Osmond has sizzling performance in short program
REGINA At every Grand Prix event, there are good, bad and ugly skates, surprises and disappointments, from first-timers and vets alike.
These things are, in some ways, several concurrent competitions wrapped in one bedazzled package. Because while Larkyn Austman might be on the same ice surface as her Canadian compatriot Kaetlyn Osmond, she’s not yet in the same league. And that’s to be expected, given this was her first Grand Prix assignment. The 19-year-old from New Westminster, B.C., is 12th, which is to say last, after the women’s short program.
Osmond, a seasoned 21-year-old who trains in Edmonton, skated lights out, rang up a personal best 76.06 points and leads Skate Canada International by a whopping 7.01 points. She was the class of an uneven competition at Brandt Centre, finishing ahead of Russians Anna Pogorilaya and Maria Sotskova.
It’s Osmond’s first score over 76, after reaching 75.98 at the 2017 world championships in Helsinki, where she was the silver medallist.
“I was happy to finally get above that little hump,” said Osmond, who nailed her triple flip, triple toe combination, a triple Lutz and a double Axel.
She was skating last year’s program, Sous le ciel de Paris, and was obviously comfortable and confident doing it. This one was rock solid, much to the delight of a crowd that clapped along for the final few elements.
“The last bit of the program when everyone usually starts clapping is the celebration of the short,” she said.
Osmond cast a more critical eye on it immediately after.
“There’s a lot of things I could improve in that program. My flow out of my jumps probably wasn’t as strong as they usually are, especially on the Axel, I was a little off in the air. I just found out I got a Level 3 on my footwork which I’m not very happy about.”
Austman was happy to survive the experience.
This was a gentle easing onto the senior scene under the friendly gaze of the locals.
“These things can be terrifying in general. I’m glad it’s here because I’d rather have a home crowd,” she said. “It’s a lot more inviting and welcoming.”
Canadian teammate Alaine Chartrand made a hash of her short program. She fell once and under-rotated a double Axel to finish with just 46.51 points, ahead of only Austman, who checked in with 41.79.
“Pretty bad. Really rough, yeah,” said Chartrand, who struggled to find the words, such was her level of devastation. FULL COVERAGE AT WWW.LEADERPOST.COM