Germany’s Savchenko-Massot win world pairs title, set world record
ASSAGO, Italy — Olympic figure skating champions Aliona Savchenko and Bruno Massot of Germany set a world record as they claimed their first world title as a pair with a flawless program packed with daring and grace Thursday.
The silver went to Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov of Russia skating fast, even if at times faltering, in eye-popping yellow polka dots to Christina Aguilera’s “Candyman,” and the bronze to Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres of France, who kept their nerves and nailed the rest of their program after she fell badly on an early triple throw.
Massot’s mouth fell open as the free program score was read out: 162.86 points, topping their own world record at the Olympics just a month ago of 159.81 and more than 18 points ahead of the second-placed Russians. Their total score, 245.84, also set a record. “It was exactly the season we wanted,” Massot said. A former French skater, Massot teamed with Savchenko in 2014 after her former partner, Robyn Szolkowy, retired after their fifth world title together.
“‘I realized today the crazy work I had to do over these four years,” Massot said. “It was hard work for her to bring me to her level. And hard work for me to come to her level.”
Nathan Chen of the U.S. neatly vanquished ghosts of the Olympic short program to finish first going into the men’s final free.
After bombing the short in South Korea, Chen wanted to redeem himself at the worlds. “Ultimately, I am proud of what I did,” Chen said. The U.S. champion hit two quads, one in combination, but the landings were a little off and he was marked slightly down. Still, the 101.94 score was a huge improvement on the 82.27 at the Olympics, though still shy of his personal best.