Kwan Takes Early Lead

American Michelle Kwan took first place in the women’s short program at the Nations Cup figure skating competition.

Maria Butirskaia of Russia was second, followed by Germany’s Tanja Szewczenko.

Marina Eltsova and Andrei Bushkov of Russia were first in the pairs final standings, with Germans Mandy Woetzel and Ingo Steuer in second. Elena Beretsnaia and Oleg Shliahov of Latvia took third.