(Reuters) – Canadians Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps lead the pairs event after delivering an electrifying performance in front of their home crowd at the World Figure Skating Championships in Montreal on Wednesday.
Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps recorded a personal best 77.48 points in the short program with reigning world champions Miura Riku and Kihara Ryuichi of Japan in second place with 73.53.
Italy’s Sara Conti and Niccolo Macii are third with 72.88.
Stellato-Dudek, 40, will look to become the oldest world champion – in any discipline – in Thursday’s free skate.
Stellato-Dudek retired in 2001 due to injuries but returned in 2016.
“To have the support from the fans in the stands today was really incredible, today was a real privilege,” Deschamps said.
The pair attacked their program despite the high expectations foisted on them.
“It’s important to acknowledge the pressure,” Stellato-Dudek said.
“This is our home crowd, and this is where Max is from.”
The world championships are being held at Centre Bell arena, which is home to the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens.
(Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles; Editing by Toby Davis)
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