(December 4, 2007)

The ISU Grand Prix circuit wrapped up this weekend with the sixth and last event in Sendai, Japan. Canadian athletes had a successful run winning at least one medal at each event to finish the series with 11 medals: three gold, two silver and six bronze up four medals over last year’s total.

Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir (ice dance), Jessica Dubé and Bryce Davison (pairs), and Patrick Chan (men) are headed to Torino, Italy, to compete in the ISU Grand Prix Final, December 13-16, 2007.

Joannie Rochette is the third substitute for the ISU Grand Prix Final in the women’s event as she finished ninth on the ISU Grand Prix standings with 22 points. Jeff Buttle is the second substitute for the ISU Grand Prix Final in the men’s event as he finished eighth on the ISU Grand Prix standings with 20 points. Cup of China bronze medalists Jessica Miller and Ian Moram are also substitutes for the ISU Grand Prix Final in the pairs’ event as they finished eighth on the ISU Grand Prix standings with 16 points.

Skaters accumulate points at each ISU Grand Prix event where the top 6 in the men, ladies, pairs and ice dance disciplines qualify to compete in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final.

In 2007, Canadian skaters garnered seven medals over the ISU Grand Prix season – three gold, one silver and three bronze. Ice dancers Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon and the pair team of Valérie Marcoux and Craig Buntin headed to St. Petersburg, Russia, to compete in the Final. Dubreuil and Lauzon won the silver medal and Marcoux and Buntin finished in fifth place.