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Kwan and Eldredge lead after short program
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Michelle Kwan and Todd Eldredge, both unveiling new short-program routines, used near-perfect performances Saturday night to take the lead in the Keri Lotion Figure Skating Classic.Kwan, the world champion and 1998 Olympic silver medalist, received 5.9 presentation marks from all seven judges for her program set to the Fate of Carmen.
"I'm looking already toward 2002," Kwan said of the Salt Lake Olympics. "Four years seems a long ways away, but time is important and you have to make sure that you don't waste any. You can't wait until the last minute and think you're going improve that much."
Angela Nikodinov was second, followed by Maria Butyrskaya of Russia, Nicole Bobek, and France's Surya Bonaly. Elizabeth Manley of Ottawa was sixth.
The short program is worth 33.3 per cent of the total score. The two-day competition concludes tonight with the free skate.
Eldredge's program featured music from Cabaret.
"Most of my routines have been more serious and tomorrow's will be that way," Eldredge said. "Doing the program, it was tough because I was remembering all the steps. When I wasn't doing that, the music called for having a good time out there."
Michael Weiss, seventh in the 1998 Olympics, was second, followed by Ukraine's Viktor Petrenko, and Olympic champion Ilia Kulik of Russia.
Keri Lotion Figure Skating Classic
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Results Saturday after the short program of the Keri Lotion Figure Skating Classic:Men
1. Todd Eldredge, U.S., .5; 2. Michael Weiss, U.S., 1.0; 3. Viktor Petrenko, Ukraine 1.5; 4. Ilia Kulik, Russia, 2.0; 5. Tim Goebel, U.S., 2.5; 6. Rudy Galindo, U.S., 3.0.
Women
1. Michelle Kwan, U.S., .5; 2. Angela Nikodinov, U.S., 1.0; 3. Maria Butyrskaya, Russia, 1.5; 4. Nicole Bobek, U.S., 2.0; 5. Surya Bonaly, France, 2.5; 6. Elizabeth Manley, Ottawa, 3.0.