(March 31, 2003)
After skating a captivating and emotional free dance, 10-time Canadian Ice Dance Champions Shae-Lynn Bourne and Victor Kraatz won the gold medal at the 2003 World Figure Skating Championships.

It was the 10th trip to the World Championships for Bourne and Kraatz. It was also the first gold medal for the duo, as last year's silver medal was Bourne and Kraatz's highest finish at a World Championships prior to this year. They also won the World bronze medal from 1996-1999.

"I need to be pinched, it's so hard to believe," said Bourne. "We are so glad we stayed in this year. It was well worth it. It was our best year ever, and I don't think it has completely hit me that we are actually World Champions."

Bourne & Kraatz:
"...our best year ever"

Bourne and Kraatz had stood second to the Russian team of Irina Lobacheva and Ilia Averbukh after the original dance. The Canadians were the first team in the final group to skate their free dance, and their performance left the crowd on its feet. Bourne and Kraatz's program, which was performed to Tomasini Albinoni's Adagio of the 21st Century," featured a number of difficult and interesting lifts, as well as intricate footwork.

The judges awarded Bourne and Kraatz marks ranging from 5.7 to 5.8 for technical merit and 5.8 to 5.9 for presentation.

"I guess it hasn't sunk in yet. It is one of those things that will come later down the road," said Kraatz. "Tonight (night of the free dance) is our night, so I am just very happy."

Lobacheva and Averbukh, the defending World Champions, skated third in the final group, two teams after Bourne and Kraatz. Lobacheva and Averbukh skated to a fast-paced rock and roll medley, and their program included many fast steps and footwork.

Lobacheva and Averbukh were awarded marks ranging from 5.7 to 5.9 for technical merit and 5.8 to one 6.0 for presentation, which put them in second-place behind Bourne and Kraatz.

Finishing third was the Bulgarian team of Albena Denkova and Maxim Staviski. Not only was this the first time for Denkova and Staviski on the Worlds podium, but it was also the first time Bulgaria has won a medal at a World Championships.

"I have so many emotions right now," said Staviski. "To wait for the result is much harder then to skate."

The other Canadians teams had impressive dances in the free dance as well. Canadian Ice Dance silver medallists Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon maintained their position after the original dance to finish 10th. They skated a very intricate program to the music Dance With my Heart.

Megan Wing and Aaron Lowe also had a great skate. The duo, which won the bronze medal in the Senior Dance event at the 2003 BMO Financial Group Canadian Championships, finished the competition in 12th.

It was an emotional evening for Bourne and Kraatz.

"The emotions just take over naturally, you can't control that," said Bourne. "We just wanted to skate great. Thank you Canada. It's been a great ride."