World Figure Skating Championships : Thomas Grabs Lead; Chin Is Third, Witt Fourth

American Debi Thomas moved into the lead in the women’s competition at the World Figure Skating Championships Wednesday with a short program that sparkled as brightly as her sequined dress.

Tiffany Chin of Toluca Lake, the 1984 national champion who has been slowed by injuries since placing third in the World Championships last year, is in third place.

Defending champion Katerina Witt of East Germany dropped to fourth place.

Thomas, the 18-year-old national champion from San Jose, has a low score of 1.6 after two of three events, ahead of Soviet Kira Ivanova, who is at 3.0. Chin follows at 3.2, with Witt at 3.4.

The women’s championship will be decided Friday night.

Thomas, the first black skater to win a U.S. seniors national title, put on a delicate yet spirited routine. She can clinch the title with either a first or second in Friday’s long program, making her the first American since Rosalynn Sumners in 1983 to capture the women’s crown.

Witt, 20, faltered during a triple toe loop-double loop combination, landing on both feet and losing points on the technical end.

Chin, 18, part of this season’s dynamic American threesome with the up-and-coming Caryn Kadavy, appeared fully recovered from injuries that kept her off the ice most of last year.