First for a moment anyway

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It’s not going to last, but there is a warmup group now so young Americans Emily Samuelson (18) and Evan Bates (19) are, right now, in first place at the world championships in ice dancing. This is the first senior worlds for the pair who won the junior world title last year. As they waited for their scores, the Staples Center crowd started chanting ‘USA.’ They had been 12th going into this final of three portions of ice dancing. There are 10 more couples to skate.

-- Diane Pucin

Emily Samuelson and Evan Bates of the United States compete in the Free Dance during the 2009 ISU World Figure Skating Championships on March 27, 2009 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.