2003 ISU Grand Prix Final

1 March

Ladies, Free Program A

Elena Liashenko (UKR), 1995 European bronze medalist
It wasn’t a bad performance. I made a mistake on the second Lutz, probably because I was a bit tired. It has been a hard day. I decided to skate this year’s program, because I skated it during the season and everything comes automatically. For the second program, I have to think more.

Fumie Suguri (JPN), 2003 Four Continents Champion
No comment.

Shizuka Arakawa (JPN), 2003 Four Continents silver medallist
I was not tired, not losing concentration when I missed some jumps in the middle of my program. It was the part I was already worried about during practice. I enjoyed skating for the second time today. I was good to  refresh last year’s program.

Sasha Cohen (USA), 2002 Trophee Lalique & Skate Canada Champion
It was something different doing a long right after the short. But it’s a learning experience for me. I can skate better than that. I have a chance to do that tomorrow. (On her mistakes) It is difficult to do two programs in one day. I just need more practice.

Viktoria Volchkova (RUS), 2002 Cup of Russia Champion
It is hard to skate two programs on one day. During the short I was just concentrating on the elements. After the short I felt like after finishing a competition. I hope will be better tomorrow. I have to do the triple-triple combinations then.

Irina Slutskaya (RUS), 2002 World Champion
There were so many Russian flags in the crowd, and everyone crossed the fingers for me. I felt pressure, I thought I really had to skate well tonight, but it was hard. It was a very good performance, the best. I went out there and fought. You have to get into competitive mood each time you go out there. This is not the first Final for me, and it’s always a difficult competition. I went out five times on the ice today – for practice, two warm ups and two competitions.