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Robinson's eighth place finish a boon for Canada
NICE, France (CP) -- Jennifer Robinson, once an extra at the world figure skating championships, has grabbed a starring role.The Canadian champion from Windsor, Ont., turned the sixth-best free skating program into an eighth-place finish Saturday.
Previously, she was a bit player -- 19th overall in 1995 in Birmingham, England, 21st in 1996 in Edmonton and 18th last year in Helsinki.
Her top-10 finish earned Canada a second entry in the women's singles event for the 2001 worlds in Vancouver. It also put $8,250 US in her pocket.
"My first job was for myself and my second was to get two women from Canada to Vancouver, and I did both," she said. "I'm thrilled, really thrilled."
It was the best world championship showing by a Canadian in the event since 1994, when Josee Chouinard was fifth in Chiba, Japan.
Robinson, 23, never quit believing in herself, even when she lost her Canadian title and fell off the world team.
"I did," she replied when asked if she thought the day would ever come when she'd be among the world's top 10.
Doug and Michelle Leigh coach Robinson at the Mariposa club in Barrie, Ont.
"We've got this ship turned around," an elated Doug Leigh said of Robinson earning the precious second entry for Canada.
"Awesome. It's great for Jennifer. It's great for ladies skating in Canada. Jennifer had an awesome week.
"It's been a hard battle for all of the girls (in Canada). The last few years, it's been tough. Now the ladies have really made the step they knew they could make. It's happening. It's almost like getting a monkey off the back. Seeing her, full of confidence, persevering . . . she just did a great job. We're all happy for her. Her stock is going up."
Robinson landed six triple jumps. Her only technical error of any significance was a wobbly landing on her triple loop jump.
She has a way to go. While winner Michelle Kwan of the United States landed a triple-triple jump combo, Robinson did a triple-double.
"I was happy after the first Lutz," she said. "When the Axel was over with, I knew I had done it. I knew I was on."
She was judged ahead of Russian Viktoria Volchkova in free skating, which pleased her immensely. Volchkova finished sixth overall.
"I can't believe I beat a Russian," Robinson said. "Now it's just a matter of getting all the scratchy jump landings fixed and getting into the top group, and duplicating this performance. And even better it."
Robinson was also thrilled about winning a key opportunity for a second Canadian women's skater in Vancouver.
"We have lots of great female skaters in Canada, especially with the new junior champion (Marianne Dubuc) coming up to senior, she's terrific, and Annie Bellemare, who won a bronze medal at the Four Continents meet.
"We're starting to make our way and people are starting to notice what we're doing."
Robinson had said after the short program, when she was in 11th in the standings, that she hoped to earn enough prize money to pay for a new mattress she recently purchased. Finishing 11th or worse would have paid $2,750 US. Now she can go shopping again.
"Oh, yeah, lots of furniture," she kidded. "Now I can upgrade."
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