’s ISU Junior and Senior Grand Prix circuit resulted in sixteen medals; eight in senior and eight in junior.
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Gold
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Patrick Chan
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Trophee Eric Bompard - Paris, France
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Senior Men
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Joannie Rochette
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Trophee Eric Bompard - Paris, France
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Senior Ladies
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Patrick Chan
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HomeSense Skate Canada International - Ottawa, Ontario
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Senior Men
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Joannie Rochette
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HomeSense Skate Canada International - Ottawa, Ontario
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Senior Ladies
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Silver
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Jessica Dubé / Bryce Davison
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HomeSense Skate Canada International - Ottawa, Ontario
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Senior Pair
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Vanessa Crone / Paul Poirier
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HomeSense Skate Canada International - Ottawa, Ontario
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Senior Ice Dance
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Diane Szmiett
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ISU Junior Grand Prix - Cape Town, South Africa
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Junior Ladies
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Elladj Baldé
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ISU Junior Grand Prix - Mexico City, Mexico
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Junior Men
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Kharis Ralph/Asher Hill
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ISU Junior Grand Prix - Mexico City, Mexico
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Junior Ice Dance
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Kharis Ralph/Asher Hill
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ISU Junior Grand Prix - Courchevel, France
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Junior Ice Dance
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Bronze
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Jessica Dubé / Bryce Davison
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NHK Trophy - Tokyo, Japan
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Senior Pair
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Meagan Duhamel / Craig Buntin
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Trophee Eric Bompard - Paris, France
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Senior Pair
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Karen Routhier / Eric Saucke-Lacelle
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ISU Junior Grand Prix -Sheffield, England
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Junior Ice Dance
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Elladj Baldé
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ISU Junior Grand Prix - Cape Town, South Africa
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Junior Men
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Karen Routhier / Eric Saucke-Lacelle
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ISU Junior Grand Prix - Ostrava, Czech Republic
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Junior Dance
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Diane Szmiett
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ISU Junior Grand Prix - Courchevel, France
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Junior Ladies
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“We are more than pleased with the results we had on both the senior and junior circuits. Canada will be well represented going into the ISU Grand Prix Finals,” said William Thompson, Skate Canada CEO. “This was a great start to our season and we are looking forward to seeing how the rest of the year plays out.”
Patrick Chan and Joannie Rochette will enter into the competition at the top of the pack; Chan ranked in first and Rochette in second.
With a first-place ranking Chan will skate last in the men’s short program, but 17-year-old Chan isn’t worried.
“I had the opportunity to really have people gunning for me when I was in Paris,” said Chan. “Even though it's only been one time, I've gotten used to it. I've gotten used to skating last as well. I think it will be another good practice, another time to train myself physically and mentally.”
Jessica Dubé and Bryce Davison in pair just missed the point cutoff to qualify and they will act as alternates. Dubé and Davison took home silver medals at HomeSense Skate Canada International and the bronze at the NHK Trophy. Ice dancers Vanessa Crone and Paul Poirier debuted on the ISU Senior Grand Prix this season with outstanding results; silver at HomeSense Skate Canada International and fourth at Trophée Eric Bompard. They just missed qualifying as well and will also act as alternates.
The event will come to a close on December 14, 2008.
Don’t miss the action! Make sure you check out competition live on CBC and cbcsports.ca!
For up-to-date results please click here!