Czisny leads at Skate Canada after short program

ST. JOHN’S, Newfoundland – American Alissa Czisny won the women’s short program at Skate Canada on Friday night, and Germany’s Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy claimed the pairs title.

The 18-year-old Czisny was first with 58.54 points. Japan’s Fumie Suguri, a former world bronze medallist, was second with 52.12, and Canadian champion Joannie Rochette was third with 50.68.

Czisny, seventh at the U.S. nationals last winter, got into Skate America last weekend and won silver.

“It was better than what I did at Skate America and a personal best for me,” Czisny said.

She scored high in spins, spirals and footwork and completed all the required jumps cleanly.

Italy’s Carolina Kostner, the top seed and reigning world bronze medallist, received a score of 49.46.

Czisny almost didn’t make it to St. John’s.

She returned home to Ohio from Atlantic City on Monday and traveled to Detroit on Tuesday for a practice and flight to St. John’s via New York. The flight was canceled. A missed connection Wednesday stranded her in New York overnight. She practiced in New Jersey on Thursday and finally in Newfoundland at midnight Thursday night.

“I’m tired, but I’m used to skating tired so I just tried to go out there thinking about my jumps,” she said.

Czisny has been moving into the spotlight for the last five years. She was sixth at the 2005 world junior championships.

“She does very well internationally, generally,” said her coach, Julianne Berlin. “Her issues have been competing at nationals, where she would not put up clean performances.

“That caused her not to get into the big Grand Prix events.”

Suguri has been worried about aggravating a right groin injury. She was off ice for six weeks after pulling the muscle in early September.

The men’s and women’s free skate finals are today.