Savchenko, Szolkowy lead pairs event at worlds

Associated Press
Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany perform during the pairs short program of the World Figure Skating Championships in Saitama, near Tokyo Wednesday, March 26, 2014. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)

SAITAMA, Japan (AP) — Four-time world champions Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany finished first after the pairs short program at World Figure Skating Championships on Wednesday.

Two-time Olympic bronze medalists Savchenko and Szolkowy received 79.02 points to finish ahead of world bronze medalists Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford of Canada, who had 77.01 points.

Olympic silver medalists Ksenia Stolbova and Fedor Klimov of Russia were third with 76.15 points.

The men's short program is later Wednesday when Japanese teenager Yuzuru Hanyu is aiming to add a world title to his Olympic gold medal.

The pairs event concludes Thursday with the free skate. A total of 177 skaters from 38 countries are competing in the March 26-30 worlds at Saitama Arena on the outskirts of Tokyo.