Oda, Nagasu out infront in skating Cup of China

BEIJING (AFP) – Japan's Nobunari Oda staked an early lead over world men's figure skating champion Evan Lysacek of the United States on Friday after the short programme competition at the Cup of China.

Meanwhile, women's world silver medallist Joannie Rochette could manage only seventh place on the first day of the two-day Grand Prix competition, which saw 16-year-old Mirai Nagasu of the United States seize the women's top spot.

Oda finished day one with a score of 83.35 in the Cup, the third of the six-leg ISU Grand Prix figure skating series.

He was followed by Sergei Voronov of Russia at 81.40, with Lysacek within striking distance at 80.80 points.

A win in Beijing would not only book Oda's spot in the Grand Prix final in Tokyo in December but would be a psychological boost for the Japanese skater as he bids for the Olympic podium in Vancouver in February.

Lysacek, who claimed his first world title at home in Los Angeles earlier this year, will be keen to keep that momentum going as he bids for the Olympic title after finishing fourth in Turin.

Rochette has a tougher task if she hopes to salvage her hopes in Beijing.

The 23-year-old Canadian had come off a strong 2008-2009 season, winning two Grand Prix events besides finishing second at the worlds and in the Four Continents, and is gearing up for the Olympics on home soil in Canada.

But Nagasu ended the day atop the women's short programme with 62.20 points, followed by Finland's Kiira Korpi on 61.20 and Carolina Kostner of Italy at 61.12 points.

Rochette was on 52.12 points.

The home crowd was closely watching the pairs competition clash between Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo of China and their compatriots Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao, with the former coming out on top.

Former world and Olympics medallists, Shen and Zhao retired in 2007 and got married but have decided to come back for the Olympic season and had reason to celebrate on Friday.

Shen and Zhao topped the pairs short programme, followed by the Ukrainian team of Tatiana Volosozhar and Stanislav Morozov, while Lubov Iliushechkina and Nodari Maisuradze of Russia came in third.

Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao finished the programme in fourth.

The American pair of Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto finished first in both the ice dancing compulsory and original programmes, followed in each case by Jana Khokhlova and Sergei Novitski of Russia and Federica Faiella and Massimo Scali of Italy.