Monday, Nov. 16, 2009

Compiled from AP, Kyodo

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. — Kim Yu Na set a world record for a short program at Skate America, breaking her own mark with 76.28 points on Saturday.

Armed and dangerous: Kim Yu Na performs her short program at Skate America in Lake Placid, N.Y. on Saturday. Kim's 76.28 score set a new world record. KYODO PHOTO

World champion Kim capped the mesmerizing performance to a James Bond medley with a marksman's pose that would make Sean Connery or Daniel Craig proud.

"I'm trying to do a clean program every time," she said after blowing away the field, grabbing a 17.48-point lead over American Rachael Flatt. "It's not about the score. I don't want to think about the score."

Kim even admitted breaking the world mark was a surprise — to her, if not to the adoring fans who began buzzing when she came out for warmups, erupted in cheers when she finished.

There were banners proclaiming "Queen Kim" and even ones portraying the 19-year-old sensation as a Simpsons character and as the Pink Panther. On this night, she did everything but carve 007 into the ice.

Flatt had a rare fall in her program, but still beat Julia Sebestyen of Hungary by 0.26 points. Flatt, who was fifth at worlds in Los Angeles in March, was asked about the intimidation factor in facing Kim.

"She's pretty incredible," Flatt said. "For me, she's incredibly inspiring and someone I look up to. I'm just inspired when we get on the ice and I think: 'Cool, Yu Na is out here.' "

Fumie Suguri was fourth after the short program.

"I wanted to get 60 points," said former world silver medalist Suguri. "Hopefully I will be able to put in a good performance in the free skate."

Earlier, men's world champion Evan Lysacek won his first Skate America title with a powerful free skate.

Lysacek wasn't nearly as brilliant as in his short program the previous night, but he didn't need to be in besting Canada's Shawn Sawyer for the crown. Lysacek hit seven triple jumps and finished with some fancy footwork and an impressive combination spin that got the crowd onto its feet.

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