James & Aliu Finish 4th In Battle Of The Blades
Vanessa James and her partner Akim Aliu finished fourth in the ‘Battle of the Blades’ event in Canada, earning $25,000 for The Time To Dream Foundation, which aims to make youth sports, including the game of hockey, more diverse, inclusive, affordable and accessible to all.
A statement from CBC said, “In the nail-biting Season 6 finale of Battle of the Blades, two-time World pairs champion, Olympic team gold and Olympic bronze medallist, Meagan Duhamel, and her partner, Wojtek Wolski, an Olympic bronze medallist in ice hockey and former NHL player with the Colorado Avalanche, were crowned the latest champions of the popular competition series.
“The audience votes for last week’s performances by the final four pairs were combined with the judges’ scores for the pairs’ performances in the finale to determine the top two teams, who advanced to a skate-off, performing their favourite routine from the season.
“Following the exciting battle, Duhamel and Wolski received the higher score from the judges, and were awarded the trophy and $50,000 each for the Sandra Schmirler Foundation, raising funds for hospital Newborn Intensive Care Units, and The Hospital for Sick Children’s Patient Amenities Fund, a source of assistance for families with limited financial resources whose child is being cared for by SickKids.
“Alongside Duhamel and Wolski, the final four included: former Canadian Women’s Hockey League player Jessica Campbell and her partner, Canadian ice dancer and choreographer Asher Hill; professional skater and Dancing on Ice competitor Carlotta Edwards and her partner, Kris Versteeg, a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Chicago Blackhawks; and six-time French pairs champion, 2018 Grand Prix Final champion and 2019 European champion, Vanessa James, and her partner, NHL player Akim Aliu, formerly of the Calgary Flames.
“Based on the judges’ scores, Duhamel and Wolski came out on top. Battle of the Blades history was also made with the execution of the first-ever throw triples; the first pair to perform, James and Aliu, landed a huge throw triple flip, then minutes later, Duhamel and Wolski performed a perfect throw triple salchow.
“Fourth-place pair James and Aliu receive $25,000 for The Time To Dream Foundation, which aims to make youth sports, including the game of hockey, more diverse, inclusive, affordable and accessible to all.
