The 2008 BMO Canadian Figure Skating Championships are being held Jan 16-20 at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, BC. Approximately 190 skaters total will be competing in the Junior and Senior division of the event.
The top five skaters in each discipline will be named to the respective Junior or Senior National teams. Results will also be used to determine who will represent Canada at the upcoming World Figure Skating Championships, Four Continents Figure Skating Championships (4CCs), and World Junior Figure Skating Championships.
The first day of the event kicked off on Jan. 16 with the Junior’s Compulsory Dance, Pairs Short Program, Ladies Short Program, and Original Dance, and concluded with the Senior Compulsory Dance.
The Compulsory Dance (CD) this year for Juniors is the Cha Cha Congelado. The Cha Cha Congelado was created by Bernard Ford, Kelly Johnson, Laurie Palmer, and Steven Belanger. It was first performed in Richmond Hill, Ontario in 1989. This dance includes some very quick steps, as well as long deep edges.
Kharis Ralph (15) and Asher Hill (16) of Toronto, who are making their Junior debut this season, placed first in the CD with 28.66 points. The 2007 novice champions skated a strong dance which showed very expressive upper bodies while maintaining good timing and flow throughout the dance.
Karen Routhier (16) and Eric Saucke-Lacelle (18) of Quebec, who were fourth last year, showed excellent interpretation of the music and timing, and are currently in second with 27.79 points.
In third are Sophie Knippel and Andrew Britten (BC/YT) with 25.89 points. The 18-year-olds, who have only been training together since April 2007, showed excellent speed and flow, as well as a lightness to their movement.
Anna Stanislavska and Dylan Fieldhouse (EO) are in fourth with 25.16 points, followed by Tarrah Harvey and Keith Gagnon (BC/YT) who have 25.06 points.
