2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics

Yu-Na Kim (see right) from South Korea set a new world record in the short program tonight with 78.50 points. I just love that James Bond program -- the pacing is sooo perfect and the change in tempo is masterful. Why can't everyone have the perfect music for their short? Mao Asada from Japan, skating to Waltz Masquerade, is in second place with 73.78 points (she landed her triple axel, double toe cleanly).

And the performance of the night goes to Canada's Joannie Rochette, looking saucy skating to La Cumparita, and she is sitting in third place with 71.36 points. Every single person at Pacific Coliseum and every single person watching on television (like me), was pulling for Joannie to do well after her mother's sudden death on Sunday. She delivered -- no deductions, no negative Grade of Execution on anything. She looked sad and teary afterwards. We all did. What can you say?

Japan's Miki Ando, skating to Requiem by Mozart, is in fourth place, followed by the U.S.'s Rachael Flatt and Mirai Nagasu. Miki went for the triple Lutz, triple loop combination and it was downgraded. But she skated very last and must have realized that she needed to go for it 100% to be in the game and I applaud her attempt. The top 24 ladies move onto the free skate which will be held on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET. Tune in to NBC at 8 p.m. ET for live coverage.