LAKE PLACID, New York : Chinese veterans Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo, fresh from victory in the Cup of China, seized the pairs lead at Skate America with a dominant performance in the short programme.

The former world and Olympic medallists retired in 2007, got married, then decided to come back for the Olympic season.

They won their first competition in two years at Cup of China two weeks ago and were delighted with a short programme here that garnered 74.36 points.

"Today, I'm so happy we could do that," Zhao said of a programme that included a stunning twist lift and side-by-side triple toe loops. "It was a good short programme."

The couple won Olympic bronze medals in 2002 and 2006. The lure of gold in Vancouver next year was plenty of motivation to return.

"The Olympics," Shen said simply when asked why they resumed training in May.

Added Zhao: "We dream."

Even their rivals were impressed.

"It's an honour to be on the ice with them," said American Rockne Brubaker, who was lying fourth with partner Keauna McLaughlin after a routine marred by poor side-by-side jumps.

Ukraine's Tatiana Volosozahar and Stanislav Morozov were a distant second with a score of 61.70, with Canadians Meagan Duhamel and Craig Buntin third.

Pairs medals will be decided on Saturday with the free skate.

American Evan Lysacek seized control of the men's competition with a strong short programme to Igor Stravinski's "Firebird".

"I was quite sceptical at first," Lysacek admitted of his first reaction to the music and programme presented to him by coach Frank Carroll and choreographer Lori Nichol. "I thought this was so not me, how will this work?"

But Lysacek said he has found the programme a welcome challenge.

"It's such an interesting character," Lysacek said. "I started enjoying it."

He led the short programme with 79.17 points, 6.5 points ahead of France's Florent Amodio. American Brandon Mroz was third. The men's free skate is on Saturday.

Competition in the fifth of six ISU figure skating Grand Prix events opened with the ice dance compulsory dance, with world and Olympic silver medallists Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto of the United States taking the lead after the first phase of the competition.

Belbin and Agosto scored 39.28 points for the golden waltz.

They owned a comfortable lead over Russians Jana Khokhlova and Sergei Novitski at 36.94. The original dance is Saturday and the free dance Sunday.

Ladies' competition begins with the short programme on Saturday with the free skate on Sunday.

- AFP /ls