News
December 4, 2007
Carriere brings home Grand Prix bronze
It's a familiar tale: Stephen Carriere goes off to competition and hits a new personal best. This week, his performance at the ISU Grand Prix NHK Trophy carried a bonus - his first Grand Prix medal and positioning as the first alternate to the Grand Prix Final.
Anyone who has watched Carriere practice in the past few weeks knows he's been a study in determination, doing triple run-throughs of his programs to build strength and stamina for the long trip to Sendai, Japan. Clearly his work ethic is paying off as Carriere posted personal bests for both his short and long programs in Japan.
In the short, a Zeppelin-inspired guitar duet by Rodrigo y Gabriela captivated the crowd. Carriere opened with a stunning circular footwork sequence, providing the imagery of "Stairway to Heaven" and culminating in a triple Axel. He also completed a triple flip-double toe and triple Lutz. For both his circular and straight-line step sequences he was awarded level 3s, but it was his fast and intricate spins that elevated this program, earning all level 4s with no negative GOEs. His marks of 67.85 left him in third behind World silver medallist Daisuke Takahashi at the end of the short program.
In the long program, American Jeremy Abbott provided the dramatic backdrop as his long program performance - the first of the day - posted a score that vaulted him from last after the short program to first place and held him there through nine skaters. With only three skaters remaining, Carriere took the ice for his stylish Brian Setzer number. In all, he completed eight triples, including five that were highlighted late in the program for bonus points. Working with precision to capture every possible point under the scoring system, Carriere received all positive GOEs for his step sequences and spins, earning a final score of 137.13 and a sizable lead. In the end, veterans Takahashi and Tomas Verner of Czech Republic captured the gold and silver spots, but Carriere's 204.98 total score showed he was more than ready to stand on the podium with the best.
