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Jin leads figure skating short program, Harbin ice hockey team on course for 6th title at National Winter Games

Xinhua, January 28, 2016 Adjust font size:

Grand Prix Cup of China runner-up Jin Boyang dominated the men's short program of figure skating competition at the Chinese National Winter Games here on Thursday.

Jin, who represents team Harbin, earned 87.34 points after a smooth performance, while Yan Han, also from team Harbin, trailed in second with 84.48.

Jin, famous for his high-difficulty jumps, completed a quadruple lutz-triple toeloop combination in the short program, one of the most difficult element in the world, though with a little mistake in landing.

"I am the only one who can finish the quadruple lutz in the world now, and it is my advantage," Jin said. "But I didn't execute as well as I did in training. I also have to improve my sequence."

The 18-year-old Jin made his senior international debut in last year's Cup of China and stunned the world by his difficult routines.

"I will try four quadruple jumps in my free skate," said Jin.

According to the rules for the National Winter Games, extra points will be awarded to male skaters who can do quad jumps in a bid to encourage high-level of difficulty.

In the lady's short program, defending champion Li Zijun from Changchun led with 67.51 points.

Earlier Thursday, Wang Shiyue/Zhao Xinyu, representing Changchun, won the ice dance title.

In curling, Harbin men's team remained unbeaten in the 10-team round-robin stage after defeating Shanghai 9-3 and reached the semifinals. Their women's counterparts also advanced to the semifinals with a perfect record of seven wins.

In ice hockey, Qiqihar men's team beat dark horse Chengde 8-1 to set up a final showdown against five-time champions Harbin, who defeated Jiamusi 6-2 to advance.

Nine gold medals are at stake in figure skating, biathlon, curling and ice hockey on Friday.

The 13th National Winter Games will run through Saturday. For the first time since the winter sports gala was introduced in 1959 the games have been held outside the northeastern provinces of Heilongjiang and Jilin, where the frigid climate means winter sports have traditionally enjoyed huge popularity. Endit