Two-time world champions Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo skated to a convincing lead after the pairs short program despite a small tumble on their throw triple loop on the first day of the Cup of China - the fourth leg of the International Skating Union (ISU) Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2004/05, while another Chinese pair, Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao, came in second yesterday at Beijing Capital Gymnasium.

Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto from the United States led after the ice dancing compulsory dance with two Russians Irina Slutskaya and Viktoria Solchkova, ranking the top two in the ladies' singles short program.

Shen/Zhao, who started their new season with a victory in the Skate Canada International last month, sent their home fans into ecstasy with a smooth program which includes their trademark high-flying twist and whirling lift.

Despite Shen's one-handed landing, the experienced duo earned the highest program components score of 31.68 points to the music of "Au Clair de Lune" by Claude Debussy, and 66.38 for the short program.

The younger Zhangs finished a clean short program, featuring a high double twist as well as a huge throw triple loop and a difficult Lasso lift, to the music of "All Alone".

They got the highest score for technical elements 35.16, but a lower 27.12 program components score left them in second place behind Shen and Zhao with 62.28.

Canadian national champions Valerie Marcoux and Craig Buntin shared the same technical score with the Zhangs, coming in third place with 61.84.

"The error was unfortunate today because we nearly made no mistake in this movement before," said Shen. "We will pay a lot of attention on it in the free skating."

The two Zhangs, winners of Skate America, tried every gear to skate to the top as the second pair to perform but had to settle for second place for a relatively weaker artistic impression.

"We performed well today," said Zhang Hao. "We felt a lot of support from the home spectators. We should say a big thanks to them."

The ice dancing champions of Skate America, Belbin and Agosto put on a smooth performance of the Waltz to take the lead on the first day. With an excellent interpretation on the character of the dance and their technical supremacy, the 2004 Four Continents Champions scored 40.07 points to stay top. Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon from Canada came second with 39.37 points as Galit Chait and Sergei Sakhnovski of Israel ranked third with 37.77.

"It's a great start for the competition here," said the lead duo. "The Chinese audience are incredible."

In the ladies' singles competition, the returning 2002 world champion Slutskaya gave a compelling program, starting with a triple lutz and double loop combination and scoring the highest points in both technical elements (34.84) and program components (28.12).

"I feel happy with the competition today," said the 25-year-old Russian, who made her debut this season in Beijing. "Although I made a couple of mistakes, I skated well. You will see what will happen in the free skating."

Another Russian Volchkova came second with 53.14 points, while Angela Nikodinov from the US finished third with 49.82 points.

The event continues on Friday with original dance, men's short program and pairs free skating.

(China Daily November 12, 2004)