Osmond surprises at Skate Canada
Canadian teenager Kaetlyn Osmond capped a sparkling Grand Prix debut with a surprise triumph Saturday at Skate Canada. "Not used to it, but definitely could get used to it," Osmond said of thrilled reaction from the home crowd after her free skate to "Carmen" gave her a winning total of 176.45 points. Japan's Akiko Suzuki led the way in the deciding free skate with a score of 120.04. It was enough to move her into second overall on 175.16 points, with Japanese teammate Kanako Murakami third on 168.04. Osmond fell on a triple Lutz in her free skate, but her score of 115.89 was good enough to garner the victory. Elene Gedevanishvili of Georgia, who led after the short programme on Friday, dropped to fifth after an error-filled free skate. Osmond's relatively low world ranking means she isn't entered in another Grand Prix event this season, although she could make Canada's team for the World Championships which will be held in London, Ontario, in March. She admitted she's also got the 2014 Sochi Olympics on her mind. "It definitely starts putting a whole bunch of thoughts in your head," Osmond said. "It just gains you so much more confidence, and a better knowing of what you can do on the ice, how much it can lead you to." Germany's four-time world champions Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy won the pairs title with a total of 201.36 points. Canadians Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford were second on 190.49 with Italians Stefania Berton and Ondrej Hotarek third on 172.03. Duhamel said she and Radford were inspired by Osmond's victory, arriving at the arena just as she collected her medal. "We watched the medal ceremony, and we were so proud of her and proud of Canadian skating so I think that gave us a little boost." Competition was to conclude later Sunday with the men's free skate and the ice dance free dance. Spain's Javier Fernandez took the lead into the men's free skate, having upstaged Canadian star Patrick Chan in the men's short programme on Friday. Canadians Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir were poised for victory in ice dancing, after leading the short dance ahead of Italy's Anna Cappellini and Luca Lanotte. Kaetlyn Osmond of Canada skates her free program in the ladies competition at the 2012 Skate Canada International ISU Grand Prix event in Windsor. Osmond won the gold medal. Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany skate their free program at the 2012 Skate Canada International ISU Grand Prix event in Windsor. Savchenko and Szolkowy won the pairs title with a total of 201.36 points.
