Japan’s Suzuki leads after women’s short program at Four Continents; Dobbs of US in 2nd

Japan’s Suzuki leads women at Four Continents

JEONJU, South Korea — Akiko Suzuki of Japan leads after the women’s short program at the Four Continents figure skating event.

Suzuki’s spectacular footwork gave her the edge Wednesday over Amanda Dobbs of the United States, who was a surprise in second place in Jeonju, South Korea.

Japan national champion Mao Asada was third. She landed her trademark triple axel but it was under-rotated, and then flubbed a triple flip.

The women’s final takes place Friday.

Earlier, Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao of China seized the lead in the pairs. The world silver medalists led Americans Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker going into the free skate, with Canadians Meagan Duhamel and Craig Buntin in third.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

JEONJU, South Korea (AP) — Akiko Suzuki of Japan leads after the women’s short program at the Four Continents figure skating event.

Suzuki’s spectacular footwork gave her the edge Wednesday over Amanda Dobbs of the United States, who was a surprise in second place in Jeonju, South Korea.

Japan national champion Mao Asada was third. She nailed a trademark triple axel in her opening sequence but flubbed the triple flip.

The women’s final takes place Friday.

Earlier, Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao of China seized the lead in the pairs. The world silver medalists led Americans Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker going into the free skate, with Canadians Meagan Duhamel and Craig Buntin in third.