Oda Steps Up

Diminutive Nobunari Oda stood tall last night at Hartford’s Civic Center, notching some 81.80 points – the second-highest total ever – to take a commanding eight-point lead after Skate America’s men’s short program competition.

Performing the light-hearted "Fly Me to the Moon," Oda handled David Wilson’s sophisticated choreography with a deft touch. Opening with a strong triple Axel, followed by a lovely triple Lutz-triple toe combination, the Japanese silver medalist maintained good energy throughout musical step sequences and compact, well-centered spins. His only noticeable flaw came when he pitched slightly forward on the landing of his triple flip.

"I love my music and I feel very comfortable with this program. I never thought I would do my personal best here so early in the season," said the 19 year-old Osaka native, who placed fourth at the 2006 Worlds. He splits his training time between Japan and Barrie, Ontario.

Prior to taking the ice, there was minor rumpus when clouds of smoke, said to emanate from one or more of the Russian skaters, flooded the men’s locker room.

"It smelled like cigarette smoke, I can’t tell you what it was, and I don’t know where it came from. I just walked in and I said, ‘I need a new locker room,’" said Evan Lysacek.

Organizers acted quickly; another room was made available, the locker area aired out and the offenders admonished.

When the smoke cleared, the rest of the men’s performances were a mixed bag. Alban Preaubert, the 21 year-old French bronze medalist who placed a surprising eighth at the 2006 Worlds, emerged on top.

Skating to "Buzzy Bee" (‘Flight of the Bumblebee") with choreography by Nikolai Morozov, Preaubert opened with three solid jumping passes – a triple Axel; triple flip-triple toe combination; and triple Lutz – and skated the rest of his program with humor and aplomb. He earned 73.80 points (41.40 TES + 32.40 PCS), a new personal best, and enters the free skate in second place.

"It was a very good program for me. I wanted to do something different, something that would bring out my skills," said Preaubert.

"This is the first time I have been in medal (contention) at a big event. I was last in the short program here last year, so it is a big improvement for me."

Performing to the familiar Peter Gabriel music from the soundtrack of "The Last Temptation of Christ," two-time World bronze medalist Lysacek had a disappointing outing, almost sitting down on the landing of his triple Axel and turning out of the landing of his triple Lutz-triple toe loop. The 21 year-old American showed twisting, full-body movements in both of his step sequences, but seemed uncomfortable with the program, which was choreographed this summer with Kurt Browning.

Lysacek earned 70.35 points (35.90 TES + 34.45 PCS) and will enter the free program more than 10 points behind Oda.

"It’s a very modern program. The idea was to take movements from yoga and other angular positions to create challenging side-to-side and high-low movements. It’s a difficult challenge for someone like me who is 6"1’," said Lysacek.

"I’ve really only been training the program full-out for two-and-a-half weeks. It will get more comfortable as the season goes on."

"Evan has been skating that program much better in practice. I think missing the triple Axel was a bit of a shock to him. He got stiff legs on the straight-line steps, which happens with new programs.

"It wasn’t the debut he was hoping for but he’s been skating the program well and it will get more comfortable," said Browning.

American Ryan Bradley had a clean if slow performance to "Happy Birthday Polka," opening with a big triple Axel followed by a solid triple flip- triple toe loop combination and triple Lutz. As always, Bradley's extroverted personality shown through, but the humor in the program was forced. The 22 year-old American earned 64.44 points (34.64 TES + 29.80 PCS) to take fourth place.

Skating to Albinoni’s heavy-handed "Adagio," Belgian Kevin van der Perren hit strong jumps and decent spins, but needed more speed and attack on his step sequences. His 63.43 points put him in fifth place.

Belarusian Sergei Davydov, who placed 12^th at the 2006 Worlds, put a hand down on his opening triple Axel, then hit a fine triple Lutz, triple toe loop combination and a rather shaky triple flip. Both his music choice, Evgenia Monolides’ "Hymn to the moon" and choreography could be charitably described as dull, although he hit attractive positions in his spins. He was sixth with 60.91 points.

Canadian Christopher Mabee, who placed fourth at the 2006 Canadian Nationals, opened with a solid triple Axel but flubbed his triple-triple combination in his "Blues Deluxe" program.

"I have to hit the triple, triple. It not only helps my technical score, it helps my skating skills score. I’ve been struggling with the triple Lutz in practice," said Mabee, who is in seventh place with 58.35 points.

The only man to try a quad jump, Scott Smith, landed in eighth place with 58.25 points when he fell on his quad Salchow attempt and failed to land a combination. Russia’s Sergei Voronov hit fine jumps, but his program, set to Rachmaninov’s "Piano Concerto No. 2," looked old-fashioned and his spins and footwork unremarkable. He earned 56.40 points and is in ninth place.

Skating to the over-used "Blues for Clock," Karel Zelenka of Italy reduced his opening triple Axel to a double, then two-footed the second landing on his triple flip, triple toe loop combination. He did execute a fine triple Lutz. He sits tenth with 53.31 points.

Nicholas Young of Canada performed an avant-garde program to "Man with a Harmonica," but left his jumps at home. He placed 11th with 49.72 points.

Japan’s Yasuhara Nanri was 12^th with 49.20 points.