Plushenko wins
Skating Challenge

Evgeni Plushenko

April 6, 2004

World Champion Evgeni Plushenko won the men’s championship at the Marshall’s World Skating Challenge at Providence, R.I., Tuesday night.

Plushenko, a three-time World Champion, capped a terrific year by beating his world rival, Brian Joubert of France.

Plushenko was relieved with his victory. He competed throughout the season with a torn meniscus in his right knee that will require off-season surgery to repair. “If you win the (World) championship you should just go forward,” Plushenko said. “I skated the last four days. I didn’t jump at all. It was the final competition of the season, so I’m happy.”

U.S. National Champion Johnny Weir finished third. The crowd voiced its displeasure when Weir’s marks were posted.

Irina Slutskaya, who has been battling vasculitis, which can cause major vascular organs to deteriorate, got a standing ovation after her program. She finished fourth. “That (ovation) was amazing. I feel much more comfortable than two, three months ago. I miss this.”

Japan’s Fumie Suguri finished seventh.

Each athlete performed one free skate in front of an international panel of five judges. ABC will nationally broadcast the event on May 9 from 1-3 p.m. EDT. Please check your local listings.

Plushenko, Weir, Slutskaya, Suguri, Elena Sokolova and World pair champions Tatiana Totmianina and Maxim Marinin will be skating on the Champions On Ice Tour this spring. Go to www.championsonice.com to purchase tickets to the show nearest you.