David Li Highlights Four-Medal Day for Canadian Figure Skaters

EGNA, Italy – David Li of Vancouver highlighted a four-medal medal day for Canada with the gold medal in the men’s novice event on Friday at the Egna Spring Trophy figure skating competition.

Li was first after the short program and hung on to top spot with the second-best free skate totalling 126.82 points. Krik Haugeto of the U.S. took the silver with 124.23 and David Bondar of Richmond Hill, Ont., won the bronze with 118.08.

‘’After holding back a bit at my previous competitions, I just decided to go for it here,’’ said Li, 14. ‘’I thought travelling without my parents for the first time would affect me, but it didn’t really feel that different.’’

Bondar, 15, was also pleased to get on the podium in his overseas debut.

‘’There were some minor errors on some jumps but other than that I felt my presentation was a little bit better than it use to be and that made a big difference in my final score,’’ he said. ‘’I learned that it’s not all about jumping.’’

Edward Nicholas Vasii of Montreal made it three Canadians in the top-five placing fifth at 111.58. There were 12 entries.

Hetty Shi of Mississauga, Ont., added a silver in women’s novice. Mao Shimada of Japan won the gold with 160.68. Shi, moved from fourth after the short, to reach the podium with 128.05.

Amanda Ghezzo of Italy was third at 118.33, Kara Yun of Vancouver fourth at 117.97 and Lulu Lin of Oakville, Ont., eighth.

‘’I would have wanted to do the triple toe after the Axel but it was overall OK,’’ said Shi, 13. ‘’I was happy that some of the little things I worked on in training like my facial expressions were much better.’’

Fiona Bombardier of Newmarket, Ont., also made an impressive comeback to win the bronze in the women’s junior event.

Anna Pezzetta of Italy was first with 172.96, Hannah Herrera of the U.S. was second at 154.28 and Bombardier surged from sixth after the short to produce the second-best free skate and take third at 151.82.

‘’I’m super excited,’’ said Bombardier, 16, about her international debut. ‘’The score was satisfying, and I accomplished my goals.’’

Abbie Balzter of Hamilton was sixth.

Competition continues through to Sunday.

Full results: https://www.fisg.it/upload/result/5612/online/index.htm

 

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