(February 11, 2007)

Joannie Rochette claimed her first ever medal at the ISU Four Continents Championships on Saturday.

The three-time Canadian Champion, who won Thursday's short program, was third in the free skate, earning a total score of 165.90, which secured the bronze medal.

Rochette opened her program to the music from the Don Juan soundtrack with an impressive triple flip-double toeloop combination. She also completed a triple loop, another triple flip, double Axel-triple toeloop sequence and a triple Salchow-double toeloop combination. Her mistake came on the triple Lutz, where she popped both attempts.

"I feel OK about my program. Of course, I was holding back a little bit too much," said Rochette. "The Lutz was just a technical mistake today, but I'm glad that I did the loop. It was the first time this season that I did it. I'm building confidence for the world championships, and I'll keep training. I have time to get ready before the next competition, and this week I just gained confidence."

Two Americans won the gold and silver medals. Reigning world champion Kimmie Meissner claimed her first ISU Four Continents Championship, moving up from sixth after the short program to first overall. She earned a total score of 172.75.

Meissner's teammate Emily Hughes was second overall with a total of 166.60 points.

Canadian silver medallist Lesley Hawker delivered a strong free skate. She placed seventh in the free skate and moved up from 16th after the short program to seventh overall with a total score of 138.23.

Canadian Cynthia Phaneuf, who is back on the international scene this season after sitting out all of last season with an injury, was 11th in the free skate and 15th overall, earning a total of 120.01 points.

Photos : David Carmichael