Ladies

 

Final Results

Place Skater Country SP FS
1 Maria BUTYRSKAYA RUS 1 1
2 Viktoria VOLCHKOVA RUS 2 2
3 Jennifer KIRK USA 4 3
4 Vanessa GUSMEROLI FRA 3 4
5 Jennifer ROBINSON CAN 6 5
6 Julia SOLDATOVA BLR 7 7
7 Elina KETTUNEN FIN 5 8
8 Laetitia HUBERT FRA 11 6
9 Shizuka ARAKAWA JPN 9 9
10 Silvia FONTANA ITA 7 11
11 Diana POTH HUN 10 10
12 Dirke OŽBrien Baker NZL 12 12

 

short program

First to skate in the short program was Vanessa Gusmeroli of France.  The 1997 World bronze medalist stepped out on her triple flip and touched down with both hands on the ice.  Overall she looked hesitant and finished third in the first part of the event.  "I'm somewhat disappointed that I didn't skate without a mistake.   I was too slow going into the flip", explained Gusmeroli.  "Overall it was still a good program. I'm excited to be third, because I still have the chance to win."

The winner of the first day, however, was Maria Butyrskaya (RUS). The 1999 World Champion took the lead with a strong performance to "Scene d'amour".  The Muscovite seemed to fly over the ice and nailed a triple Lutz - double toe loop combination, as well as a double Axel.  Only her triple flip out of footwork was shaky.  "I'm very happy with how I skated, and I'm especially pleased to have landed the triple flip.  The triple flip is a new jump for me in the short program," said Butyrskaya.

Viktoria Volchkova (RUS) also delivered a clean program, her first one in this season so far, to place second in the short program. The 18-year-old European bronze medalist produced a high triple Lutz - double toe loop combination, a triple flip and double Axel, but her spins lacked speed.  "I did everything today.  I wanted to do it for my coach and myself.  I didn't skate too well in my previous competitions.   I wasn't really ready", said Volchkova.  "The Grand Prix competitions are an important preparation during the season for the main competitions.   You show your new programs and what you can do", she added.

Reigning World Junior Champion Jennifer Kirk (USA) put in a good performance to finish fourth. She completed a triple Lutz - double toe loop combination and a triple flip, as well as a nice combination spin.  However, her jumps were quite low.  "It was really scary, nerve-wracking, to compete against former World Champions and World medalists", said Kirk.  "I'm excited to be able to skate well."

In her first Grand Prix competition for Belarus, former Russian skater Julia Soldatova had a hard time of it.  The 1999 World Bronze medalist fell on her triple Lutz and her triple toe loop and placed 7th.

Free Skating

Russia's Viktoria Volchkova, in second place after the short program, opened her free program to music by Saint-Preux with a double Axel and a spectacular triple Lutz - double toe loop combination.  The 18-year-old from Moscow completed five clean triples altogether.  She doubled a Salchow, but then she repeated it. Her marks ranged from 5.5 to 5.7 for technique and from 5.4 to 5.7 for presentation.  Volchkova remained second and claimed the silver medal.  "I made some mistakes, but it is a happy end for me, and I'm glad to be second.  I'll work on my mistakes and hopefully I'll do better next time", Volchkova commented.

Up next was reigning World Junior Champion Jennifer Kirk (USA).  She delivered a strong performance that included a triple toe loop - triple toe loop combination and five more triples as well as nice spins.  However, in comparison to the top skaters, the 16-year-old lacked speed and ice coverage.  Despite her two Lutz jumps being a little cheated on the landings, Kirk leaped onto the podium, capturing the bronze medal in her first senior Grand Prix event.  "I feel very good about my performances" smiled Kirk.  "I skated both programs very well. I think I could have skated a little bit faster. I'm happy that I got a medal!"

Short program leader Maria Butyrskaya (RUS) made a strong impression in her practices and started well into her long program with a triple Lutz-double toe loop combination.   The 1999 World Champion then fell on a high triple flip but recovered to complete her triple toe loop-half loop-triple Salchow combination, a triple loop and a double Axel.   Butyrskaya also showed flow and elegance in her romantic routine to music out of the Russian movie "17 Moments in spring".  The superior choreography and her high jumps gave her the edge over her competitors, and she scored marks up to 5.7 for technique and up to 5.9 for presentation.  All the judges placed the two-time European Champion in first.  "To be honest, I had expected a bit more of myself today", said Butyrskaya.  "I skated better in Germany (at the Sparkassen Cup) shortly before this competition. Now I'm glad that it's over and that I'm first!"

Vanessa Gusmeroli from France sat in third after the short program but she faltered in her "Jeanne d'Arc" free program. Gusmeroli landed only two triples and dropped to fourth.

Butyrskaya scored 12 points and now leads the Grand Prix standings with 24 points.   She is qualified for the Final.  Volchkova has 13 points from two events and will have to wait and see if this is enough to qualify.  Kirk gained 7 points and will compete again next week in Japan.


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