Three Generations of Canadian Men Compete For The First Time Together at Sears Canadian Open

Two-time Olympic silver medalist and three-time World Champion, Elvis Stojko, four-time World Champion, Kurt Browning and two-time Olympic silver medalist and World Champion, Brian Orser competed against each other for the first time at the Sears Figure Skating Open.

"It will be great for fans to see all three of us on the ice competing against each other," said Browning, just before the event. "It should be an exciting event."

The Canadians had to fend off challenges from the 1996 World Champion Todd Eldredge Todd Eldredge and nine-time British Champion Steven Cousins. The event took place on Saturday, December 4, at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga and also featured three-time World bronze medalists and six-time Canadian Dance Champions, Shae-Lynn Bourne & Victor Kraatz, and two-time and reigning Canadian Pairs Champions Kristy Sargeant & Kris Wirtz, three-time World silver medalist Surya Bonaly, and three-time Canadian Champion Josee Chouinard. The one-day event pitted the world's best amateur and professional skaters going head to head with more than $400,000 in prize money up for grabs.

"Sears is very proud to once again be sponsoring this great event," said John Menchella, National Directory, Strategic marketing, Sears Canada. "We know how much our customers and the fans enjoyed the skating."

Formerly known as the Canadian Professional Figure Skating Championship, this will be the 6th year of the event, and is the only "Open" figure skating competition held in Canada. The event was judged by ISU rules and was sanctioned by the CFSA.

RESULTS:

MEN:

1. Todd Eldredge [USA]
2. Elvis Stojko [CAN]
3. Brian Orser [CAN]
4. Kurt Browning [CAN]
5. Steven Cousins [GBR]

1. Josee Chouinard [CAN]
2. Jennifer Robinson [CAN]
3. Angela Nikodinov [USA]
4. Karen Preston [CAN]
5. Surya Bonaly [FRA]
6. Elizabeth Manley [CAN]
7. Diana Poth [HUN]

1. Berezhnaya/Sikharulidze [RUS]
2. Sargeant/Wirtz [CAN]
3. Meno/Sand [USA]

1. Bourne/Kraatz [CAN]
2. Usova/Platov [RUS]
3. Wing/Lowe [CAN]