Buttle best in world; Weir third
GOTEBORG, Sweden - Jeffrey Buttle now has a world title to go with his Olympic bronze medal.
The Canadian won the men's title at the World Figure Skating Championships yesterday, holding off defending champion Brian Joubert and American Johnny Weir. When Buttle finished his program, he clapped, slapped both hands on the ice, and screamed, "Yeah!" He is the first Canadian man to win the world title since Elvis Stojko in 1997.
"It's always been a dream of mine to be the world champion," Buttle said. "I can't believe that I am."
When the marks went up and showed he was the winner, Buttle's eyes widened and his mouth dropped. He finished with 245.17 points, well ahead of Joubert (231.22) and Weir (221.84). Daisuke Takahashi of Japan was fourth.
The bronze medal was Weir's first at a World Championships, and kept the Americans from going home empty-handed for the first time since 1994.
Weir's finish also means the US will be able to send three men to next year's all-important World Championships, where results determine slots for the Vancouver Olympics. The top two men had to finish with a combined placement of 13 or lower to preserve the three spots, and Stephen Carriere (of Wakefield, Mass.) was 10th in his first World Championships. Jeremy Abbott, a late add after Evan Lysacek withdrew because of an injury last week, was 11th.
Until now, Buttle hadn't been able to duplicate the success he had at the Turin Olympics. He was slowed by a back injury last season, and just last month he finished second to Takahashi at the Four Continents championship.
But he skated brilliantly yesterday. Though he didn't do a quadruple jump, he did three clean combinations for a total of eight triple jumps. He had great speed, whimsical footwork, and performed with an energy and lightness that reflected the confidence he's carried during these championships.
"It's been such a great week for me," Buttle said. "It doesn't even feel real yet. It hasn't sunk in."
Joubert's finish was impressive, considering he was sixth after the short program.
The bronze medal is affirmation for Weir, who made big changes after a dismal season last year. He left longtime coach Priscilla Hill and moved away from home, going to New Jersey to train with Galina Zmievskaya, who coached Viktor Petrenko and Oksana Baiul to gold.
"I got a medal!" he said. "That makes me feel incredible. I feel great. I am happy to give the United States its only medal." 