Virtue and Moir skate to gold at Autumn Classic
Osmond lands 7 triple jumps to win women’s singles competition
It was a Canadian sweep in the ice dancing competition at the Autumn Classic International in Montreal on Saturday.
World champions Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir won gold with a score of 195.76, Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje of Waterloo, Ont., were second at 173.56, and Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier of Toronto rounded out the podium at 172.26.
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—@SkateCanada"I thought it was a very strong first outing for our free dance," said Virtue. "It wasn't quite what we've been training at home but that's to be expected this early. There's a lot to learn in how to compete this program."
"Right now, we need to grow the program," added Moir. "A bit more speed, a bit more power. But we definitely connected better in the short."
Osmond lands 7 triple jumps
Kaetlyn Osmond landed seven triple jumps for the first time in her career to win gold in the women's singles competition.
The Marystown, N.L., native came within a point of her personal best with a score of 217.55. Mai Mihara of Japan was second at 199.02 and Elizabet Tursynbaeva of Kazakhstan was third at 181.00.
Ladies medallists: <br>1. Kaetlyn Osmond (CAN) 217.55<br>2. Mai Mihara (JPN) 199.02<br>3. Elizabet Tursynbaeva (KAZ) 181.00<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ACI17?src=hash">#ACI17</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FeelTheMoment?src=hash">#FeelTheMoment</a> <a href="https://t.co/OZY1IkwSUg">pic.twitter.com/OZY1IkwSUg</a>
—@SkateCanada"It's so exciting! I love both my programs this year," said Osmond. "And to do them both well here means so much to me. To get the seven triples is a big bonus."
In 2016-17, Osmond made an impressive return from injury capping the season with a silver medal at the world championships.
"I am ready for this season," she said. "I had a great summer of training and to get the start I had here really sets me up for the rest of the year."
In pairs action, Canada was well-represented with two-time world champions Meaghan Duhamel and Eric Radford finishing second and Julianne Séguin and Charlie Bilodeau finishing third.
Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres of France were the top duo in the field.
In the men's competition, Javier Fernandez of Spain took gold, Olympic and world champion Yuzuru Hanyu won silver, and Canada's Keegan Messing took home bronze.