Nov. 14, 1999 12:19 PM AP

By SALVATORE ZANCA

Associated Press Writer

GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany (AP) World champion Maria Butyrskaya won the women's event at the Nation's Cup Sunday, completing a near sweep of the titles for Russia.

Butyrskaya, skating to the classic "Swan Lake," was spotty technically. She stepped out of a triple flip and had trouble with landings on two other jumps.

"I have two new programs and it is very difficult mentally for me since I didn't know what kind of mistakes I would make," Butyrskaya said. "I knew I would make mistakes. But it is a nice surprise to win."

She received marks between 5.3 and 5.7 for technique, which included four good triple jumps. For artistry, she had marks between 5.6 and 5.8.

She will have to do better if she is to beat Michelle Kwan at the World Championships at Nice, France, in March.

Butyrskaya, 27, won the European and world titles last season. At the worlds, she became the oldest woman to win a singles title, upsetting Kwan, who was hampered by a cold.

Elena Liashenko of Ukraine finished second and Irina Slutskaya of Russia third.

Russians also won the men's and pairs titles Saturday.

Yevgeny Plushenko completed eight triple jumps and barely missed a quad in winning the men's event. Maria Petrova and Alexei Tikhonov took the pairs event for the second consecutive year.

Canadians Shae-Lynn Bourne and Victor Kraatz took the ice dance title.

The next Grand Prix meet is the Lalique Trophy in Paris starting Thursday. The top point scorers in the six-meet series qualify for the final at Lyon, France, in January.