It couldn't be earlier in the figure skating season, yet Japan's Mao Asada is already miles ahead of most of her competition.

The 2005 Grand Prix series champion opened the 2006 season Friday night in Hartford, Conn., with an exquisite short program at Skate America. 

Japan's Mao Asada performed a brilliant short program Friday to take the lead in the ladies' competition at Skate America.
(Gérard Châtaigneau/FSC-SportIms)

Showing that her stunning upset to win last year's Grand Prix final was no fluke, she mesmerized the audience and the judges with her spins, jumps, footwork and overall mastery.

The 16-year-old Asada, who was too young to compete at the Torino Olympics, received 68.84 points. Only countrywoman Miki Ando, who did go to the Olympics and placed a disappointing 15th, was in close range of Asada at 66.74 — and she needed a personal best to get there.

"I thought I skated perfectly well," Asada said through an interpreter. "I like the program very much; it's the first time I've used this music (Nocturne by Chopin). I was concerned about it, but I am happy I did that well."

Mira Leung of Vancouver was seventh with a score of 44.34.

World champion Kimmie Meissner, expected to stage a season-long battle for gold with Asada, touched down on her triple lutz in a decent but unmoving performance to stand third. Fellow U.S. Olympian Emily Hughes was fifth.

"I made a mistake, but I don't think it's over," said Meissner, looking ahead to the free skate Saturday. "In my long program, there's a lot I'm going to try, and I still think it's anybody's game."

Chasing Asada

What Meissner won't try, apparently, is the triple Axel. At the 2005 nationals, she became the first American woman in more than a decade to land one, but her ankle has bothered her when she attempts it.

Asada, however, will open her free skate with the 3½-revolution jump.

Asada's grace was evident from her first move on the Hartford Civic Center ice Friday. Her triple lutz and triple flip-triple loop combination flowed beautifully into her footwork and long, elegant spirals. By the end of her routine, the fans were standing, and it was clear that Meissner, Ando and the rest of the world's women are chasing Asada.

Now training in California with Rafael Arutunian, who most recently coached Michelle Kwan, Asada was making her U.S. debut in a significant competition. It was a memorable opener and gave an early indication that her nation, which won the gold at the Torino Games thanks to Shizuka Arakawa, holds the reins on ice.

Asada overshadowed Ando's best-ever short program.

"Last year, I made many errors," Ando said, also through an interpreter. "So I'm determined. People said Miki Ando is just a jumper. I want to dispute that.

Meissner, the surprise winner at the worlds last March after finishing sixth in Turin, has been struggling with her triple flip. She had no trouble with that move Friday, but messed up the lutz and also had some sloppy spins. She said she felt relieved to finally get the season going.

"It's always nice to get the first one under your belt," the 17-year-old from Bel Air, Md., said. "It felt so good to be back out in front of the crowd, I felt so calm.

"I might have rushed it a little bit (on the lutz). But getting out there today and feeling pretty calm is always a good sign."

Japan's Oda takes men's title

The men's free skate was held later Friday night, with Japan's Nobunari Oda, the leader after the short program, holding on to take the title with 231.39 points.

American Evan Lysacek claimed silver with 221.09, while Frenchman Alban Preaubert completed the podium with a mark of 212.67.

Oda trains at the Mariposa School of Skating in Barrie, Ont., with coach Lee Barkell, the coach of Canadian champion Jeff Buttle. His choreographer is David Wilson of Montreal.

Christopher Mabee of Tillsonburg, Ont., was ninth with 163.16 points.

World champions Albena Denkova and Maxim Staviski of Bulgaria added the original dance to their win in compulsories and held a big lead heading into Saturday's free dance. They have 101.46 points to 90.63 for Americans Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov.

"These are pretty high marks, because they are usually very rare in the beginning of the season," Denkova said. "Even last year and before we were the world champions, we didn't get such high scores. So we're pretty happy."

Chantal Lefebvre and Arseni Markov, both of Lasalle, Que., were seventh in original dance, while Allie Hann-McCurdy of Nanaimo, B.C., and Michael Coreno of Delhi, Ont., were 11th. The Canadian teams were ninth and 11th respectively entering the free dance.