Figure Skating

COLORADO SPRINGS - Reigning world and Olympic silver medal ice dance duo Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto of the United States said Tuesday they are pulling out of the Grand Prix final next week in Tokyo.

The five-time US ice dance champions will not compete December 3-6 because Belbin underwent oral surgery Tuesday to ease the pain of an impacted wisdom tooth and was advised to avoid strenuous activity for at least a week.

"Tanith and I are very disappointed that we won't be able to compete at the Grand Prix Final," Agosto said.

"Tanith had been attempting to control the infection with antibiotics, but unfortunately surgery became necessary to prevent more serious problems. It will be about a week before she can return to full training."

Despite the disruption to their schedule, Agosto said they will be ready to compete at the US Championships, the US qualifying meet for February's Vancouver Winter Olympics. The US meet is January 14-24 at Spokane, Washington.

"As soon as Tanith is ready, we'll be back on the ice and training," Agosto said.
The couple, who qualified for this year's final with triumphs at China and Skate America, missed last season's Grand Prix final and US nationals because Agosto had a back injury.

Belbin and Agosto, runners-up at the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics, took world silver medals in 2005 and 2009 and finished third at 2006 and 2007 worlds. They train under former Olympic champions Natalia Linichuk and Gennadi Karponosov.