Belbin, Agosto Take Large Step Toward Record 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 three 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 offseason 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.

In the women's singles competition, Mirai Nagasu's mouth dropped open when she saw her scores. And that was before she realized she'd knocked off former world champion Kimmie Meissner.

"Wait, it's 12 points?" Nagasu said, her eyes widening when she heard how big a lead she had on Meissner. "Wow. That's exciting."

Get used to it, kid. If the 14-year-old keeps skating like this, there's going to be lots more excitement to come.

Nagasu pulled off one of the biggest upsets ever at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships on Thursday night. In her first senior nationals - heck, her first competition as a senior - the teenager won the short program with a spectacular performance that showed amazing flexibility, strong jumps and a presence on the ice well beyond her years.

Her score of 70.23 would stack up against anyone in the world. She has a 12.65 lead on Meissner, and it will be almost impossible for the defending national champion to beat her in Saturday's free skate.

About the only one with a real shot at catching Nagasu is Ashley Wagner, second with 65.15 points. Rachael Flatt was third with 62.91 points.