Figure skating-German duo Fabienne Hase and Volodin seize lead in Olympic pairs on error-filled night

MILAN, Feb 15 : Germany's Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin seized the lead after the pairs short programme at the Milano Cortina Olympics in a session defined as much by their precision as by unexpected errors by others. 

The reigning world silver medallists capitalised on a rare mistake from Japan's two‑time world champions Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara to top the standings with 80.01 points on Sunday, heading into Monday's free programme and blow the competition wide open.

"Our goal was to go out there and feel like we do in practice," Hase said. "So we tried to do that. After the programme, we were happy that everything worked out.

"The crowd was amazing, they supported us a lot. So we are happy overall but it was just the first part. Tomorrow (free programme) we have to do the same again."

European champions Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava of Georgia were second with 75.46, despite her stumble on the landing of their throw triple flip.

"We made a mistake during our performance. I am not very satisfied about the result," Metelkina said. "I am happy that my partner supported me."

Canadians Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud were third (74.60).

Skating to "El Abrazo" by Maxime Rodriguez and Frederic Ruiz, Fabienne Hase and Volodin opened with a huge triple twist lift and other than a tiny trip by Fabienne Hase to start their step sequence, they were virtually flawless the rest of the way.

"I think I just thought 'not another mistake now' after we managed to control everything well," Fabienne Hase said.

"Sometimes little stumbles happen. We tried to cover it up well."

The Germans skated last, and after a parade of shaky, mistake‑laden programmes, their performance felt like a breath of fresh air.

Miura and Kihara had