News
March 04, 2007
Stephen Carriere claims Junior World men’s title
Stephen Carriere likes the new judging system.
With a sixth-place standing after the short program at the World Junior Figure Skating Championships in Oberstdorf, Germany, Carriere’s chances of medaling would have been limited under the old system. But with perhaps the best performance of his life in the free skate, Carriere posted an early total score of 188.87 and just sat back to wait for the other skaters to do their jobs.
As it turns out, Carriere’s Buddy Rich-inspired program, which included a triple Axel among his eight triples to attain a program score of 131.16, was a bar the other skaters just couldn’t reach. With four top skaters still remaining, Carriere watched while each took the ice. And when the music stopped on the final skater, Carriere’s name remained in the lead.
This is the second time in SCOB history that a member won the World Junior Figure Skating Championships. Jennifer Kirk won the ladies title in 2000, also in Oberstdorf.
“There is a banner on the wall of the Club, and there is ‘Jennifer Kirk, 2000 World Junior Champion,'” Carriere said. “I'm glad I can now add my name to it.”
Carriere’s title represents the first win by the U.S. in the men’s division since Johnny Weir’s in 2001. Unlike that year, however, U.S. skaters swept the divisions in 2007, claiming all four titles and nine out of 12 medals overall.
