Status quo on Battle of the Blades

From a media release:

ALL THREE REMAINING PAIRS ADVANCE TO THE BATTLE OF THE BLADES FINALE

• Injury to Marie-France Dubreuil leaves the decision in Canada’s hands

As a result of a back injury sustained earlier today, Marie-France Dubreuil was unable to skate in the scheduled Monday night skate-off on BATTLE OF THE BLADES. Judge Sandra Bezic declared all remaining three pairs safe for this week, leaving the decision to Canadians to decide next week which pair will win $100,000 for the charity of their choice.

“We felt, and the skaters agreed, that no one wanted to win this competition by default,” says Bezic. “We’re relieved that Marie-France’s injuries may allow her to skate next week. Our primary concern is for the safety of our skaters and we believe this is the fairest way to determine a winner.”

Before the judging panel made its decision, it was revealed that the two pairs with the fewest votes in the sixth week of competition were Dubreuil and Stéphane Richer along with Jamie Salé and Craig Simpson. However, instead of the usual skate-off, Salé and Simpson as well as Shae-Lynn Bourne and Claude Lemieux performed their programs for exhibition only.

The three pairs competing in the final week of the show on Sunday, November 15 are: Shae-Lynn Bourne and Claude Lemieux, Marie-France Dubreuil and Stéphane Richer, Jamie Salé and Craig Simpson.