Chan dominates free skate, win Four Continents
China’s Jin sets squad record
TAIPEI, Taiwan, Feb 21, (AP): Three-time world champion Patrick Chan of Canada produced a personal-best score to win the Four Continents championship, edging China’s Jin Boyang who became the first skater to complete four quadruple jumps in one free skating program in international competition.
Chan, fifth after the short program, received 203.99 points in Sunday’s free skate to finish with a total of 290.21, less than one point ahead of short-program leader Jin. Chinese skater Han Yan was third with 271.55.
“I didn’t panic,” Chan said. “I took my time and kept focused on the things that make me successful in practice and competition and today is a result of that.”
Skating last in the group, Chan opened his routine with a quad toeloop, triple toeloop combination and nailed two triple axels as well as another quad toeloop.
It was Chan’s third win at the Four Continents, adding to titles in 2009 and 2012. His win here will be a boost for his confidence heading to the March 28-April 3 world championships in Boston.
Chan took a year off last year but looks to have regained the form that allowed him to win three worlds from 2011 to 2013. “I feel like all the work and stress has paid off,” Chan said. “It all came out in this program as it’s supposed to be. This year has been so successful for the first year back. We’ve definitely exceeded expectations.”
With a quad lutz, quad salchow and two quad toeloops, Jin is also the first skater to land three different kinds of quads in one program.
“I performed quite well and I landed all the quads,” Jin said. “I did them before at the national Winter Games and it gave me confidence for this competition. But the quality of the jumps was not as good as today.”
Skate America champion Max Aaron of the United States was seventh followed by compatriot Grant Hochstein in eighth place.
The International Skating Union’s Four Continents championships feature skaters from the Americas, Asia, Africa and Oceania.
Meanwhile, Canadian ice dancers Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir are planning a comeback after a two-year break.