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Controversy follows pair
Boos and jeers rained down from the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium stands last night as the Canadian ice dance team was scored second at the Sears Figure Skating Open, behind the newly-formed Russian team of Maya Usova and Evgeny Platov.
QUESTIONABLE
Bourne and Kraatz, who were caught in one scoring controversy after another last season, last night landed in yet another when the judges scored them second in the artistic or long program, and second overall -- the victims, it seems, of a technical glitch when their music failed to end with their program.
But to the biased Canadian fans, it was yet another example of the international judges underscoring the immensely popular team.
Last season, Bourne and Kraatz, skating the innovative Riverdance, were consistently scored behind the top Russian teams, including Platov and his former partner Pasha Grishuk.
At the Olympics, the team was placed fourth, sparking outrage within the Canadian skating community.
The team, their coach and Canadian skating officials complained long and loud about the supposed injustice of the scoring and there were suggestions last night that it was pay-back time from the judges, who don't like being dissed.
Still, last night's competition, the first ever open skating event held in Canada (pro skaters competing against amateurs) was an interesting experience.
Obviously, with the pros involved, the technical level of skating is slightly lower compared to Grand Prix events or world championships, but the artistic feel is superior. In eligible skating, you're certainly not going to see programs performed to Alanis Morissette, Van Halen or the best of Frank Sinatra, as well as Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata.
One thing is for certain. The International Skating Union can wrap up figure skating anyway they want and Canadian fans will buy it. Both the long and short sessions yesterday at the 5,700 seat complex were sold out.
The Sears Open also marked the inaugural performance of Usova and Platov, two skaters who had broken up with their former partners over the summer.
Platov and Grishuk were one of the most celebrated dance couples in figure skating history, winning four world titles together and two Olympic golds.
Usova captured the 1993 world title with her husband and partner Alexander Zhulin.
But while the two teams performed blissful routines on the ice, their relationships off the ice were a mess.
ALLEGIANCE
After Platov left Grishuk this summer -- she had moved to Los Angeles hoping to become a movie star -- he talked Usova, who had broken up with Zhulin, into joining forces.
Four-time world champion Kurt Browning, who skates as a pro, won the men's event by scoring four perfect 6.0s and three 5.9s for presentation.
His Sandra-Bezic choreographed clown routine, red nose and all, absolutely delighted the crowd.