Nagasu comes out of disappointment to lead ladies in China Grand Prix figure skating

American Mirai Nagasu earned a flying start in her opening show this season, leading the ladies after short program at the Cup of China figure skating Grand Prix here on Saturday.

Coming out of a disappointing season in 2008-2009, the 16-year-old sensation posted a fair score of 62.20 points for her light-footed jumps and stable spins performing to Pirates of the Caribbean, Fragile Dreams.

She edged the 2007 European bronze medalist Kiira Korpi of Finland, 21, to the temporary second place with one point deficit, while twice former champion and last season's runner-up of Europe, Italian Carolina Kostner was third on 61.12 after short program.

World silver medalist Joannie Rochette of Canada finished a disappointing seventh with 52.12 after floopy skating on Saturday, and Chinese trio Liu Yan, Geng Bingwa and Xu Binshu were respectively the eighth, 10th and 12th at the 12-woman competition.

Nagasu, two-time world junior championship medalist, became the United States' youngest lady champion since Tara Lipinski in 1997 last year and was the first lady in up to 70 years to win both the junior and senior national titles in consecutive years.

She had injured her ankle and had a significant growth spurt last season when she moved up to the senior level internationally.

"I'm happy to come out of a disappointing season, and hopefully I could just forget about it and show up here," said the 164cm girl, born in California of the U.S..

"I think my coach is genius, who give my a lot of support, though some times he's just scared," she added. "And I'll just focus on my performing."

Talking about her going international, Nagasu said: "That's because I really want to make the national team. Last season I just sit home at LA watching the world championships, and it's not feeling good."

"This year I just gonna practice more and get what I can," she said.

Kostner performed some routine content and got a little bit disappointed with the result.

"Beginning the season, I just hoped to do a little better. I'm not very satisfied with my skating today, but it made me very happy since I like skating too much," said the Italian.

About the routine she'd chosen, Kostner said: "I don't think any Triple (Lutz or Flip) is very easy, but I want to skate more smooth."

The yearly Cup of China ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating was slated for October 30 to November 1. Skaters will compete for a global prize money of 180, 000 U.S. dollars per individual event and receive points according to their placements.

Top six skaters/couples of the series will proceed to the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Tokyo, Japan.

Source: Xinhua