The new figure skating scoring system has its first truly controversial result after world champion Evgeni Plushenko was upset by Canada's Emanuel Sandhu in the Grand Prix finals on Saturday night.

Plushenko jumped himself to the brink of exhaustion in the free skate, but received no credit for a third combination jump early in his programme. When he cut a triple axel to a double and skipped a triple salchow, his technical marks dropped so low that he fell to second place.

Even though Plushenko hit two huge quadruple toe loops in combination, the seven judges whose marks counted on the panel of 11 penalized him enough for his miscues that he lost by 3.11 points - although he had a 3.40 edge in presentation.

It was a shocking defeat for the two-time world winner and defending champion who bent over for a long period to catch his breath after the free skate.

But beating the Olympic silver medallist was the biggest win of Sandhu's career. By far.

Usually on the fringes of contention, he originally didn't qualify for this event. Sandhu, a late replacement for American Tim Goebel, who withdrew with equipment problems, used complex spins, a quad and five triples, plus some sensational footwork, to pull off the upset.

In pairs, Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo, who must really like America, won their third Grand Prix overall crown. Just 8 1/2 months after winning the world title in Washington, DC, the Chinese pair again was dynamic.

"So far, these two events are the most emotional experience of my skating life," Zhao said through an interpreter.

Skating majestically to "The Nutcracker," Shen and Zhao's series of intricate lifts and spins and soaring throws had the crowd on its feet long before the music ended.

Zhao pumped his fists vigorously at the conclusion of the free skate, then threw kisses to the crowd while awaiting the marks. And those marks in the new points system used for the Grand Prix series were superb: a 130.08 total that far outdistanced runners-up Tatiana Totmianina and Maxim Marinin of Russia.

"Today, I got the feeling like back in Washington," Zhao said. "I recall the memories of that. Again we have performed our best."

A year ago, the Russians edged the Chinese in this event. But Shen and Zhao won it in 1999 and 2000.

But only in 2003 have they become the couple to beat. And they are working on even more difficult elements, such as a throw quad salchow.

Still, their biggest improvements have come in their presentation, which once was stiff, but now flows grandly.

"The Chinese team, especially the pairs, all pay much attention to our strengths," Zhao said. "The artistry training occupies a larger half of our training."

Shen and Zhao also lead the wave of Chinese pairs who have become contenders at every international event. Only China had three pairs in the Grand Prix finals, although Pang Qing and Tong Jian, finished fifth and Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao were sixth.

Fumie Suguri of Japan, the two-time world bronze medalist, carried a lead over American Sasha Cohen into the women's free skate. Following that was the free dance, with Americans Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto entering in second place.

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