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Belbin and Agosto Set Their Sights on the Podium at World Championships

Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto in the compulsory dance at the 2005 World Championships Photo by Michelle Wojdyla

Event Results, News and Photos

(3/15/05) — Tanith Belbin says she is in a comfort zone. Ben Agosto admits it's like catching a wave on the ice.

Whatever it is, it made for a good start Tuesday at the World Championships as two-time U.S. champions Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto began their quest for the first U.S. ice dancing World medal in 20 years.

They finished second in the Midnight Blues compulsory dance in Moscow's Luzhniki arena, scoring 42.18 points. Reigning World champions Tatiana Navka and Roman Kostomarov of Russia lead with 45.97.

More importantly, Belbin and Agosto were ahead of two couples who beat them at the 2004 World Championships in Dortmund — Elena Grushina and Ruslan Goncharov of Ukraine, third with 41.30, and Albena Denkova and Maxim Stavisyki of Bulgaria, fourth with 40.81.

Agosto was happy with the result and the performance.

“It has been a good dance for us,” he said. “We did it in nationals this year. To be able to come to Moscow and perform it as well as we did was wonderful.”

Belbin looked at last year.

“Because this was the dance we performed last year at the World Championship, I feel really great to come to these and show the work we have put into the dance,” Belbin said.

“To be in second feels actually quite comfortable; it really motivates
us for the rest of the event,” she continued. “We feel so confident with our programs this year. We really feel we are capable of moving up this year in the ranks.”

Agosto compared it to another sport.

“We definitely think we are on a roll now,” Agosto said. “We feel very lucky and we caught a wave and will ride it as far as we can. And that is a rare thing to catch in this sport. So we are very happy to keep going where we are headed.”

Where they are headed is a possible second place finish. It has been 30 years since Colleen O'Connor and Jim Millns won a silver medal.

In 11th place are Melissa Gregory and Russian-born Denis Petukhov with 34.40 points. It's Petukhov's first trip with his new U.S. passport since being sworn in as an American citizen Feb. 22.

“It felt a little bit strange because I haven't been here in five years,” Petukhov said of returning to Russia. “Of course, I have good memories about it. I am happy to be here.”

As an added bonus, he is able to introduce his wife Melissa to his friends and relatives.

The ice dancing competition continues Thursday with the original dance.