Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford of Canada compete in the pairs short program during the ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Shanghai, March 25, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

Canadians steal spotlight from Chinese lovebirds

North America ruled on the first day of the world championships after Canadian pair Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford produced a flawless skate to steal the spotlight from Chinese stalwarts Pang Qing and Tong Jian on Wednesday.

With Americans Madison Chock and Evan Bates setting the benchmark in the short dance, Asian celebrations were a little muted at the competition, which is being hosted in China for the first time.

Chinese lovebirds Pang and Tong, pairs world champions in 2006 and 2010, first competed together in 1996 when many of their current rivals were toddlers.