Oct 10, 2011
Kim Navarro and Russ Courtnall have been eliminated from Season III of Battle of the Blades.
On Sunday the pair skated to "Dancing Fool" by Barry Manilow for the "Beat" themed Week 3 and following the performance, the judges awarded the duo one of the highest marks of the evening.
Paul Martini, who was standing in on Sunday for resident Judge Jeremy Roenick, said the program carried "a real light breeze feel out there."
But come Monday, Canadians had spoken... and they did it with conviction.
Navarro and Courtnall went from the top of the leader board to the chopping block alongside ice dancing duo Tanith Belbin and Boyd Devereaux.
The Monday judging panel of Sandra Bezic, Shae-Lynn Bourne and guest-judge Mark Napier struggled with the decision.
"I have to say, I don't think either of you should have been here today," lamented Bourne, a Season 1 and 2 Battle of the Blades veteran who was filling in for Roenick.
But noting the footwork and challenging choreography in Belbin and Devereaux's performance, the judges chose to eliminate Navarro and Courtnall.
Courtnall took the place of the late Wade Belak in this season's competition. He and Navarro were skating on behalf of Belak's charity: the Tourette's Syndrome Neurodevelopmental Clinic at the Toronto Western Hospital. For their participation alone, Courtnall and Navarro earned $25,000 for the charity.
The judges have the opportunity to "save" one pair from elimination this season, but they chose not to play that card on Monday.
Remaining in the competition are:
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