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Summary Japan took the lead after the first day of the six-nation World Team Trophy.
Daisuke Takahashi upstaged Canadas world champion Patrick Chan with a record-breaking short programme as hosts Japan took the lead after the first day of the six-nation World Team Trophy Thursday.In the womens short programme of the season-closing event in Tokyo, Italys world champion Carolina Kostner led two Japanese: world bronze medallist Akiko Suzuki and Kanako Murakami.Takahashi, who finished runner-up to Chan at the world champioships in late March, nailed an opening quadruple toeloop followed by a triple axel and two triples to collect 94.00 in the mens shorts programme.Takahashis score was the highest achieved in short programmes in competitions sanctioned by the International Skating Union. The previous mark of 93.02 was scored by Chan at last years world championships.Chan fell on a triple axel attempt after landing what he later called the quad of the season. He went on to nail a triple-triple combination and hit a maximum level-four in two spins and a step sequence to score 89.81.Japan were top of the team table with 45 points. First place in each category is awarded 12 points with less points given to lower finishes.The United States also collected 45 points but ranked lower. Teams with better individual standings are placed higher when tied on total placement points.France trailed in third spot with 35, followed by Canada with 33, Italy 33 and Russia 22.The event, with $1 million in prize money, brings together selected skaters from the six countries who have scored the highest combined points at major senior and junior competitions during the 2011-2012 season.Each country fields two skaters, both in the mens and womens singles, as well as one pair and one ice dance couple.The World Team Trophy was first held in Tokyo in 2009 and the second edition had been due to take place in Japan last year but was postponed until this week because of last Marchs earthquake-tsunami and the ensuing nuclear crisis.The team competition will become an official event at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.
