Former world champion Irina Slutskaya of Russia staged a perfect
comeback to figure skating when she lifted the women's title at the
Cup of China.
Slutskaya, who was sidelined with illness for the entire
2003-2004 season, achieved an elegant and stylish victory to the
soundtrack of "Wonder, Whisper from the Mirror".
The 25-year-old silver medallist at the Salt Lake City Olympics
in 2002 and world champion that year, completed a triple
salchow-double loop-double loop combination to earn a total of
177.80 points.
Fellow Russian Viktoria Volchkova was second with 154.16 points,
while Canada's Joannie Rochette finished third.
(CRI November 14, 2004)