Canadian skater Reynolds to skip Grand Prix event due to skating boot problems

OTTAWA – Canada’s Kevin Reynolds is scratching another event from his figure skating calendar due to equipment problems.

He will not compete in the Nov. 22-24 Grand Prix event in Moscow due to continuing issues with his skating boots, Skate Canada said Tuesday in a release.

The announcement came less than a week after Reynolds announced his withdrawal from the recent Cup of China because of the same problem.

“It was a difficult decision,” said Skate Canada high-performance director Mike Slipchuk. “But Kevin and his coach Joanne McLeod felt that with the training time that he has missed because of being unable to resolve the issue with his boots, it was wiser to withdraw from the event.

“That will give Kevin plenty of training time leading into the Canadian Tire national skating championships in Ottawa in January.”

Reynolds, a 23-year-old North Vancouver native, has been hampered by the equipment problem for at least two months. He used a different pair of skates last season when he had his breakout victory at the Four Continents competition in Japan.

Those skates are too worn to be used again this season, Slipchuk said last week.

Reynolds was fifth at the 2013 world championships and if he can sort out his equipment issues, could be in the mix of contenders at the Sochi Olympics.

Three-time world champion Patrick Chan of Toronto will be a favourite in the men’s competition. Canada is also expected to be a medal favourite in the new team event.

The national championships are set for Jan. 9-15 in Ottawa and the 2014 Sochi Olympics will be held Feb. 7-23.