Miriam Manzano has placed 18th in the short program at the world championships, taking her overall position to 19th with the free skate still to come tonight, Saturday 27th AEST. The Canberra skater was in 23rd place after the qualifying round earlier in the week.

Manzano’s best result in a world championship was 16th in 2002, and she finished in 26th place last year.

United States skater Sasha Cohen is in first place after the short program, with two Japanese skaters, Shizuka Arakawa and Miko Ando, in second and third.

Defending world champion Michelle Kwan has moved up a place from her qualifying position to be in fourth place.