WASHINGTON, March 28 (UPI) -- Michelle Kwan turned in a typically sensational performance Friday that put her in front after the ladies short program at the World Figure Skating Championships.
Kwan landed a double Axel-triple Lutz-double toe combination and a triple flip during her "The Feeling Begins" routine.
When she finished, Kwan was given a standing ovation by the crowd at the MCI Center, which chanted, "Six, Six."
One judge gave Kwan a 6.0 for presentation for her fourth perfect score at the World Championships and her first at this event since 1998.
"I really felt confident. It felt great out there," Kwan said. "I think the audience convinced that last judge to give the 6.0."
Second place belonged to Elena Sokolova of Russia, who is making her first trip to the World Championships since 1998, when she came in eighth.
Sokolova had to skate after Kwan and responded well to the pressure, easily completing her required elements.
"I think this was not just my best skate of the season, but the best of my life," Sokolova, who appeared at a news conference alongside. She then turned to Kwan and said:
"It is difficult to skate after you, Michelle, because the crowd was still screaming for you."
Fumie Suguri of Japan came in third. Suguri won the bronze at the last World Championships and was the 2001 and 2003 Four Continents champion.
"I made a little mistake but I think it was an OK performance," she said. "For me, last year's bronze medal feels like a long, long time ago. This year, a lot of things happened."
American Sasha Cohen and Viktoria Volchkova of Russia tied for fourth. Cohen completed a triple Lutz-double toe combination, but fell on her triple flip.
"I'm very disappointed in my skating because I wanted to win the short," Cohen said. "I've done clean shorts all season and haven't missed this jump in two years. I was nervous about the Lutz, but not the flip and was shocked when I fell."
Reigning Olympic champion Sarah Hughes placed ninth. She has participated in just one major competition this season because of a torn muscle behind the right knee.
"I'm pleased with my skate," Hughes said. "It's been an extremely difficult, long year after winning the Olympics. I'm just glad that I could be here."
The short program counts for 30 percent of the total score. The competition will conclude with Saturday's free skate.
