Shen,Zhao Lead Cup Of China After Short Program

　　世界冰坛顶级盛事－－国际滑联花样滑冰大奖赛中国站在北京拉开大幕，中国著名双人滑组合申雪和赵宏博技压群雄以66.38分夺得短节目头名。

China's two-time world champions Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo skated to a convincing lead after the pairs short program in the Cup of China figure skating competition, the fourth leg of the six-round ISU Grand Prix series.

China's Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao, fresh from their victory in Skate America last month, are sitting second ahead of the free skating final. Russia's former world champion Irina Slutskaya topped the ladies' singles short programme, while in the ice dancing category, Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto of the United States took the lead. Shen and Zhao, who won the world pairs titles in 2002 and 2003, delighted the 1,000 home fans with a smooth programme which included their trademark high-flying twists and whirling lifts. Despite Shen's one-hand landing during the throw triple loop, the pair earned a total of 66.38 for their routine to Debussy's "Claire de Lune". "The error was totally accidental. We never failed in practice after we returned from Skate Canada," said Zhao, referring to Shen's slip. The Zhangs short programme featured a high double twist as well as a huge throw triple loop and a difficult Lasso lift to the music of "All Alone" which earned them the highest technical mark but second overall with 62.28. "We performed well today," said Zhang Hao. "We feel strong support from the home spectators. We should thank them a lot." Slutskaya, the 2002 world champion, staged an impressive comeback from a one-year break to lead the women's event with 62.96, ahead of fellow Russian Viktoria Volchkova, 53.16, and American Angela Nikodinov third on 49.82. "I was happy with the competition today, although I made a couple of mistakes," said the 25-year-old Slutskaya. "You will see what will happen in free skating." Skate America champions Belbin and Agosto, put on a smooth performance to take the ice dancing lead on the first day with 40.07 points ahead of Canada's Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon.