Russia’s Slutskaya Skates to World Title

Irina Slutskaya on Saturday won the gold medal for the second time at the world championships, capping a figure skating season in which she prevailed despite a heart ailment and knee injury.

The Russian delivered a bold women’s program that featured seven clean triples. She finished ahead of Sasha Cohen, who won the silver medal for the second consecutive year.

“I’m happy because it’s so difficult to come back so many times, to suffer so many misfortunes,” said Slutskaya, who did not compete in the 2003 world championships because her mother was sick.

Carolina Kostner of Italy won the bronze. Michelle Kwan, the five-time world champion, was fourth, the first time since 1996 she finished a world championship without a medal.

“I can leave Moscow satisfied, but disappointed, satisfied -- kind of a roller-coaster ride and not as consistent as I wanted it to be,” Kwan said.

Cohen was within three points of Slutskaya after the short program but was penalized for flaws in some jumps and an off-balance landing on a triple flip. She finished more than eight points behind Slutskaya.

Russian skaters won three of the four events, failing only in the men’s after defending champion Evgeni Plushenko withdrew because of a groin injury. Stephane Lambiel of Switzerland won the men’s event, followed by Jeffrey Buttle of Canada and American Evan Lysacek.

In pairs, Tatiana Totmianina and Maxim Marinin won their second consecutive gold.

In ice dancing, Tatiana Navka and Roman Kostomarov successfully defended their title. Tanith Belbin’s and Ben Agosto’s silver was the first medal for Americans in the event since 1985.