PORTLAND, Ore. -- Katie Orscher and Garrett Lucash made just one mistake in their short program Wednesday night, good enough to take the lead in the pairs competition at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.
On a night of skating filled with flaws and falls, the only error by Orscher and Lucash, runners-up at the nationals the previous two years, came when she fell on a throw triple flip.
With other skaters struggling, that was good enough for the lead going into Friday night's free skate. Technical scores for Orscher and Lucash ranged from 5.0 to 5.5, and 5.5 to 5.7 for artistry.
"It feels good, but the job's not over yet," said Lucash, who had been fighting the flu and was unsure of his leg strength going into the short program.
Defending national champions Rena Inoue and John Baldwin were second after a disappointing performance. He doubled a triple lutz, and the two fell out of synch on side-by-side spins.
Their scores for required elements ranged from 4.9 to 5.4, and from 5.1 to 5.7 for presentation.
Baldwin said he rushed his takeoff for the triple lutz, considered one of the more difficult side-by-side jumps.
"I just thought about getting it done and you can't think like that," he said.
The events were marred by a car accident earlier in the day that claimed the life of skater Angela Nikodinov's mother. The skater, her parents and coach were headed into the city from the airport when their shuttle collided with another car and rolled. Delores Nikodinov was pronounced dead at the scene.
Angela Nikodinov, who was treated and released for minor injuries, withdrew from the ladies' competition Wednesday night.
"It's just so sad," said Baldwin, who knew Delores well. "They're always together."
Marcy Hinzmann and Aaron Parchem were third, skating to a medley that included Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon."
Hinzmann doubled her triple toe loop, but they otherwise skated cleanly, earning marks between 4.9 and 5.0 for required elements and 5.1 and 5.4 for presentation.
