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Too close for comfort

February 19, 2014

Kim Yuna leads after short program with season high score of 74.92

But, less than a point over Russian Sotnikova (74.64) and Italian Kostner (74.12)

American Gold 4th (68.63), Lipnitskaia 5th (65.23), Asada 16th (55.51)

Kim Yuna of South Korea reacts after completing her routine in the women's short program figure skating competition at the Iceberg Skating Palace during the 2014 Winter Olympics, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Kim Yuna reacts after completing her routine in the women’s short program figure skating competition at the Iceberg Skating Palace during the 2014 Winter Olympics, Wednesday, Feb. 19, in Sochi, Russia. (AP)

South Korean figure skater Kim Yuna took the lead after a dazzling short program in the ladies’ singles competition at the Sochi Winter Games on Wednesday.

The reigning Olympic champion scored 74.92 points to shoot to the top of the standings at Iceberg Skating Palace. It’s the highest short program score by any female skater this season.

Still, she has almost no breathing room as ”the other Russian,” Adelina Sotnikova and 2012 world champion Carolina Kostner are mere decimal points behind heading into Thursday’s free skate.

The Russian youngster Julia Lipnitskaia, considered to be Kim’s biggest threat, settled for fifth (65.23) after falling, and Mao Asada, the silver medalist in Vancouver, also fell to drop all the way down to 16th (55.51).

The Americans Gracie Gold (fourth), Ashley Wagner (sixth) and Polina Edmunds (seventh) did enough to stay in contention.

 

 

 

One Comment

  1. sunnysidetong

    February 19, 2014 at 1:49 PM

    Somebody says we want some Yuna Kim! The greatest of all time…Super gold performance.

    Reply