Belbin, Agosto move toward title
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Aw, shucks!
Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto took a big step toward a record-tying fifth title at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships on Thursday night, winning the original dance. But Agosto was annoyed when he came off the ice, unhappy with himself for an obvious footwork error at the end of the program.
"What was really frustrating was, aside from that, it was a great performance," he said. "You hate to end it on that note."
Belbin and Agosto still earned the highest score for the original dance, 64.29. With a total score of 106.15, they're almost 3 points ahead of training partners Meryl Davis and Charlie White going into the free dance Saturday. Kimberly Navarro and Brent Bommentre were a distant third with a total score of 94.09.
But really, was there any chance of anyone but Belbin and Agosto winning this week?
The Olympic silver medalists have won four straight U.S. titles and are all but assured of making it five Saturday. That would tie the U.S. record held by four other couples.
Belbin and Agosto don't take their status as favorites lightly. They spent their off-season polishing their skating skills, working on many of the same things tots learning ice dancing do, and revamped their original dance to make it world-class.
It sure worked. Skating to a series of country music selections, with him in jeans and a black cowboy hat and her in a red, fringed dress, they showed how a hoe-down should really be done. They had several little touches that delighted the crowd, including her stealing his hat and putting it on her own head for a few seconds before he grabbed it back.
They also showed off their superior skating skills. On their straight-line footwork, they covered half of the ice surface on one foot, picking up speed by changing their edges and the direction of rotation.
"It was really good," Belbin said. "Probably the strongest we've done."
Except for that one mistake. Near the end of that footwork sequence, which came at the end of their program, Agosto lost control on a twizzle -- a multi-revolution turn at high speed -- and had to put his other foot down to keep his balance.
"Obviously it's something I can do," he said. "And should do."
But it didn't do any major damage. Davis and White are the closest thing to competition Belbin and Agosto have in the United States, but they're not yet at the champions' level.
Their program to Russian folk music was a delight, with the two of them looking as if they were having more fun with it than the crowd. He had a big grin on his face as he turned, kicking his leg high in the air with his arms crossed. They had good speed, and were one of the few couples who actually looked as if they know what those blades are supposed to be used for.
"Lots of energy," White said. "We tried to get the crowd into it and it seemed like we succeeded."
They appeared to get deductions for not holding their straight-line lift long enough, and White had to throw in an extra rotation on a footwork sequence, causing the two to get out of unison.
"All the elements (can be) just that much stronger," Davis said. "By the end of the season, you'll definitely see improvement on all the elements, the connections, everything will be much more pleasing."
Later Thursday, teenage phenoms Caroline Zhang, Mirai Nagasu and Ashley Wagner were to make their debut on the big stage in the women's short program.