Figure Skating

MOSCOW - Reigning Olympic champion Evgeni Plushenko returns to competition for the first time in three years as he opens his Olympic campaign at the Russian leg of the ISU Grand Prix series here Friday.

The 26-year-old Russian, who did not compete after his success at the 2006 Turin Games, has been lured out of retirement in the hope of claiming a second gold in Vancouver next February.

Plushenko, who is also a member of the legislative chamber in his native St. Petersburg, has already won a national competition earlier this month with a score of 97.36 points in his short programme.

But the second of the six-leg ISU Grand Prix series will be the first international test which will determine whether the three-time world and five-time European champion still has what it takes to skate among the elite.

Plushenko will present "Concierto de Aranjuez" for his short program, and "Tango Amore" by Edvin Marton for his free skate.

But the Russian admitted that he needed more competitive practice and a lot more work at home to polish his routines.

"I'm not ready yet to perform at the Olympics but I'm working hard to reach my top form in the near future," Plushenko said.

"There are plenty of little details to work on to get ready to fight for the Olympic Games gold medal.

"The Grand Prix stage in Moscow is a serious milestone for me. I've the good fortune to be able to perform in front of my supporters at my home ice. It's thrilling!" he insisted.

"But it's not the deciding event that shows whether I am ready to compete at the highest level or not. It's just another stage of my preparations for the Olympic Games."

His challengers include American Johnny Weir, the 2008 world bronze medallist, back after a ten-month break after failing to make the Four Continents or world championships team last season.

Japan's Takahiko Kozuka is also targeting a place on the podium over two days at the Moscow Ice Palace, along with Belgian champion Kevin van der Perren.

In the women's event, two former Japanese world champions are the favourites, with Mao Asada up against compatriot Miki Ando.

Asada, the 2008 world champion, will need to win to assure her place in the ISU Grand Prix final in Tokyo in December.

She will also be looking to correct the mistakes which resulted in her struggling to second place behind South Korea's Yu-Na Kim in the Trophee Eric Bompard in Paris last weekend.

Ando, the 2007 world champion, won bronze at last season's world championships, ahead of Asada. She will be opening her season and also bidding for her first Grand Prix gold medal since Skate America in 2006.
Americans Alissa Czisny and Ashley Wagner are also hoping for podium finishes, with former world champion teammate Kimmie Meissner withdrawing injured from the competition two weeks ago.

Alena Leonova, the reigning junior world champion, could also prove to be a threat and give Russia their first medal in the women's Grand Prix since 2005.

In pairs, Russia's Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov look clear favourites, but could be pushed hard by China's Pang Qing and Tong Jian.

In ice dancing, Meryl Davis and Charlie White of the United States are favourites after reigning world champions Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin of Russia withdrew after Shabalin picked up a knee injury.