Russia pair Tarasova and Morozov set pace at world skate

SAITAMA, Japan: Russians Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov produced a high- energy pairs short programme Wednesday to set the pace at the world figure skating championships in Japan.

The 2018 world silver medallists sparkled in all their technical elements, topping the standings with 81.21 points on day one of the event in Saitama, north of Tokyo.

China’s Olympi c si lve r medallists Sui Wenjing and Han Cong, who took gold at last month’s Four Continents competition, scored 79.24 points ahead of compatriots Peng Cheng and Jin Yang on 75.51.

European champions Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres were among the favourites but a poor skate capped by a fall by James, who also suffered a collision in warm-up, left the French pair back in seventh place on 68.67 points before Thursday’s free skate.

On Wednesday evening, Russia’s Olympic champion Alina Zagitova and Japanese teen sensation Rika Kihira clash in the women’s short programme with Pyeongchang si lver meda l l i st Evgenia Medvedeva also expected to push for a third world title.

The men’s competition kicks off on Thursday with Japan’s “Ice Prince” Yuzuru Hanyu, who retained his Olympic crown last year, chases his third world title after recovering from strained ankle ligaments.

The 24-year- old faces a test in the shape of American Nathan Chen, the defending champion, and fellow Japanese Shoma Uno, runner-up in Pyeongchang and recent Four Continents winner. — AFP