Stojko Isn’t All Shook Up After His Crash

Elvismania has left the building.

The two-time defending champion, home-country hero and recipient of standing ovations and flowers even in practices, Elvis Stojko of Canada crashed on a triple axel during his speedway routine in the men’s short program at the world figure skating championships Wednesday.

It was a close contest as to whether he or the crowd in the Edmonton Coliseum was more stunned about his seventh-place finish, virtually out of contention for a medal after tonight’s long program.

Likely to be on the podium in some combination are a couple of Russians, first-place Ilya Kulik and third-place Alexei Urmanov, and a couple of Americans, second-place Todd Eldredge and fourth-place Rudy Galindo. Kulik and Eldredge were close, the former winning first-place votes from five judges and the latter from four.

But most of the skaters seemed less interested in discussing their own performances than Stojko’s. It came as a shock because he has been brilliant in practices.

“He’s so consistent, but there’s so much pressure on him,” Galindo said. “I feel bad for him.”

Stojko, unable to complete his required combination jump after falling on the triple axel, admitted he was overwhelmed by the support he received here. More than 6,000 fans were attending his practices.

“There’s no sadness,” he said. “I don’t know why. I’m kind of happy. There was so much talk about winning at home and becoming a three-time champion. You end up caught in that. Now I have a chance to do what I want to do, skate for me and nobody else. I just need some time and space for myself.”