 Kim Yu-na, right, and her coach Brian Orser react after her score of the women's short program was announced at the World Figure Skating Championships in Turin, Italy, Saturday (KST). Kim finished seventh on 60.30. |
By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
Defending world champion Kim Yu-na struggled in her title defense.
The 19-year-old South Korean scored her third career-worst 60.30 points to finish seventh in the women's short program of the World Figure Skating Championships in Turin, Italy on Saturday morning (KST).
She had 58.32 and 59.85 points in the Grand Prix and World Championships, respectively, in the 2007-08 season.
In addition, it was the first time for the three-time World Grand Prix Final winner not to make the top five in the event.
American Mirai Nagasu led the pack with 70.40 points to beat Olympic silver medalist Mao Asada of Japan by 2.32. Laura Lepisto of Finland was third place on 64.30.
The Olympic champion opened her routine with a solid triple lutz-triple toe loop combination, but she under-rotated her triple flip and missed a layback spin before having her spiral sequence downgraded.
Kim's compatriot Kwak Min-jung scored 47.46 points to finish 23rd and qualify for the free skating.
The 16-year-old, who placed 13th at the Vancouver Winter Olympics last month, failed to land a triple lutz-double toe loop combination.
The free skating is scheduled for Saturday night.
ksw@koreatimes.co.kr
