Plushenko Is a Quick Hit During Practice

TURIN, Italy, Feb. 12 -- Russia's Evgeni Plushenko, a model of efficiency, reinforced his status as the favorite in men's figure skating.

The three-time world champion and silver medalist in Salt Lake City both amazed and disappointed a crowd that had paid to see the men's practice Sunday. Plushenko's sharp, circular steps elicited spontaneous applause, a somewhat unusual response for footwork, but he cut short his workout by 15 minutes.

Plushenko's coach, Alexei Mishin, said the abbreviated practice was no reason for concern despite the Russian's recent health problems. Last year, Plushenko dropped out of the world championships with a groin injury that later required surgery, and he nearly skipped the European championships in January because of the flu.

"We use this system of practice very often," Mishin said. "It is nothing new."

To the strains of "Tosca," his short-program choice, the 23-year-old completed just three of the required elements, including a quadruple-triple jump combination. His steps were full of several revolutions on one foot and fast changes while skating backward.

He also did his straight-line footwork.

Then, with 15 minutes left, Plushenko bowed and left the ice, disappointing much of the crowd that had filled three-quarters of the stadium. Separate tickets are sold for training.

The men's short program begins Tuesday, with Plushenko in the second spot among 30 competitors. In the past, that would be an undesirable position, but under the points judging system being used at the Olympics for the first time, it barely matters. Skaters now earn points rather than placements from the judges, so marks aren't "saved" for later competitors.

Plushenko's main challenger, world champion Stephane Lambiel, will skate 11th. Three-time U.S. champion Johnny Weir goes 13th; Americans Matt Savoie and Evan Lysacek drew Nos. 22 and 26, respectively.

U.S. Speedskaters Chosen

Olympic gold medalist Chad Hedrick was among five chosen for the U.S. men's team pursuit in speedskating, along with KC Boutiette, Derek Parra, Clay Mull and Ryan Leveille.

If the United States advances to the final, Hedrick, Boutiette and Parra likely will skate. Mull and Leveille likely will skate in the preliminary rounds of the new Olympic event that features three skaters for each team in head-to-head competition.

Jennifer Rodriguez, Amy Sannes, Catherine Raney, Maria Lamb and Margaret Crowley will skate on the women's team. . . .