Fifteen-year-old Kamila Valieva dominated on her Olympic debut Sunday in Beijing, coming close to breaking her own world record and propelling the Russians into first place ahead of the United States in the figure skating team event. Valieva, the favourite in the women's individual event, swept away the competition with a score of 90.18 in the short programme, skimming across the ice with almost supernatural poise and precision. Japan's Wakaba Higuchi came a distant second with 74.73. "I felt a little bit nervous, but also calm," a glowing Valieva said afterwards, adding this was an unusual feeling.