BEIJING, Feb. 6 (BUS) – Kamila Valeeva delivered a flawless short program to put the Russian Olympic Committee ahead of the final stage of the figure skating team event at the Beijing Olympics on Sunday.
The 15-year-old, who won the European Championships last month in a podium sweep in Russia, scored 90.18 points, 0.27 points off her own world record with tight laps and used the central portion of the rink while playing in front of the jury.
“Today I did everything possible for what was under my control,” Valeeva told reporters. “I am very happy that I brought the team the most points in the short programme.”
The Republic of China has 38 points en route to the final stage, which will see the top five teams skate their free programmes, Reuters reports.
Sunday starts with the men’s free skating, which will not feature Japanese singles champion Yuzuru Hanyu, who has yet to be spotted in China.
Yuma Kageyama will represent Japan.
The United States, which was in the lead after the first three short programs, fell to second place with 36 points after Karen Chen finished fifth.
“Now I know how the nerves of the competition are going, now I know how Olympic ice feels the nerves of the competition. I can better prepare for my next event,” Chen said.
Canada, the defending champion, who had no expectations of getting a real medal, is fourth with 24 points, five points behind third-placed Japan.
China is the last team to qualify, in the tiebreak ahead of Georgia after Zhou Yi suffered a meltdown and finished last.
“I felt a lot of pressure because I know everyone in China was very surprised by the selection of women’s singles and I really wanted to show them what I was capable of but unfortunately I didn’t,” said an old wiping in tears.
The skaters in first place earned 10 points, nine second place points, to one point in last place.