2003 ISU Grand Prix Final

28 Feburary

Ladies, Short Program

Shizuka Arakawa (JPN), 2003 Four Continents silver medalist
I found out about competing here after the Four Continents. I had too many competitions. It’s difficult, so I needed some rest after the Four Continents.
I had to remember my old Free Program (for the Final). That was hard, so I was mainly practising the old program.

Elena Liashenko (UKR), 1995 European bronze medalist
I did everything, it was a clean performance. It worked out for me. I chose my current Free Program, the Tango, for the first Free Skating this evening.

Fumie Suguri (JPN), 2003 Four Continents Champion
I didn’t skate well this afternoon, I was too slow in the landing of my first jump. It’s hard to skate here two weeks after the Four Continents. There was not really time for practice. I just tried to look on my condition and to stay healthy.

Viktoria Volchkova (RUS), 2002 Cup of Russia Champion
I’m very happy to have done a clean Short Program. There were just minor things that I still can improve and that I have to work on. I was especially happy about my triple Flip, finally I did it!

Irina Slutskaya (RUS), 2002 World Champion

I think this was a performance good for the first place. Now I go back to the hotel, have some rest, and I’ll fight again in the Long Program.

Sasha Cohen (USA), 2002 Trophee Lalique & Skate Canada Champion
I had a lot of experience this season, and I feel more confident with every competition. This is a new experience for me, first time doing the Grand Prix Final. We’ll see how that Long Program is like. I’ve been practising it well. I’ll just attack every element and try to put out a good program.