Tuktamysheva makes history at worlds

SHANGHAI - Reuters

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva of Russia performs on ice to win the ladies free skating routine of the ISU European Figure Skating Championships on January 31, 2015 in Stockholm, Sweden. AFP Photo

European title holder Elizaveta Tuktamysheva recorded the third highest ladies short programme score in history Thursday as the 18-year-old took a commanding lead at the World Figure Skating Championships in Shanghai.
      
The Russian dazzled the crowd to the rousing music of Maurice Ravel's "Bolero", opening with a triple axel before dancing impeccably to move easily into first position in the tournament with a score of 77.62.
      
Tuktamysheva was the only contestant in Shanghai to attempt a triple axel in the short programme, and her score puts her behind Japan's Mao Asada (78.66) and South Korean legend Yuna Kim (78.50) in the all-time rankings.
      
Asada, who has taken the season off, recorded her score at last season's world championships.
      
Tuktamysheva punched the air with the delight after her performance, and will go into Friday's free skate final as the clear favourite.
      
In second place was compatriot Elena Radionova with a score of 69.51. Radionova was edged by Tuktamysheva into the runners-up spot at both the European championships and the Grand Prix Final.
      
Japanese national champion Satako Miyahara finished in third place on 67.02.