Cup of China - Day 1

Ice Dance

It was the French couple, Nathalie Pechalat & Fabian Bourzat who took the lead after their waltz short dance to music from Amelie. They sit comfortably almost 7 points ahead of their Italian rivals, Faiella & Scali. The young russians, Bobrova & Soloviev are not far behind in third.

Ladies

Mirai Nagasu may be in the worst place for her - first! The young american twice last year (cup of china) rocked the short programme and buckled under the pressure in the free skate. She came out with her usual fire and difficulty and a dose more maturity with a new short programme to The Witches of Eastwick. Both Akiko Suzuki and Alena Leonova had some mistakes on the jumps but are not out of medal contention with a good free skate. Pleasant-surprise-of-the-day award goes to Bingwa Geng of China who beat her personal best by almost 5 points to currently sit 4th.

Mens

Takahito Kozuka of Japan took the lead in the men's short programme with consistent jumps and skating quality but it was the newly re-invented Brian Joubert who won the crowd with his programme to Once upon a time in Mexico. Joubert hit his quad-triple combination but had a wobble on his triple axel. Still, he is once again on his way back up. The battle for bronze is also tight with Tomas Verner, Brandon Mroz and Sergei Voronov separated by less than 2 pts.

Pairs

Everyone expected Pang & Tong to lead at home, and they did: but not in their world champion convincing style. They both had trouble on their side by side jumps (he putting hands down and she doubling). Close behind them are their young team mates and world junior champions Sui & Han. The americans Yankowskas & Coughlin surprised many (including themselves) to place third. Last week's Skate Canada champions Iliushechkina & Maisuradze were a bit more messy than last week but are still well placed to earn a medal and a trip back here for the Grand Prix Final.

The free skates take place tomorrow. Full results here