Patrick Chan roars to gold at ISU Four Continents

TAIPEI CITY, Taipei – Patrick Chan earned a personal best score in the free skate to rocket to the gold medal in men’s competition on Sunday at the ISU Four Continents figure skating competition.

It was the second international victory this season for the three-time world champion from Toronto. He earned 203.99 points in his free program which included landing two quads and two triple Axels for a grand total of 290.21. He was fifth after Friday’s short program.

“I was looking forward to going out there and showing what I do every day in training,” said Chan, who took the year off in 2014-15. “It felt relaxed and I didn’t feel tired through the elements. That means I was able to breathe my way through the program and the keep the focus on myself. The whole day was paced really well.
Adding a second triple Axel was a new element for Chan.

“That’s a huge milestone for me on my first year back,” he said. “Landing that second Axel was a huge relief and I really did it well just like the first one. This year has been so successful for the first year back. We’ve definitely exceeded expectations.”

Chan also won the Four Continents title in 2009 and 2012. His first victory this season was at Skate Canada this past fall.
Boyang Jin of China landed four quads and took the silver on Sunday at 289.83 and his compatriot Han Yan was third at 271.55.

Kevin Reynolds of Coquitlam, B.C., was 11th and Liam Firus of North Vancouver 13th.

“I came back with a fight in the long program,” said Reynolds. “It was a boost of confidence and good base to build on for next season.”

Chan’s victory was Canada’s second medal of the competition. On Friday, Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje of Waterloo, Ont., won bronze in ice dancing.

Full results: ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships

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