Richard Zander, an American-born West German who...

Richard Zander, an American-born West German who almost quit last year because of a back injury, upset Soviet favorite Aleksandr Fadeev and won the men’s compulsories at the European Figure Skating Championships at Birmingham, England.

Zander, who was born in Portland, Ore., and grew up in Los Angeles, gained top marks in both figures with a superb display of technical skating and swept into the lead on the tournament’s first day.

Fadeev, aiming for his fourth European title in 9 years, is in third place.