Duhamel

By Stew Kernan

Lively’s Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford skated a flawless short program to take a commanding lead in the pairs at the world figure skating championships on the opening day today.

Duhamel and Radford, undefeated in five international competitions this season, scored 76.98 points to take a four-point lead over Chinese veterans Pang Qing and Tong Jian, who came out of retirement to compete on home ice in their 16th world championships.

Although the Canadians won the silver medal in the team event at the Sochi Olympics last year and are two-time bronze medallists at the worlds, they’re not accustomed to coming into a major competition as the heavy favourites.

The women’s and men’s short programs are on Friday, and the pairs and ice dancing events will conclude with the long programs on Saturday.

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