The ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2011 officially kicked off Wednesday in Moscow, Russia, with the Pairs Short Programs.
Pang/Tong take Pairs Short Program
Qing Pang/Jian Tong of China edged out Germany's Aliona Savchenko/Robin Szolkowy by 1.02 points to win the Pairs Short Program. Russian newcomers Tatiana Volosozhar/Maxim Trankov placed third.
Pang/Tong gave a strong performance to “The Pearlfishers”, reeling off a triple toe, high throw triple Lutz, and throw triple loop. The defending World Champions posted a seasons best of 74.00 points. “It went really well today, all the elements were well done. Today's performance gives us confidence for the free skating tomorrow”, Pang commented. “We are just happy that this competition takes place and that we were able to achieve a seasons best score. Hopefully tomorrow we can skate a strong program and can land all our jumps”, added Tong.
Savchenko/Szolkowy's lively routine to “Korobushko” featured a huge throw triple flip, a triple twist and triple toe. Like Pang/Tong, they earned a level four the lift, the spin and the death spiral and a level three for the footwork. The two-time World Champions scored 72.98 points. “We did everything what we could do. My parents are here to watch and we gave everything we have”, Savchenko said. “We can sleep well tonight, relax and then skate clean tomorrow. Everything is still possible, but obviously you're more relaxed when you have a little advantage (in points). It was a great program and we did all elements. We very really happy and I think you could see that”, Szolkowy offered.
Volosozhar/Trankov turned in a dramatic performance to “Carmina Burana” by Carl Orff and nailed a big triple twist, side by side triple toe and throw triple loop to pick up 70.35 points. “We are pleasantly surprised. This is our first season together, with new coaches and a whole new team”, Volosozhar told the post-event press conference. “For us, it is already amazing that we are Russian Champions. We try not to think about winning. We just worked and try to feel better every day. We just try to skate for each other and I think it works for us”, Trankov explained.
Vera Bazarova/Yuri Larionov (RUS) are currently sitting in fourth place with a clean performance (64.64 points). Defending World bronze medalist Yuko Kavaguti/Alexander Smirnov (RUS) finished fifth after he fell in the step sequence (62.54 points).
