Slutskaya slips in short program

KYOTO, Japan (AP) -- World champion Irina Slutskaya of Russia got off to a slow start Friday, finishing fourth in the women's short program at the NHK Trophy, the sixth and final leg of the ISU Grand Prix series.

Japan's Yoshie Onda turned in a technically sound performance to finish first, followed by compatriots Shizuka Arakawa and Fumie Suguri. Onda, skating to Love in Slow Motion, received marks from 5.3 to 5.8 for both required elements and presentation.

"My spins and jumps were a lot better," said Onda. "I've been working on them in practice and the hard work has paid off."

Slutskaya, who finished a disappointing third at the Cup of Russia last week, failed to execute a triple lutz-double toe loop combination in her routine to Victory by Bond and received marks ranging from 5.0 to 5.4 for required elements and 5.5 to 5.8 for presentation.

Slutskaya looked hesitant at Aqua Arena and could only manage a double lutz in her opening element. She refused to speak reporters following the short program, saying she would wait until after Saturday's free program.

Suguri, the bronze medalist at the world championships, touched down on her opening triple lutz-double toe loop combination and received marks from 5.0 to 5.5 for required elements and 5.6 to 5.9 for presentation.

In the pairs final, world champions Xue Shen and Hongbo Zhao of China won the gold medal after a stirring performance to Violin Fantasy from Puccini's Turandot that opened with a double axel-triple toe loop followed by a triple salchow jump.

The Chinese pair received marks from 5.6 to 5.8 for technical merit and 5.7 to 5.9 for presentation. Dorota Zagorska and Mariusz Siudek of Poland took the silver while Canadians Anabelle Langlois and Patrice Archetto won the bronze.

The NHK Trophy will play a role in determining the final Grand Prix standings. The top six finishers from all six events will compete in the Grand Prix final in St. Petersburg, Russia, at the beginning of March, three weeks before the world championships in Washington D.C.

In the ice dancing original program, world champions Irina Lobacheva and Ilia Averbukh of Russia solidified their lead with a performance to Blue Danube that featured difficult spins and intricate footwork.

Lobacheva and Averbukh, who won the gold medal at the Cup of Russia, received marks ranging from 5.5 to 5.8 for required elements and 5.7 to 5.9 for presentation.

The German pair of Kati Winkler and Rene Lohse, skating to a German operetta, moved into second place after combining impressive lifts and solid footwork. Galit Chait and Sergei Sakhnovski of Israel finished third.

Japan's Takeshi Honda, who finished first at Skate Canada, will be looking to defend his title in the men's event, which begins Saturday with the short program. Evgeny Plushenko of Russia, won the men's gold at the Cup of Russia and leads the Grand Prix standings, is not competing here.

 

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