Figure Skating

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. - After being away from competition for two years, Chinese stars Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo have one goal this season: to win the gold medal at the Olympic Games.

Judging by what they did Friday, they just might. The two-time Olympic bronze medallists won the short program at Skate America, with such flair and breathtaking presence, they earned a standing ovation from the small crowd in the Herb Brooks Arena.

They set a record short -program score for themselves of 74.36 points, defeating the second-placed team from Ukraine by 12.66 points.

Not only that, Shen and Zhao equaled the all-time high score for a short program, set by their countrymen Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao at the 2008 world championships.

Friday, the Zhangs finished only fifth, with a score of only 56.84 after doubling a triple Salchow, messing up a combination spin, and getting only a rudimentary level of difficulty on a death spiral.

Ukrainians Tatiana Volosozhar and Stanislav Morozov finished second with 61.70, while Canadian silver medallists Meagan Duhamel of Lively, Ont., and Craig Buntin of Kelowna, B.C. picked a good time to land their triple jumps and finished third with 59.64 points, well ahead of the Zhangs, who are three-time world silver medallists and the 2006 Olympic silver medallists.

Shen and Zhao, who haven't competed since winning the 2007 world championships in Tokyo, admitted to a little jet lag, and during practice yesterday and even during warmup, Zhao had difficulties landing a triple toe loop.

But when show time came, Zhao mastered the jump perfectly, and off the duo went, skating to an expressive routine choreographed by Canadian Lori Nichol.

It was Shen's 31st birthday yesterday, and when someone in the crowd wished her well, Zhao bowed politely in thanks.

Zhao is 36 years old, the same age as never-say-die U.S. pair skater, John Baldwin.

The second oldest man in the pair event here is Morozov, who is 30 years old.

Zhao said he was "so excited" to be back and so happy to be able to do it. He admitted he was a little tired from jet lag, coming from Beijing. Shen admitted she had slept little.

The Chinese couple married each other after Zhao proposed to Shen on the ice at the end of their free skate in Tokyo. They say while they took out a licence and married in 2007, they have not actually had time to have a wedding celebration.

They have been skating in Stars on Ice tours during their time off.
Zhao admitted that the biggest challenge to coming back was a spate of minor injuries to his back, shoulder and knee during the first two months. They returned to competitive training last May.

Duhamel and Buntin flawed the landing of their throw triple Lutz and they did only a double twist.

"The speed was good and the performance was good,'' Duhamel said. "Those were the highest components we had in the short program yet and it wasn't a perfect skate, so that's really positive for us. The speed and the performance was missing in China two weeks ago. And that's what we brought here. Usually the elements go a little better. It kind of goes hand in hand.''

"Usually in the season, you see elements happening but maybe speed and performance and the program suffering.'' Buntin said. "But I find in the past two performances, the foundation is there and we're well set up for the rest of the season.''

Duhamel and Buntin scored 25.80 points for their program components or presentation. Shen and Zhao had 32.96.