Phan fourth at ISU Junior Grand Prix opener

BRISBANE, Australia – A rough start to his free skate landed Joseph Phan of Laval, Que., in fourth place in men’s singles on Friday at the opening stop on the ISU Junior Grand Prix figure skating circuit.

Alexei Krasnozhon of the U.S. won the gold medal with 209.37 points followed by two Russians: Roman Savosin in second at 196.20 and Egor Rukhin third at 185.12.

The 16-year-old Phan was second after the short program on Thursday but ranked seventh for his long.

‘’I was too hesitant in my free skate,’’ said Phan, fifth and sixth in his junior Grand Prix performances last season. ‘’When things started not to go right I was changing my plan on the fly.’’

Phan fell on his opening quad in his free skate performed to The Godfather soundtrack. He stood on his triple Axel after missing it in the short but fell on his triple Lutz which blew the wind out of his sails.

‘’I was landing my quad and Axel consistently in practice,’’ he said. ‘’I think those jumps are getting better and better. But tonight the quad toe I didn’t feel stable. I’ve got five weeks until my next  Grand Prix and I want to correct those errors.’’

Canada is in medal contention in ice dancing with Marjorie Lavoie of Boucherville, Que., and Zachary Lagha of Greenfield Park, Que., second after the short dance with 58.55. Sofia Polishchuk and Alexander Vakhnov of Russia lead at 61.08.

Natalie d’Alessandro and Bruce Waddell of Toronto are sixth.

In women’s competition, Canadian junior champion Aurora Cotop of Toronto is ninth after the short program.

Competition ends Saturday with the free dance and women’s free skate.

Full results: ISU JGP Brisbane 2017

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