Plushenko faces biggest challenge in Vancouver

Vancouver (AFP) – Comeback king Evgeny Plushenko faces his biggest challenge as he bids to prove he still has what it takes against younger rivals on the ice in Vancouver next week.

The reigning men’s figure skating champion, 27, has been lured out of retirement by the dream of a second Olympic title.

But the challengers will be lining up with at least seven men capable of taking the title in the Pacific Coliseum.

“Everyone is so strong, they are almost the same,” admitted Plushenko, after claiming his sixth European title in Tallinn last month.

Four years ago Plushenko blew away the opposition to claim his first Olympic gold after silver in 2002.

The three-time world champion then retired because of knee problems.

But the lure of a second gold proved too much and he sealed his return in Tallinn after his leading rivals Stephane Lambiel and Brian Joubert both failed to give solid performances.

The Russian finished a massive 16.85 points ahead of former two-time world champion Lambiel with Joubert third.

But the skater from St Petersburg believes he can keep the title in Russian hands for the fifth consecutive Games, as his country look to lay the groundwork for the Sochi Games in four years time.

“I feel much better today, that is the difference,” said Plushenko of the difference between four years ago.

“My wife insisted I come back. It’s such a great feeling that maybe I was missing that.”

But it remains to be seen how he can perform against the best including world champion Evan Lysacek and fellow American Jeremy Abbott, the reigning US champion.

Lambiel, also returning from injury, wants to be the first Swiss Olympic figure skating champion, and turn his silver from Torino into gold.

Japan’s Daisuke Takahashi and Nobunari Oda, Canada’s Patrick Chan, Czech Tomas Verner and former world champion Joubert are also capable of a shot at the top of the podium.

Joubert warned that he was ready to “eat his rivals” after his disappointing third in the Europeans.

“I need to take knocks to put myself under pressure and react,” said Joubert. “I’ve found my fighting spirit again.”

Both Oda and Takahashi would love nothing more than to become the first Japanese man to claim an Olympic figure skating medal.

Oda has shown his form with two Grand Prix wins in Paris and China but finished second at the nationals behind Takahashi who returned after knee surgery which forced the 2007 world silver medallist to miss the 2008-2009 season.

World runner-up Chan, 19, returning following a calf injury, will also be competing in his first Olympic Games with the dream of a gold for the hosts, but without a quadruple jump his chances are reduced.

“The last two world championships were won without doing a quad. That is just not possible,” said Plushenko. “I will be trying to do two quads.”

The men’s competition gets underway on February 16 with the short programme, followed two days later by the free skating final.