Ladies

Final Results

Short program

All the top contenders in the Ladies event skated in the first warm-up group, and overall, the competition was on a very high level.

Russia's Irina Slutskaya was the first to take to the ice, pulling off a clean performance to "Culture" by Chris Spheeris that included a triple Lutz - double loop combination, a triple flip, a double Axel as well as excellent spins.  Slutskaya received marks up to 5.8 for required elements and for presentation.  "I'm happy with how I skated", said the 2l-year-old Muscovite.  "It was OK to skate first - I warmed up, went out and did it."  Her teammate, Maria Butyrskaya, immediately followed.

The 1999 World Champion also delivered a strong short program.  She landed a high triple Lutz - double toe loop combination, a triple flip, a double Axel and produced nice spirals and spins in her flowing "Scene d'amour".  Butyrskaya was also pleased with her performance.  "It was similar to the program I did in Paris.   Maybe the flip was a bit better here, but I felt more inspired in Paris!" she laughed.  Butyrskaya scored marks ranging from 5.5 to 5.7 for required elements and from 5.7 to 5.9 for presentation.  One judge put her first and one had her third, while the remainder voted for Slutskaya, who seems to have performed better spins and a more difficult jump combination.

Japan's Fumie Suguri came in third with a clean program. Skating to "Rustle of Spring", the 19-year-old completed a triple Lutz-double toe loop combination, a triple flip and showed nice spins.  "I skated my best, and I'm really happy to have done so well, especially in Japan", Suguri declared.  "Sometimes it is hard to skate at home, but I felt the support of the audience, and it made me stronger."

Tatiana Malinina (UZB) slightly two-footed her triple flip and came in fourth.   Suguri and Malinina are both still hoping to make the Grand Prix Final. Angela Nikodinov (USA) doubled the flip and placed fifth before the Free Program.  Although World Junior Champion Jennifer Kirk, did not make any major mistake, the quality of her elements was not as strong as the other competitors and she came in sixth

Michelle Currie (CAN) was forced to withdraw today, after she injured herself in practice when she landed a triple flip and Vanessa Gusmeroli (FRA) also withdrew before the event draw, due to medical reasons.

Free Skating

A high level of competition was seen in the Ladies' long program  and was very thrilling.  Fumie Suguri of Japan, third in the short program, took to the ice first in the last group. The 19-year-old attempted a triple Lutz - triple toe loop combination at the beginning of her program, but she stepped out of the second jump.  Suguri went on to produce three more clean triples, but she stepped out of a triple loop and two footed an attempt at a second triple Lutz.  This was not enough to win a medal here, and the Japanese skater dropped to fifth place overall.

Short program leader Irina Slutskaya (RUS) came out next.  The World silver medalist opened her "Don Quixote" program with a triple Lutz, but did not do the planned combination.  A triple Salchow - double loop combination and a triple Lutz - double toe loop followed, but the toe loop was two-footed.  Slutskaya went for a triple toe loop - triple toe loop combination, but stepped out of the second jump.   Overall, she landed six clean triples, a double Axel and had good spins, but   her program was weaker in choreography.  The judges awarded the European Champion marks ranging from 5.7 to 5.9 for technical merit and 5.5 to 5.9 for presentation.  The marks were potentially good enough for a win but there was still room for Maria Butyrskaya to take away the gold.

Angela Nikodinov of the USA wanted to redeem herself after her mistake in the short program that left her in fifth place.  The Four Continents Champion put in a strong performance to "Sleeping Beauty" that featured five triples, although she was a bit slow in comparison to the other top contenders.  Nikodinov pulled up one spot and finished fourth.

As she took the ice, Tatiana Malinina (UZB) knew that she still had a chance to qualify for the Final, but she needed to finish third.  The 27-year-old skater hit five triple jumps, one double Axel and did good spins, though she looked a bit hesitant.   Still, it was enough to move her up from the fourth place finish in the short program to claim the bronze medal.

Last to skate was World bronze medalist Maria Butyrskaya (RUS).  She had a determined look on her face and pulled off a strong performance.  Butyrskaya nailed her opening triple Lutz - double toe loop combination, a triple flip, her triple toe loop - half loop - triple Salchow combination, a second triple Lutz, a triple loop and a double Axel.  Although some of her landings were shaky, she showed good flow and superior choreography in her melancholic program to the soundtrack to the Russian motion picture "17 Moments in Spring".

It was a tough decision for the judges, with Slutskaya winning with a five to four split. "I skated well, without mistakes, and it was the best performance of this program so far", commented Slutskaya.  "Masha did very well too, and I really liked her program.  However, the judges are the judges and they decide."   Butyrskaya felt she had skated her best. "It was a very good program.   When I skate well and do my elements, I skate with my soul.  I landed two triple Lutzes.  Many people said they believe I should have won."

The happiest person on the podium was Tatiana Malinina who is on the way to making a comeback after a disappointing season last year.  "I feel just great.  This is a wonderful competition.  I competed here for the seventh time!  My husband, my little dog and I are very happy that I made the Final."   Slutskaya also qualified for the Final, as the NHK Trophy was her second scoring event.  Butyrskaya did not compete for points in Asahikawa and was already qualified for the Final before this event.

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