Canadian pairs climb to fourth at ISU Junior Grand Prix
SARANSK, Russia – Lori-Ann Matte and Thierry Ferland of Lévis, Que., climbed to a fourth place finish in pairs on Friday at the fourth stop on the ISU Junior Grand Prix figure skating circuit.
Russians swept the podium with Anastasia Mishina and Vladislav Mirzoev first with 175.82 points. Aleksandra Boikova and Dmitrii Kozlovskii were second at 152.57 and Ekaterina Borisov and Dmitry Sopot of Russia third at 150.76.
Matte and Ferland were fifth after the short program on Thursday but produced ghe fourth best free skate of the day to make a move in the final ranking. They were sixth at the second stop in Ostrava, the Czech Republic.
Jamie Knoblauch of Milton, Ont., and Cody Wong of Cambridge, Ont., were 10th.
There was another Russian victory in men’s competition as Alexander Samarin took the gold. Andrew Torgashev of the U.S. was second and Matyas Belohradsky of the Czech Republic was third.
Edrian Paul Celestino of Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Que., also made an impressive climb up the standings going from 12th after the short program to ninth overall.
‘’After the long I’m very satisfied with how I performed,’’ said Celestino, 18. ‘’There were things I could improve but with the way came back in this long program I’m happy with myself. It’s a learning experience and I want to improve from now on.’’
In the short dance, Alicia Fabbri of Terrebonne, Que., and Claudio Pietrantonio of Laval, Que., stand seventh.
The free dance is on Saturday. Canada has no entries in women’s competition.
Full results: ISU JGP Cup of Mordovia 2016