Press Release by ISU.org
Ksenia Monko/Kirill Khaliavin led a Russian podium sweep in the Junior Ice Dance at the ISU Junior Grand Prix Final in Beijing. Victoria Sinitsina/Ruslan Zhiganshin took the silver and the bronze went to Alexandra Stepanova/Ivan Bukin.
Monko/Khaliavin put out a technically demanding performance to „Frida“ that included five level-four elements. The only glitch was Khaliavin's stumble in the circular footwork.
The current World Junior bronze medalists scored 80.72 points and moved up to defend their title from last year with a total of 136.22 points. „Our performance was satisfying and the result is positive. We didn't feel any special pressure, our goal was just to skate our best. Unfortunately we didn't do that yesterday and today. I don't know really why, maybe we were a little tired from the season. But I think to have won the Junior Grand Prix Final twice is a decent result“, Khaliavin said.
Overnight leaders Sinitsina/Zhiganshin also turned in a strong performance, skating to „Samson and Delilah“. The team earned all level three and fours for their elements and picked up 79.04 points. Overall they finished second at 134.62 points. „It was a little difficult for us today as we were in first place after the short dance. We aren't really used to that, but the important thing was just to skate clean and not to think about our placement. We skated well, but we could have skated even better, with more expression for example“, Sinitsina commented.
Stepanova/Bukin's program to „Pink Panther“ was highlighted by smooth footwork and interesting lifts. They earned 76.35 points and remained in third at 129.94 points. „We skated quite well, but we could have skated better. There was one mistake. The result makes us very happy. We were a little nervous as we wanted to remain in third place“, Stepanova told the press.
Adelina Sotnikova (RUS) takes Junior Ladies gold
Russia's Adelina Sotnikova skated to the gold in the Junior Ladies with her teammate Elizaveta Tuktamisheva taking the silver medal. Zijun Li of China captured the bronze medal.
Sotnikova hit a triple Lutz-triple loop combination and four more triples in her routine to „Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso“ but fell on a triple Salchow. She scored 112.54 points and racked up a total of 169.81 points. „I am very pleased to have won this event and that I went for everything as I had planned. The next to last jump didn't work out, but I'm very happy about my combination (triple Lutz-triple loop). My next goal is to skate even better next time, cleaner“, the 14-year-old noted.
Performing to Oriental music, Tuktamisheva produced five clean triples but went down on her triple Lutz-triple toe combination. The 13-year-old received 107.11 points and totaled 160.87 points. „I decided not to do a triple-double (Lutz-toe) combination, but the triple-triple, unfortunately I missed it. Overall I'm happy with my performance“, she commented.
Li moved up from fifth place after the Short Program with a performance that included six triples. She achieved 100.20 points and had 149.82 overall. She edged out Risa Shoji (JPN) by the thinnest of margins. The competitors had the same total score, but Li was ranked higher in the Free Skating. „I only found out last week that I'm competing here, and I was also injured, so I wasn't really well prepared. I'm really happy that was able to perform up to my level“, Li said.
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