NEUMARKT, Italy — David Li of Vancouver highlighted a four-medal medal day for Canada with gold in the men’s novice event Friday at the ISU Egna Spring Trophy figure skating competition in Italy.
Li was first after the short program and hung on to top spot with the second-best free skate, totalling 126.82 points.
Krik Haugeto of the U.S. took the silver with 124.23 and David Bondar of Richmond Hill, Ont., won the bronze with 118.08.
‘’After holding back a bit at my previous competitions, I just decided to go for it here,’’ said Li, 14. ‘’I thought travelling without my parents for the first time would affect me, but it didn’t really feel that different.’’
Edward Nicholas Vasii of Montreal made it three Canadians in the top-five placing fifth at 111.58.
Hetty Shi of Mississauga, Ont., added a silver in women’s novice. Mao Shimada of Japan won the gold with 160.68. Shi, moved from fourth after the short, to reach the podium with 128.05.
Amanda Ghezzo of Italy was third at 118.33, Kara Yun of Vancouver fourth at 117.97 and Lulu Lin of Oakville, Ont., eighth.
‘’I would have wanted to do the triple toe after the axel but it was overall OK,’’ said Shi, 13. ‘’I was happy that some of the little things I worked on in training like my facial expression were much better.’’
Fiona Bombardier of Newmarket, Ont., took bronze in the women’s junior event.
Anna Pezzetta of Italy was first with 172.96, Hannah Herrera of the U.S. was second at 154.28 and Bombardier surged from sixth after the short to produce the second-best free skate and take third at 151.82
Abbie Balzter of Hamilton was sixth.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 8, 2022.
The Canadian Press
