World silver medallist Rochette trails Phaneuf after short program at Canadian Championships

Rochette trails Phaneuf after short program

LONDON, Ontario — Defending champion Joannie Rochette fell during her short routine at the Canadian Figure Skating Championships on Friday and trails Cynthia Phaneuf heading into the long program.

Phaneuf scored 66.30 points to win the short program ahead of Rochette, who received 64.15 points after her spill.

“Stuff like that happens and you have to deal with it,” said Rochette, who fell on her opening triple Lutz. “But I was still able to get a good score to be in a good position for the free skate and that’s what a short program is for — at least in my case.”

Amelie Lacoste was third with 53.99 points.

Rochette also trailed Phaneuf at last year’s Canadian championships before bouncing back in the long program to win her fifth straight title. Rochette, the world silver medalist, has already clinched one of the two women’s singles spots on Canada’s Olympic team.

Phaneuf, the 2004 champion, knows maintaining a lead through Saturday’s long program won’t be easy.

But then, the veteran said earning a ticket to Vancouver is her main goal.

“I’m not going to say I was not thinking about (winning the title), but I’m coming here to get to the Olympics, and this is my goal,” Phaneuf said. “For sure I’m not going to think about it when I’m doing my program, but I’m coming here for nothing else but that.”

Later on Friday, Annabelle Langlois and Cody Hay won the pairs short program with a score of 65.47 points. Defending champions Jessica Dube and Bryce Davison were second with 62.87 points, while Meagan Duhamel and Craig Buntin were third with 62.38.

Canada’s two entries in pairs for the Olympics will be up for grabs in Saturday’s free program.