Comeback sensations Shen and Zhao romp in short program at Skate America

Chinese veterans win pairs short program

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. — Zhao Hongbo gave his wife, who happens to be his skating partner, a memorable 31st birthday present Friday night at Skate America.

Zhao and Shen Xue performed their best short program, quite an achievement for two-time Olympic bronze medalists (2002 and ‘06) who are back for one more shot at the games — and, he says, “the gold medal.” They earned 74.36 points more than two points better than when they won Cup of China two weeks ago to begin their comeback after two years on the sidelines.

“The Olympics,” Shen said of why they returned to the sport.

“We dream,” the 36-year-old Zhao added, and he meant golden dreams.

Their performance featured a huge twist lift, synchronized side-by-side triple toe loops, a high lift punctuated by an intricate dismount, and a death spiral in which she holds onto her left blade while being twisted around.

They even wowed American champions Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker, who were fourth after botching their side-by-side jumps.

“It’s an honor to be on the ice with them,” Brubaker said, admitting he has some of Shen and Zhao’s programs on his IPod to watch. “You know when you see something great out on the ice.”

Shen and Zhao have been great very quickly in their return. They retired after winning their third world title in 2007 and came back to training in May.

“Today, I’m so happy we could do that,” he said. “It was a good short program.”

Ukraine’s Tatiana Volosozahar and Stanislav Morozov were second, 12.66 points behind. Canada’s Meagan Duhamel and Craig Buntin were third. Current world silver medalists Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao of China, who finished second at the Turin Olympics, were a disappointing fifth after some sloppy spins and footwork.

Earlier, Olympic and world silver medalists Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto of the United States led ice dance after the compulsories.

The Americans, silver medalists at the world championships and 2006 Turin Olympics, scored 39.28 points for the golden waltz. They were well ahead of Russia’s Jana Khokhlova and Sergei Novitski at 36.94. The original dance is Saturday and the free dance Sunday.

The compulsory dance is usually something of a snoozer, but Belbin and Agosto made the audience — and judges — take notice because, well, they just looked so darn good.

Belbin couldn’t have been happier with her outfit, called Tiffany Ribbon and provided by Designs to Shine, a ballroom costume company that supplies dresses for “Dancing with the Stars.” She changed costumes after the couple won Cup of China two weeks ago.

“This is a beautiful and regal dance and I wanted to have something special,” Belbin said.

The turquoise dress, as ice dance costumes usually go, was noticeable for all the right reasons. She also sported faux diamond earrings given to her by a South Korean fan.

“There are some very friendly fans,” she said with a laugh.

As for participating in “Dancing with the Stars,” that isn’t in the plans. There’s a little something called the Vancouver Olympics on the horizon.

Belbin and Agosto are on pace to qualify for next month’s Grand Prix Final in Tokyo. Another U.S. team, Meryl Davis and Charlie White, already is in the final, underlining the strength the Americans at last have in the discipline.

“It makes it more exciting for nationals, for the audience,” Agosto said. “And more for us. You never want to go to a competition and feel you don’t have to do anything to win. We know we have to go and do our work and do things well.”

Khokhlova and Novitski scored a season best with their performance.

“That was a very good beginning,” he said.

Later Friday was the men’s short program.