(March 17, 2004)

It was a very successful outing for Canadian skaters at the 2004 Copenhagen Trophy.

The Copenhagen Trophy, which was held March 12-14 in Copenhagen, Denmark, is a development event, at which young up-and-coming skaters have the opportunity to gain international competitive experience. Skate Canada fully funds the Canadian athletes’ and coaches’ participation in the event, and the athletes competing receive a grant from the Skate Canada Athlete Trust.

In Canada’s first time attending this event, Canadian skaters came away with a total of four medals – two in the Novice Ladies event, one in the Junior Ladies event and one in the Junior Men’s event.

“Well done to the Canadian team that competed at this event,” said Gayle McClelland, Skate Canada National Teams Director. “The athletes performed very well throughout the competition, and we are very pleased with the results. This was the first time Canada attended the Copenhagen Trophy, and I think we made a great first impression because of the athletes’ performances.”

In the Novice Ladies event, 13-year-old Diane Szmiett, of Watford, Ont., moved up from third-place after the short program to place first overall. Szmiett, who won the silver medal in the Novice Ladies event at the 2004 BMO Financial Group Skate Canada Junior Nationals earlier this year, had an impressive free skate that vaulted her into the gold medal position.

Joining Szmiett on the podium was Kim Caissy, of Gatineau, Que. Caissy, 13, skated two solid programs at the event to place first in the short program and second in the free skate to win the silver medal. Caissy also competed at the 2004 BMO Financial Group Skate Canada Junior Nationals, winning the bronze medal in the Novice Ladies event.

American Devon Aigner placed third in the Novice Ladies event.

St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que.’s Myriane Samson made a huge comeback in the Junior Ladies event. After placing sixth in the short program, Samson, the 2004 Canadian Junior Ladies Champion, won the free skate with an outstanding performance to capture the silver medal.

Camilla Andersen, of Denmark, took home the gold medal, while Fleur Maxwell, of Luxembourg, won the bronze medal.

In the Junior Men’s event, Eric Radford, the 2004 Canadian Junior Men’s Champion, captured the bronze medal. Radford, 19, of Toronto, placed third in both the short program and the free skate to finish in third-place overall.

Fifteen-year-old Matt McEwan, of Surrey, B.C., moved up from seventh-place after the short program to place fifth overall, after finishing fifth in the free skate.

Two Americans, Traighe Rouse and Michael Peters, won the gold and silver medals, respectively.