Canadians Begin ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating in U.S.A.

OTTAWA, ON: The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating begins this weekend with Skate America, taking place at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Canada will be sending two pair teams to the event, which will run from October 18-20, 2013. Skate America is the first of six ISU Senior Grand Prix stops.

Kirsten Moore-Towers, 21, St. Catharines, Ont., and Dylan Moscovitch, 29, Toronto, Ont., are the first of two Canadian pair entries. Moore-Towers and Moscovitch have competed at this event twice previously, winning silver in 2010 and bronze in 2011. They also started this season in the United States, defending their title at the 2013 U.S. International Figure Skating Classic. Last season, they placed fourth at the 2013 ISU World Figure Skating Championships. Moore-Towers and Moscovitch train with Kris Wirtz and Kristy Wirtz at the Kitchener-Waterloo Skating Club.

Margaret Purdy, 18, Strathroy, Ont., and Michael Marinaro, 21, Sarnia, Ont., will be the second entry for Canada in pair. This will be their first senior international event. Last season, Purdy and Marinaro won silver at the 2013 ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships, and placed fifth at the 2013 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships in the senior category. They are coached by Scott Rachuk and Alison Purkiss at the Competitive Skating Centre of Strathroy.

Skate Canada Director High Performance, Mike Slipchuk, will be the Canadian team leader at the event. Shirley Kushner of Westmount, Que., will be the Canadian team physiotherapist and Karen Howard of Regina, Sask., will be the Canadian official at the event.