Skating advance

Skating's dynamic duos take center stage today at Xcel Energy Center, as the national champions in pairs and ice dancing are decided. If you want to go, tickets are available for both sessions. Here's what to look for in today's free skates.

PAIRS When: 11:35 a.m. • TV: 3-5 p.m.

THE MEDAL CONTENDERS

World junior champions Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker grabbed the lead in Wednesday's short program, staying on their feet when many other teams could not. Several of the top U.S. pairs teams had sat out the fall competition season to nurse injuries or take a break, and the rust showed. McLaughlin and Brubaker scored 66.54 in the short program, followed by two-time U.S. champs Rena Inoue and John Baldwin (65.24) and defending champions Brooke Castile and Ben Okolski (58.95).

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

McLaughlin and Brubaker have looked spectacular this week in practices and in their short program. Polished and technically sound, they are the stars of the powerful pairs program at Broadmoor Skating Club in Colorado Springs, which already has won gold medals at these nationals in novice and junior pairs. They'll perform their free skate to "Romeo and Juliet." Inoue and Baldwin have had limited practice time with their free skate, but look for their signature throw triple axel today. Castile and Okolski said after their short program that they are confident in their ability to perform a great free skate.

ICE DANCING When: 4:45 p.m. • TV: 7-10 p.m., NBC

As expected, Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto hold the lead in ice dancing after the compulsory and original dances. Belbin and Agosto, trying to win their fifth consecutive U.S. title, have 106.15 points. Meryl Davis and Charlie White, bronze medalists at last year's nationals, are second with 103.28. Kim Navarro and Brent Bommentre are third with 94.09 points.

Belbin and Agosto received high marks, and great audience response, throughout the Grand Prix season for their free skate to music by Chopin. Performing to a classical piece has been a stretch for the team, which is trying to tie a U.S. record for most national titles won by an ice-dancing team, and they have shown new depth and maturity in their expression. Davis and White also are an appealing team that should hang on to second place with its program set to the Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby." Emily Samuelson and Evan Bates, the U.S. junior champions last year, are in fourth place and making a fine impression in their first season at the senior level.