Osmond steps closer to national figure skating title

Kaetlyn Osmond reacts her her results after her short program during the 2013 Canadian Figure Skating Championships in Mississauga on Friday, Jan. 18, 2013. (The Canadian Press/Nathan Denette)

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The Canadian Press
Published Friday, January 18, 2013 5:23PM EST
Last Updated Friday, January 18, 2013 5:25PM EST

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. -- Kaetlyn Osmond opened her quest for her first national senior title by winning the women's short program at the Canadian figure skating championships.

The 17-year-old from Marystown, N.L., scored 70.04 points for her clean performance.

Defending champion Amelie Lacoste of Delson, Que., fell on her triple loop en route to finishing second with 57.86, while Julianne Seguin of Longueuil, Que., was third with 53.93.

Defending champions Meagan Duhamel of Lively, Ont., and Eric Radford of Balmertown, Ont., hold a narrow lead after the pairs short program.

Duhamel and Radford scored 69.08, while Kirsten Moore-Towers of St. Catharines, Ont., and Dylan Moscovitch, Waterloo, Ont., finished with 68.23. Paige Lawrence of Kennedy, Sask., and Rudi Swiegers of Kipling, Sask., were third with 54.42.

Osmond was relatively unknown before claiming bronze at last year's Canadian championships and then upset a strong field at Skate Canada International in October in her first-ever Grand Prix appearance.

Five-time Canadian champion Patrick Chan of Toronto skates the men's short program later in the day.