The 2009/2010 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating continues with HomeSense Skate Canada International in Kitchener November 20 to 22. The skaters compete for a global prize money of US $ 180, 000 per individual event of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating and receive points according to their placements. The top six skaters/couples of the series will proceed to the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Tokyo, Japan.
HomeSense Skate Canada International is the sixth and last event of the series and thus the last opportunity for skaters to qualify for the Final.
Two-time and reigning World Champions Aliona Savchenko/Robin Szolkowy (GER) headline the Pairs event in Kitchener. After a disappointing third-place finish at the Trophée Bompard in October, the Germans now are looking for redemption and want to qualify for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. The challenge should come from the two couples that beat them in Paris: European bronze medalists Maria Mukhortova/Maxim Trankov (RUS) had won in France and Jessica Dubé/Bryce Davison (CAN) were ranked second. Both would like to secure their spot for Tokyo as well. Other contenders in the Pairs event include Anabelle Langlois/Cody Hay (CAN), Caydee Denney/Jeremy Barrett (USA) and Caitlin Yankowskas/John Coughlin (USA).
The Men’s event again promises to be an exciting competition. World silver medalist Patrick Chan (CAN) missed his first Grand Prix event due to injury and debuts on the international scene this season here in Kitchener. He has no chance to qualify for the Final by competing in just one event, but he can take points away from others. 2008 Four Continents Champion Daisuke Takahashi (JPN) hopes to rebound from his fourth-place finish at NHK Trophy and wants to book the ticket to the Final. Michal Brezina (CZE) comes with a bronze medal from NHK Trophy to Canada and aims at another podium finish. ISU Grand Prix Final Champion Jeremy Abbott (USA) was 5th in Japan and is keen on doing better in Canada. Other contenders are European silver medalist Samuel Contesti (ITA), Alban Préaubert (FRA), Denis Ten (KAZ) and 2007 World Junior Champion Stephen Carriere (USA).
Reigning World silver medalist Joannie Rochette (CAN) leads the Ladies field at HomeSense Skate Canada. Rochette wants to improve on her third place finish at the Samsung Anycall Cup of China earlier this month. Competition should come from Akiko Suzuki (JPN), who won the Cup of China and is hoping to qualify for the Grand Prix Final for the first time in her career. European Champion Laura Lepistö (FIN) and the three U.S. skaters Alissa Czisny, Mirai Nagasu and Caroline Zhang are also competing for a spot on the podium here in Kitchener.
In the Ice Dance event, current World bronze medalists Tessa Virtue/Scott Moir (CAN) are looking for a second gold medal this season after winning the Trophée Bompard. Once again they will meet Nathalie Pechalat/Fabian Bourzat (FRA), who were ranked second in Paris. 2008 World Junior Champions Emily Samuelson/Evan Bates (USA), 2007 World Junior Champions Ekaterina Bobrova/Dmitri Soloviev (RUS) and 2007 World Junior bronze medalists Kaitlyn Weaver/Andrew Poje (CAN) belong to a group of young up and coming dance couples that are aiming at the podium. 2009 European silver medalists Federica Faiella/Massimo Scali (ITA) have withdrawn from the event citing illness (Faiella).
The full list of entries is available at www.isu.org
The schedule of HomeSense Skate Canada International is as follows:
Friday, November 20: Compulsory Dance, Pairs, Ladies and Men Short Program
Saturday, November 21: Original Dance, Ladies, Pairs and Men Free Skating
Sunday, November 22: Free Dance, Exhibition Gala
