Russia's Kapranova sets pace in rhythmic

By Sonia Oxley

BEIJING (Reuters) - Russian Olga Kapranova combined elegant leaps and creative handling of her hoop and rope to lead the field on the first day of qualifying in the rhythmic gymnastics at the Olympics on Thursday.

The 20-year-old 2005 world all-around champion notched up a total of 36.825 points for her two routines, 0.275 more than second-placed compatriot Evgeniya Kanaeva.

After weaving her body through her golden hoop while performing a series of graceful pirouettes and delicate jumps to earn 18.475, Kapranova underlined her gold medal potential with a rousing rope routine that scored 18.350.

The 2008 European all-around champion Kanaeva made up for a mistake in her rope routine, where she let the pink cord fly off her foot, with a confident display of her skills with the hoop to stay hot on Kapranova's heels with two apparatus to go.

Athens bronze medalist and world champion Anna Bessonova of Ukraine was penalized for exceeding the 90-second limit for her rope routine but a dazzling hoop performance left her sitting in third place on 36.400.

The gymnasts will show off their skills with the clubs and ribbon on Friday, and the top 10 will go into Saturday's final.

In group qualifying, favorites and double champions Russia paid the price for throwing one of their ropes out of the marked area to lie in fourth place with a second routine to perform.

Belarus led the way, scoring 17.525 for their vibrant rope routine. China were in surprise second place, with Italy in third.