FIGURE SKATING: Setting a record score on the way, Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov of Russia have skated to a comfortable lead in the pairs short programme at the Iceberg Palace on Tuesday.

Volosozhar and Trankov’s powerful performance to "Waltz Masquerade" featured a high triple twist, side by side triple toeloops and a throw triple loop.

The World Champions posted a personal best and record score with 84.17 points, with the crowd roaring loudly for every element they landed.

The pair have already won gold these Games, with Russia taking out the team competition. Trankov said the crowd were right behind them again.

"It was a nervous moment because we needed to repeat our performance from the other night. It was good that we managed our emotions. They were under control,” he said.

"The crowd was incredible, it's very special. We are so happy to have such a moment and this amazing competition in our lives. The Olympics in Russia - I don't know when it will happen again and it's something we'll take with us for the rest of our lives.

"For me it's incredible. I will never feel the same. They pushed us very hard. We hope they enjoyed our skating. The whole country is giving us their support now." 

German pair Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy are sitting in second place, followed by another Russian pair of Ksenia Stolbova and Fedor Klimov.

Savchenko and Szolkowy put out an entertaining programme to ‘Pink Panther’, hitting a huge throw triple flip and side by side triple toeloops. They received 79.64 points.

Delivering a flawless Flamenco routine, Stolbova and Kilmov earned 75.21 points.

2010 Olympic silver medallists Pang Qing and Tong Jian are sitting fourth with 73.30 points after Pang under-rotated the triple toeloop.

Trankov said they were ready to go for the next stage of the competition, with the free skating on Wednesday.

"Now we must skate the free programme, to go and forget about this performance. We have to understand that it's a new day,” he said.