MasterCard Skate Canada International is the second of six qualifying events of the Grand Prix of Figure Skating series and is taking place in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (CAN), from November 1 until November 4, 2001.

Three-time World Champion, Alexei Yagudin of Russia, enters his first Grand Prix event this season. The 21-year-old Russian will be challenged by current World bronze medallist, Todd Eldredge (USA), who will also be starting his Grand Prix season in Saskatoon. Other contenders include three-time World Champion Elvis Stojko (CAN), European bronze medallist Stannick Jeannette (FRA) and Russia's Roman Serov who medaled at the Trophée Lalique last season, while reigning World Junior Champion Johnny Weir (USA) will be making his debut in the senior Grand Prix series.

In the Ladies' event, the three current World medallists Michelle Kwan (USA), Irina Slutskaya (RUS) and Sarah Hughes (USA) will meet again and battle for the top step on the podium. Kwan comes to this event fresh from her victory at Skate America where she beat Hughes. Slutskaya, however, enters her first Grand Prix event of this season. The Four Continents Champion, Fumie Suguri of Japan, is also hoping for a spot on the podium and so is current World Junior Champion Kristina Oblasova (RUS).

The Pairs event features reigning World Champions Jamie Sale/David Pelletier (CAN), who took the gold at Skate America just last week. Again, the Canadian pair will face competition from Russia's Tatiana Totmianina/Maxim Marinin, who were also at Skate America where they finished in third place. Other medal contenders at this event are Qing Pang/Jian Tong (CHN), Canada's Annabelle Langlois/Patrice Archetto and Viktoria Borzenkova/Andrei Chuvilaev of Russia.

After winning the Ice Dance event at Skate America, Shae-Lynn Bourne/Victor Kraatz of Canada are now hoping to repeat this victory. However, Galit Chait/Sergei Sakhnovski (ISR), who were second last week, will again challenge the Canadian couple. Last but not least, Isabelle Delobel/Olivier Schöenfelder of France should not be counted out as strong adversaries, also aiming for a spot on the podium.

The schedule for MasterCard Skate Canada International is as follows:

November 1: Compulsory Dance, Pairs and Men Short Program

November 2: Original Dance, Ladies Short and Pairs Free Program

November 3: Ladies and Men Free Program

November 4: Free Dance and Exhibition Gala

For further information please contact:

Aline Bussat Ingwersen, ISU Media Coordinator   
Tel: +41 21 612 66 66   
Fax: +41 21 612 66 77
E-mail: bussat@isu.ch	

or

MasterCard Skate Canada International
Patrick Kenny, Press Officer 
Tel: +1 306 657 45 05 (press room)

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