Canada's reigning pairs champion Jessica Dube underwent surgery on Thursday after she was sliced in the face by her partner's skate during the Four Continents Championships.
The accident overshadowed a pairs victory by two-time Olympic bronze medalists Shen Xue (申雪) and Zhao Hongbo (趙宏博) of China.
Shen and Zhao won their second Four Continents crown by dominating the nine-team field at the World Arena in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
PHOTO: AP
The 19-year-old Dube was met by a trauma specialist when she arrived at Memorial Hospital. After X-rays were taken she was taken into operating room.
"It was decided at the time that it was best to take her to surgery for exploration of the wound and repair," International Skating Union spokesperson Jane Moran said. "She's in surgery having that repair at this time."
Moran said the skate blade cut Dube's nose and her left cheek, but did not affect her eye. A decision on Dube's length of stay in hospital was to be made yesterday.
"Depending on how she is in the morning it will be decided whether she'll stay for further observation or she'll be discharged," Moran said.
Dube was taken from the ice on stretcher and rushed to hospital after she was struck under her left eye by her partner Bryce Davison's skate during a side-by-side spin.
She fell hard, face down and brought her hands to her face as blood pooled on the ice. Dube and Davison, 21, won the Canadian title two weeks ago.
They were the first team to perform their free skate.
"Jessica and Bryce were skating this evening, and unfortunately Jessica had an accident with the skate blade to her face," Moran said. "She sustained a laceration to the left side of her face over the cheek and part of her nose."
Annie Barabe, Canadian coach of Dube and Davison, said Dube was receiving a good treatment in hospital.
"I was with Jessica at the hospital and she's OK," Barabe said. "She's in good spirits and sent her well wishes to all of the other skaters. She's being attended to at the hospital right now and is receiving excellent medical attention."
They were in eighth place coming into Thursday's performance after Dube fell on her entry into a salchow in Wednesday's short programme.
The two-time world champions Xue and Zhao racked up 203.05 points, a little more than three points off their personal best mark.
They won their first Four Continents title in 2003. Compatriots Pang Qing (
Shen said she and Zhao, who skated last, heard about the accident upon arriving at the rink.
"It affected me," Shen said. "I was cautious for the side-by-side spin, and we were far apart from each other."
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