World silver medalists Tanith Belbin-Ben Agosto lead Skate America after compulsory ice dance

Belbin-Agosto lead Skate America ice dance

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. — When this ice dancing gig is over, Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto might want to take their act to Hollywood.

The Americans — silver medalists at the world championships and 2006 Turin Olympics — scored 39.28 points for a waltz that was simply golden at Skate America on Friday. They were well ahead of Russia’s Jana Khokhlova and Sergei Novitski at 36.94. The original dance is Saturday and the free dance Sunday.

The compulsory dance is usually something of a snoozer, but Belbin and Agosto made the audience — and judges — take notice because, well, they just looked so darn good.

Belbin couldn’t have been happier with her outfit, called Tiffany Ribbon and provided by Designs to Shine, a ballroom costume company that supplies dresses for “Dancing with the Stars.” She changed costumes after the couple won Cup of China two weeks ago.

“This is a beautiful and regal dance and I wanted to have something special,” Belbin said.

The turquoise dress, as ice dance costumes usually go, was noticeable for all the right reasons. She also sported faux diamond earrings given to her by a South Korean fan.

“There are some very friendly fans,” she said with a laugh.

As for participating in “Dancing with the Stars,” that isn’t in the plans. There’s a little something called the Vancouver Olympics on the horizon.

Belbin and Agosto are on pace to qualify for next month’s Grand Prix Final in Tokyo. Another U.S. team, Meryl Davis and Charlie White, already is in the final, underlining the strength the Americans at last have in the discipline.

“It makes it more exciting for nationals, for the audience,” Agosto said. “And more for us. You never want to go to a competition and feel you don’t have to do anything to win. We know we have to go and do our work and do things well.”

Khokhlova and Novitski scored a season best with their performance.

“That was a very good beginning,” he said.

Later Friday was the pairs and men’s short programs.