READING, Pennsylvania, 27 October 2003 — Sasha Cohen captured the ladies’ title at the Skate America ISU Grand Prix event on Saturday, crediting a new philosophy with improving her performance in the free skate.
Cohen, who emerged with the victory despite two-footing the landing on her triple flip, said one of her main goals this season is to have fun when she skates.
Cohen received a total score of 130.89 for the free skate and an overall total of 197.35, ahead of compatriot Jennifer Kirk and Japan’s Shizuka Arakawa.
Cohen’s was one of four US medals, including three golds, at Skate America, the opening event on the ISU Grand Prix calendar.
Among the gold medalists for the hosts were Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto, who earned their first Grand Prix ice dance title.
Ukraine’s Elena Grushina and Ruslan Goncharov placed second with a total competition score of 197.66. Isabelle Delobel and Olivier Schoenfelder of France finished third, with a free dance to Merlin by M. Rodriguez. Pang Qing and Tong Jian won the pairs gold as China put two teams on the pairs podium.
