The Trophée Lalique opened in Paris (FRA) this evening with the Compulsory Dance. The Trophée Lalique is the fourth of six international qualifying events in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series.

Ice Dancing, Compulsory Dance

The Compulsory Dance for the Trophée Lalique was the Blues. Now all four of this season's Compulsories have been skated: The Ravensburg Waltz at Skate America, the Golden Waltz at Skate Canada, the Quickstep at the Sparkassen Cup and finally the Blues at the Trophée Lalique.

Reigning World silver medallists Marina Anissina/Gwendal Peizerat of France took the lead with Canadians Shae-Lynn Bourne/Victor Kraatz finishing second. Margarita Drobiazko/Povilas Vanagas (LTU) came in third.

Anissina/Peizerat skated a very smooth Blues, showing good edges and strong expression. They received marks ranging from 5.5 to 5.7 for technique and 5.8 to 5.9 for timing and expression. "A 5.9 is very, very good", Peizerat commented. "This bodes well for the rest of the competition." Bourne/Kraatz also showed a flowing and expressive Blues program, collecting marks from 5.5 to 5.6 for technique and from 5.6 to 5.8 for timing and expression. "It felt really good", Bourne said. "After we did the two Waltzes (at Skate America and Skate Canada), it's nice to be able to do the Blues. It felt like in practice. It's a nice start to this event. It's nice to see some high marks, too." Drobiazko/ Vanagas also put in a good Compulsory Dance, during which they did good Choctaws. "I'm pleased with our performance", Drobiazko said. "I prefer the Blues to many other dances."

In fourth place are Bulgaria's Albena Denkova/Maxim Staviski, who also delivered a strong dance. World Junior silver medallists Tanith Belbin/Benjamin Agosto of the USA are in seventh after she caught a rut in the ice and slipped briefly.

The Trophée Lalique continues on Friday with the Ladies, Men and Pairs Short Programs and the Original Dance.

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.org	

or

Trophee Lalique
Sylvie Fourcade, 
Press Officer 
+33 1 44 68 44 35 (press room)
E-mail: presse@bercy.fr 

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