Moore-Towers and Marinaro seventh at world championships

SAITAMA, Japan – Canadians Kirsten Moore-Towers and Michael Marinaro placed seventh in pairs on Thursday at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships.

Wenjing Sui and Cong Han of China won the gold medal with 234.84 points. Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov of Russia were second at 228.47 and their compatriots Natalia Zabiiako and Alexander Enbert third at 217.98.

Moore-Towers and Marinaro, skating to a Pink Floyd medley, tabulated 200.02. It was clear at the end of their skate they were not pleased.

“It wasn’t our day, I suppose, we’re not really sure,” said Moore-Towers, from St. Catharines, Ont. “We were so prepared. Our mindset was perfect all week. We were so ready and excited. Our warm-up was perfect. Unfortunately it didn’t work out.”

Evelyn Walsh and Trennt Michaud

Evelyn Walsh of London, Ont., and Trennt Michaud of Trenton, Ont., completed their worlds debut in 12^th with 174.40, a season’s best score.

“We’re very pleased we delivered our best,” said Walsh. “It’s been a long season and we wanted to peak at the right time. Everything for us this year was a first and we just wanted to soak it all in.”

The Americans are 1-2 after the men’s short program. Defending champion Nathan Chen leads with 107.40 and Jason Brown is second at 96.81. Two-time Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan is third at 94.87.

Canadian champion Nam Nguyen of Toronto is 13^th and Keegan Messing of Sherwood Park, Alta., is 14^th.

“The way I’ve been training the short program all year has been consistent and strong,” Nguyen said. “There were a couple of shaky elements but overall I’m proud I was able to put out a decent performance.”

Messing fell on his opening quad toe.

“The quad has been a very consistent element for me all year,” said Messing. “I guess it wasn’t on today so I left it behind me and proceeded to fight for every element afterwards.”

Competition continues Friday with the rhythm dance and the women’s free skate. The event is streamed live at CBC.ca starting at 11 p.m. (EDT) Thursday evening. (12 p.m. Friday in Japan)

Full results: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1819/wc2019/