Here are the leading medal contenders at the World Figure Skating Championships in Moscow.

WOMEN

Michelle Kwan, 24: Five-time world champion is making her debut in the new scoring system. ... Free skate to "Bolero" was choreographed by Christopher Dean. ... Near recluse this fall, skating in two invitationals but skipping Grand Prix series. ... Still on top after more than a decade with unmatched artistry and grace, but the competition is getting tougher. ... After dazzling at 2004 U.S. championships, finished third at worlds, her lowest placement since 1995. ... Won ninth U.S. title in January.

Irina Slutskaya, 26: After year of illness, the Russian has come back to be unbeaten this season and reclaimed European and Grand Prix Finals titles. ... Has beaten Kwan nine times since 2000, but lost to her every time at world championships except 2002. ... Knows the new system well and scores high with difficult spins. ... A good jumper when on, but was lackluster in winning her sixth European title. ... Still on medication for inflammation of heart lining.

Sasha Cohen, 20: Missed Grand Prix series because of lingering back injury but came in second at U.S. championships. ... In December reunited with former coach John Nicks. ... One of most talented skaters around, combining equal parts athleticism, artistry and beauty, but falls short when it matters most. ... Won silver at last year's worlds.

Others: Japanese trio of defending world champion Shizuka Arakawa, 23, Miki Ando, 17, fourth last year and only woman to do a quad in competition, and Fumie SugurlI, 24, who recently won Four Continents with brilliant skate.

MEN

Evgeni Plushenko, 22: Three-time world and four-time European champion. ... Admits he's getting tired of competition but vows to be rested for worlds. ... Has won 20 of 23 competitions since his silver in 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. ... With quads, triples in combinations, has all the jumps and looks for more while developing artistry.

Johnny Weir, 20: Followed surprise 2004 U.S. victory with another this past January. ... Won two Grand Prix events and was second to Plushenko at Cup of Russia. ... Qualified for Grand Prix Finals but withdrew with sprained foot. ... Still working to perfect quad but surpasses Plushenko for artistry and quality of skating.

Tim Goebel, 24: "Quad King" got his boot troubles figured out and came in second to Weir at U.S. championships. ... Switched coaches in November to Audrey Weisiger. ... Muscle spasm in side of back forced him to withdraw from two competitions.

Brian Joubert, 20: Frenchman led Plushenko after short program at Europeans. ... Advised by Olympic champion Alexei Yagudin. ... Has best quad in the business when on.

Others: Canadians Jeff Buttle and Emanuel Sandhu, American Evan Lysacek.

PAIRS

Tatiana Totmianina, 23, and Maxim Marinin, 27: She crashed to ice and was knocked unconscious at Skate America in Pittsburgh in October, spent a few days in hospital with a concussion and bruises, but was back on ice 12 days later. ... They were virtually flawless in winning their fourth European title. ... Won world title last year despite losing in free skate. ... Latest in Russian dynasty, but train in Chicago.

Shen Xue, 26, and Zhao Hongbo, 31: Hard to forget audience rising well before end of their program in 2003 worlds in Washington that earned 6.0s in technique and presentation. ... Well known for their high-flying throws, but other elements cost them in 2004 worlds and other meets. ... Have lost three of last four meetings with Totmianina and Marinin.

Others: The other Chinese and the other Russians who will probably fill the rest of the top six places, including Russian veterans Maria Petrova and Alexei Tokhonov.

ICE DANCE

Tatiana Navka, 29, and Roman Kostomarov, 28: After an early season loss, changed their routine and have been unbeaten since. ... Latest in long line of Russia's standout ice dancers. ... Train in Montclair, N.J.

Tanith Belbin, 20, and Ben Agosto, 23: Made astonishing climb in world rankings to come in second at Grand Prix Finals. ... Could this be season they end 20-year U.S. medal drought at worlds? ... However, they cannot compete at 2006 Olympics because she still will not become U.S. citizen until 2007.

Others: Bulgarians Albenka Denkova, 30, and Maxim Staviski, 27, who handed Navka and Kostomarov an early loss, but had to drop out of Europeans with her having bronchitis.