CHONGQING, China (AP) — Two-time world champion Shoma Uno of Japan showed no signs of rust on his return to competitive figure skating on Friday, dominating the men’s short program at the Cup of China.
In his first Grand Prix of Figure Skating event this year, Uno landed a quad flip, a quadruple toe-loop, triple toe-loop combination and a triple axel for a total of 105.25 points, 14 points ahead of Adam Siao Him Fa of France.
“I did a good job with the jumps today and the whole package. The speed was not as good,” said Uno, who skated to “I Love You Kung Fu” and “Clair de Lune.”
In the ice dance, Marjorie Lajoie of Boucherville, Que., and Zachary Lagha of Longueuil, Que., took a surprise lead in rhythm dance with 82.02 points, edging compatriots Piper Gilles of Toronto and Paul Poirer of Unionville, Ont., by one point.
Caroline Green and Michael Parsons of the United States were third with 76.07.
In the pairs, Skate Canada champions Deanna Stellato-Dudek of Brossard, Que., and Maxime Deschamps of Vaudreuil-Dorion, Que., topped the short program with 70.39 points.
Rebecca Ghilardi and Filippo Ambrosini of Italy were second with 66.33 followed by China’s Cheng Peng and Lei Wang with 62.91.
Uno, who is coached by former skater Stephane Lambiel, has not performed in an official event since capturing his second world title in March in Japan. He is debuting two new programs here.
“As for the presentation, I don’t think I did such a good job,” Uno said. “At this competition, I don’t think about the result or the points, I just want to show my program.”
Siao Him Fa, last week’s winner at his home Grand Prix of France, opened with a quad lutz but fell on his final jump — a quad toe-loop — and received 91.21 points. Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan was third with 89.94 points.
The Cup of China is the fourth of six events in the Grand Prix Series, where skaters compete and collect points to qualify for the Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Beijing from December 7-10.
Two-time world bronze medalist Boyang Jin, who was eighth in France, gave the home fans a thrill when he finished fourth with 87.44 points.
Jimmy Ma of the United States fell on his triple axel and was seventh with 77.29 points.
World bronze medalist Loena Hendrickx of Belgium was first after the women’s short program.
Hendrickx singled a double axel but landed a triple flip and a triple lutz, triple toe combination for a total of 70.65 points.
“I was a little early in time,” Hendrickx said of the axel. “I was standing a bit longer before my axel and the concentration was gone, but I just have to jump anyway.”
Japan’s Rinka Watanabe was second with 65.09 followed by compatriot Hana Yoshida with 64.65.
Watanabe produced a double axel, a triple lutz along with difficult spins and steps.
The competition wraps up on Saturday with the men’s, women’s and pairs' free skates and the free dance.
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The Associated Press
