Associated Press
SALT LAKE CITY – Alexei Yagudin brushed off Russian rival Evgeny Plushenko as easily as he brushed off the snow during his short program. If the playful Yagudin has another such performance in him, he’ll skate away with an Olympic gold medal.
Of course, Japan’s Takeshi Honda and American Tim Goebel might have other ideas for the long program after finishing behind Yagudin, who swept the judging panel. Plushenko was fortunate to wind up fourth Tuesday night after messing up his quadruple toe loop.
For now, the three-time world champion clearly is in charge, and the current world champion needs help.
“I am really happy with the work I have done today,” Yagudin said, “and I am really concentrating on myself. If you have any questions about him, just ask him.”
Couldn’t do that: Plushenko was a no-show in the interview area after falling on his opening quadruple toe loop.
But with other contenders such as Americans Michael Weiss (eighth) and Todd Eldredge (ninth), Canada’s Elvis Stojko (seventh) and Russia’s Alexander Abt (fifth) not impressing the judges, Plushenko stayed within striking distance.
He needs to win the free skate and have someone other than Yagudin finish second. Plushenko will go third in the final warm-up, while Yagudin goes last.
“I think I have made the hardest part … but it will be pressure, because I will be closing the men’s event,” said Yagudin, who was fifth at the 1998 Olympics, skating with a high fever.
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