US wins World Team Trophy figure skating, Canada places second

Apr 18, 2009

TOKYO — Canada finished second in the inaugural World Team Trophy figure skating championship Saturday.

Japan's Mao Asada won the women's free skate with 126.03 points to cap the event, followed by world silver medallist Joannie Rochette of Ile-Dupas, Que., with 120.08 points.

Jessica Dube of Drummondville, Que., and Bryce Davison of Cambridge, Ont., added a third-place finish in pairs.

"It has been a fantastic week," said Canadian team captain Scott Moir. "The American team obviously really delivered this week, so hats off to them. The Canadians are just extremely pleased to be in the mix and had some personal bests as well."

The United States won the three-day event with 60 points, followed by Canada with 54 and Japan with 50.

Earlier in the week, Moir, from Ilderton, Ont., finished second in ice dance with partner Tessa Virtue of London, Ont. World silver medallist Patrick Chan of Toronto rebounded from a shaky short program to finish fourth in men's singles.

Caroline Zhang and Rachael Flatt helped lead the United States to victory. Zhang, the 2007 world junior champion, finished third in the women's free skate while Flatt placed fourth to secure the win for the Americans.

It was a better showing for Asada coming off a disappointing fourth in the world championships last month.

Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao of China won the overall pairs competition.

-With files from The Associated Press.

Source article: US wins World Team Trophy figure skating, Canada places second