Two-time ISU World Champions Wenjing Sui/Cong Han (CHN) ruled in the Pairs Short Program as the ISU Grand Prix Skate Canada International opened Friday in Vancouver. Russia’s Daria Pavliuchenko/Denis Khodykin sit in second followed by Minerva Fabienne Hase/Nolan Seegert of Germany.
Wenjing Sui/Cong Han © International Skating Union (ISU)
Skating to the Flamenco “Nyah”, Sui/Han completed a side by side triple toeloop, triple twist, a huge triple flip and earned a level four for the lift, the twist and the side by side spin. The step sequence and the death spiral merited a level two and three. The 2018 Olympic silver medalists scored 78.94 points.
“We feel very good in the short program,” Han said. “We’re very excited to compete here in Canada and to see the audience that gives us support. We know that we have some level problems from the last competition, but there was little time before this competition. So, this is maybe our next goal.”
Pavliuchenko/Khodykin put out an entertaining performance to “Be Italian”, producing a triple twist, a throw triple loop and side by side triple toes. However, she fell on a transition move. The 2020 European bronze medalists earned 69.46 points.
“We enjoyed skating here. We missed international competitions a lot last season,” Pavliuchenko said. “We still need to work on our program, but for today it was OK.”
Hase/Seegert’s program to “You Are the Reason” was highlighted by a set of triple toes, a triple twist and throw triple Salchow. The 2019 Rostelecom Cup bronze medalists achieved a new season’s best with 67.93 points.
“We are happy to finally be here after a very long travel,” Hase said. The Germans had been delayed coming into Vancouver as they missed their connection and arrived Thursday afternoon. “It is our first time at the Grand Prix in Canada. We are very happy with our skate. There are still some levels we need to catch up on.”
Kirsten Moore-Towers/Michael Marinaro (CAN) are sitting in fourth place on 66.43 points after she stepped out of the triple toeloop. The new team of Vanessa James/Eric Radford (CAN) placed fifth. She stumbled on the throw triple Lutz (65.02 points).
For full results, click here.
