Kim Targets Five-in-Row
By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
Kim Yu-na is braced to record her fifth straight Grand Prix victory this weekend.
The 18-year-old figure skater arrived in Beijing, China, Monday to compete at the Cup of China, the third Grand Prix contest in the International Skating Union (ISU) six-event series.
``I feel comfortable because I won here last year,'' said Kim, a two-time defending Grand Prix final champion.
``But I must not underrate rivals, who are competitive.''
In this event, Kim will meet Mike Ando of Japan and Sarah Meier of Switzerland.
Ando, a former world champion, finished third at Skate America in Everett, Wash., two weeks ago and Meier is eyeing a podium finish in her first Grand Prix appearance of the season to secure a berth at the final.
The top six skaters in the series will advance to the final, which will take place in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, on Dec. 10 to 14.
Kim, who recorded an easy win with a margin of 20.92 over Japan's Yukari Nakano in Everett, has set her eyes on continuing her winning streak.
``I tried to make up for misplays I committed in the previous competition. I want to make sure I have evolved from it,'' she said.
In her first Grand Prix, she delivered a strong routine, and her only glitch was a popped loop jump.
Along with her victory, skating fans expect the South Korean to surpass 200 points overall, a feat no skater has reached so far.
Although Kim holds two records for the highest points in the short program and the free skating events with 71.95 and 133.70 respectively, her rival Mao Asada of Japan holds the title for the highest combined score of 199.25, set in 2006, compared to Kim's 197.20, which she earned in Russia last year.
Kim will skate in the short program at 8:45 p.m. Thursday and in the free skating at 5 p.m. Saturday.
She will also perform in the gala skating exhibition at 3:30 p.m. Sunday.