Mao Asada Leads, Carolina Kostner in 2nd, Gracie Gold 5th After Short Program at Worlds 2014

Gracie Gold, Ashley Wagner and Italy’s Carolina Kostner glide across the ice during the short program at the 2014 ISU World Figure Skating Championships held at Saitama Super Arena on Thursday afternoon (March 27) in Saitama, Japan.

Currently, Japan’s Mao Asada sits on top of the leaderboard with 78.66 points, followed by Carolina earning 77.24 and Russia’s Yulia Lipnitskaya, with 74.54.

Gracie, 18, is in 5th at the moment, with Ashley, 22, in 7th and Polina Edmunds in 12th.

Remember, the top two U.S. finishes must add up to 13 or less to keep the three spots at the world championships for next year.

“There is. . .a lot of pressure for the United States to keep the three spots we already have,” Ashley shared. “It’s one of those times where maybe I’m tired but I’m not going to be selfish. I’m thinking about everybody else who might be going to worlds next year.”

10+ pics inside…