Irina Slutskaya skates to comeback victory in Cup of China

Former world champion Irina Slutskaya of Russia staged a perfect comeback to figure skating as she won the women's title Saturday at Cup of China, the fourth leg of ISU Grand Prix.

Tanith Belbin/Benjamin Agosto of the United States held on their lead to lift the ice dancing trophy, while Canadia's Jeffrey Buttle triumphed in men's event.

Slutskaya, who was sidelined for the whole 2003-2004 season due to vasculitis, didn't show any signs of rust on the ice and skated elegantly and with style to the soundtrack of "Wonder, Whisper from the Mirror".

The 2002 world championship winner, who completed a triple salchow-double loop-double loop combination, earned 57.40 points for technical elements and 57.44 for program components to make a total 177.80 points, which far outdistanced compatriot runner-up Viktoria Volchkova on 154.16. Canada's Joannie Rochette finished third with 152.12 points.

Japanese reigning world junior champion Miki Ando, the first lady skater who has landed a quadruple jump in competition, failed to deliver the movement Saturday night and had to settle for the fourth place.

"Today ... it was good, but not great," said Slutskaya. "I still have a couple of things that I can do much better."

"I fight with my illness. I'm happy with competing again," added the 25-year-old Russian.

When asked about her expectations for the Turin Winter Olympics in 2006, Slutskaya said it was too "early" to talk about the Olympics.

"Still one and a half year to go before that," she said.

Rochette, winner of the Four-Continents Championships in 2004, presented a nicely choreographed routine to the "Nagoygatsi" soundtrack that highlighted the commanding artistry he has on ice. His jumps were strong, including a triple axel, triple toeloop combination, which earned him 61.00 points for technical elements and 74.20 for program components. The 22-year-old's winning total was 211.20 points.

Local favorite Li Chengjiang, the first Chinese men skater to win an ISU championship (Four Continents 2001), was edged into the second place with 197.15 points. Stefan Lindemann of Germany placed third with 188.80 points.

Li's opening quadruple toeloop, triple toeloop combination was a little rough on the landing but he made up for it by easily nailing a triple axel, triple toeloop combination and a triple-salchow, double loop combination.

"I tried my best, but it's a pity that I made a couple of errors today," said Li, who looked apparently upset at the result.

Despite a weird slip of Agosto on the ice between lifts, Belbin and Agosto, the first American duo to win a Grand Prix title last year, won the ice dancing competition with a flamboyant free dance to "Shadritsa Gypsy Dance" that earned them 105.28 points (42.80 element score/63.48 program component score) for an overall mark of 210.28.

"Luckily, it's right between elements," said Agosto after the competition, referring to his fall.

Israel's Galit Chait/Sergei Sakhnovski, coached by former Olympic champion Evgeni Platov, took the silver medal with 204.42, a personal best score. Marie-France Dubreuil/Patrice Lauzon of Canada came third on 199.44 points.

China's three pairs in ice dancing disappointed their home fans as they ranked the last three places, with Yang Fang/Gao Chongbo staying highest ninth.

The Cup of China, which started on Thursday, concludes Sunday after medal winners of each discipline put on a show for the audience.

Results from Cup of China figure skating Grand Prix

Ladies:

1. Irina Slutskaya, Russia, 177.80 points

2. Viktoria Volchkova, Russia, 154.16

3. Joannie Rochette, Canada, 152.12

4. Miki Ando, Japan, 150.32

5. Elina Kettunen, Finland, 138.40

6. Jenna McCorkell, Britain, 131.08

7. Mira Leung, Canada, 128.90

8. Angela Nikodinov, United States, 124.50

Ice dancing:

1. Tanith Belbin/Benjamin Agosto, United States, 210.28

2. Galit Chait/Sergei Sakhnovski, Israel, 204.42

3. Marie-France Dubreuil/Patrice Lauzon, Canada, 199.44

4. Oksana Domnina/Maxim Shabalin, Russia, 179.70

5. Kristin Fraser/Igor Lukanin, Azerbaijan, 160.72

6. Nora Hoffmann/Attila Elek, Hungary, 149.86

7. Nathalie Pechalat/Fabien Bourzat, France, 146.39

8. Anastasia Grebenkina/Vazgen Azrojan, Armenia, 139.17

Men:

1. Jeffrey Buttle, Canada, 211.20

2. Li Chengjiang, China, 197.15

3. Stefan Lindemann, Germany, 188.80

4. Zhang Min, China, 187.30

5. Song Lun, China, 179.64

6. Scott Smith, United States, 168.25

7. Ivan Dinev, Bulgaria, 159.59

8. Matthew Savoie, United States, 150.20