Moore-Towers and Marinaro win bronze at U.S. International Classic

SALT LAKE CITY – Canadians Kirsten Moore-Towers and Michael Marinaro won the bronze medal in pairs on Friday at the U.S. International Figure Skating Classic.

Tarah Kayne and Daniel O’Shea of the United States took the gold with 170.30 points, edging compatriots Marissa Castelli and Mervin Tran at 169.46. Moore-Towers, of St. Catharines, Ont., and Marinaro, from Sarnia, Ont., totalled 160.08 in their season opening event.

“It felt a little slow to us, but the score was a bit of a shock,” said Moore-Towers. “We lost a few levels. Our program components score was lower than we’d like it to be. We have a lot of work to do between now and the end of October for Skate Canada.”

Vanessa Grenier of Sherbrooke, Que., and Maxime Deschamps of Vaudreuil, Que., were fourth at 148.52.

Canada is also in the medal hunt in ice dancing.

Elisabeth Paradis of Loretteville, Que., and Francois Xavier-Ouellette of Laval, Que., are tied for second spot with Laurence Fournier-Beaudry and Nikolaj Sorensen of Denmark after the short dance with 51.58. Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue of the U.S. lead at 61.08.

“We’re happy with some things, our connection together and how we told the story and followed the music,” said Paradis. “We had some struggles on a few elements.”

Competition ends Sunday with the free dance and women’s free skate.