Li Chengjiang of China took the men's title at the Four Continents figure skating competition on Friday in Salt Lake City, the United States.

Li, the 1999 and 2000 silver medallist in this International Skating Union event, said:

"I'm really pleased with my performance. I felt so relieved at the end. My practices have been going well this year, but then I couldn't do it in competition. This is the second time since the NHK Trophy that I landed a quadruple salchow in competition."

American veteran Todd Eldredge injured his left ankle on a landing in the short program. But after warm-ups on Friday he decided not to skate.

Japan's Takeshi Honda was second, followed by American Michael Weiss.

The World Championships are next month in Vancouver, Canada.

Canadians Shae-Lynn Bourne and Victor Kraatz warmed up for their world title bid on home territory with a victory in the ice dancing.

Leaders after both the compulsory dances and the original dance, they again topped the field in the free dance to wrap up the victory over Americans Naomi Lang and Peter Tchernyshev.

Canadians Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon were third.

(People's Daily 02/10/01)