Photographs: Clive Mason/Getty Images
A rousing performance by world pairs champions Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov put hosts Russia in pole position to win the first ever figure skating team event gold medal at the Winter Olympics on Thursday.
With the event making its Olympic debut at the Sochi Games, Volosozhar and Trankov were foot perfect with their interpretation of Aram Khatchaturian's Masquerade Waltz.
Figure skating: Russians in pole position for team glory
Image: Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov of RussiaPhotographs: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
The Russian pair blew away nearest rivals Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford of Canada by more than 10 points with a score of 83.79.
With compatriot Yevgeny Plushenko pulling off a clean skate to finish second in the men's event earlier on Thursday, the host nation led the team standings with 19 points.
Figure skating: Russians in pole position for team glory
Image: Maxim Trankov and Tatiana VolosozharPhotographs: Clive Mason/Getty Images
Volosozhar and Trankov moved in perfect synchronisation as they soared through their triple toeloops, whirled around in their spins and stuck the landing in a throw triple loop.
As Trankov majestically ended the programme on his knees, the crowd leapt to their feet to holler their approval.
Figure skating: Russians in pole position for team glory
Image: Maxim Trankov and Tatiana Volosozhar of Russia wait for their score after competing in Figure SkatingPhotographs: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
At the halfway point of the team short programmes, Russia, Canada, China and Japan occupy the top four spots in the standings while the United States are in danger of missing the cut for the free skate as they trail in seventh with 10 points.
The team event features 10 nations and each country has one representative competing in men's singles, women's singles, pairs and ice dancing. They each perform a short programme, after which the top five nations battle it out for the medals by competing in the free skates.
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