Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 10, 1995 TAG: 9503100067
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND LENGTH: Medium
Stojko became the first repeat champion since fellow Canadian Kurt Browning won three titles from 1989-91.
Stojko touched down trying a rare quadruple jump, but he didn't need it. Performing as Christopher Columbus to the soundtrack of ``1492: Conquest of Paradise'' he hit six of seven triple-jump attempts.
The French judge gave Stojko a perfect 6.0 for technical merit, and he received no mark less than 5.8 for either technical merit or presentation to finish first on six of the nine scorecards.
The other three judges voted for U.S. champion Todd Eldredge, who completed a remarkable comeback season to take silver. Eldredge had led after Wednesday's short program.
Skating as a Civil War soldier to the ``Gettysburg'' soundtrack, Eldredge fell on a triple axel but hit seven other triples. He pumped his arms in triumph to the 6,600 fans at the NEC Arena at the end of his routine.
His marks ranged from 5.7-5.8 and 5.7-5.9.
Frenchman Philippe Candeloro, in a reprise of his ``Godfather'' routine - complete with gray hair and an enhanced goatee - took the bronze, moving up from fifth after the short.
Stojko, 23, tore a ligament above his right ankle in a fall during practice for the Canadian nationals on Jan. 10. The pain spread to his Achilles' tendon, knee and lower back, jeopardizing his chance of skating at the Worlds.
But Stojko, a psychology student and martial arts master who likes dirt-biking and often quotes from the Zen philosophy, relied on acupuncture, physiotherapy and his own mental toughness to put aside the pain.
Olympic champion Alexei Urmanov was fourth. American Scott Davis, third after the short program, performed only four triples and looked exhausted at the end of his ``Untouchables'' routine. He finished seventh.
by CNB