Skiers Kristi Leskinen, Bode Miller start strong in 'The Superstars' TV show

June 24, 1:57 PMSkiing ExaminerEric Wagnon

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Freestyle skier Kristi Leskinen and her teammate Maksim
Chmerkovskiy lead "The Superstars" after one episode.
Photo: Adam Larkey/American Broadcasting Companies (ABC)

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"The Superstars" Standings (Week 1)

• Leskinen/ Chmerkovskiy: 180 points
  
• Chastain/ Iglesias Jr.: 150 points
  
• Miller/ Hemmis: 140 points
  

Leskinen leads competition

Athletes from the world of skiing turned in solid performances in the premiere episode of "The Superstars," a primetime show on ABC, airing on Tuesday night. Freestyle skier Kristi Leskinen and her partner, dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy, stood in first place after the first round of competition. Alpine racer Bode Miller and his partner Paige Hemmis of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" finished in third, just behind soccer player Brandi Chastain and singer Julio Iglesias Jr. Each of the eight teams pairs an athlete with a celebrity.

Click here for Kristi Leskinen slideshow

In the first episode taped in the Bahamas, each team biked and ran over a 1.1 mile course across the Paradise Island Bridge to the Atlantis Resort. Both teammates had to cross the finish line, but each team was given only one bicycle. While Chastain and Iglesias Jr. won the event, Leskinen and Chmerkovskiy finished second. Miller and Hemmis came in fourth.

Leskinen said on the show following the race that her skiing background prepared her for the strength aspect more than for the cardiovascular endurance challenge. Despite his team's strong finish, Miller struggled at points and cramped up during the race.

The teams also competed in a kayak relay race on the man-made rapids at the Atlantis. Leskinen and Miller's teams each won their respective qualifying heats. In the final race, Miller won the first leg of the relay, but Leskinen overtook Miller's partner, Hemmis, to win the event.

Terrell Owens eliminated

By virtue of their top three overall finishes in the points standings, Leskinen and Miller's teams did not have to compete in any of the elimination competitions at the close of the program. The team of NFL player Terrell Owens and model Joanna Krupa ended up being eliminated. The series is slated to last six episodes.

Leskinen sent a message through her Twitter account that she watched the show at a cast premiere party in Los Angeles.

Show ratings look weak

While the skiing athletes looked strong, overnight television ratings did not look good for the program. "America's Got Talent" on NBC dominated the timeslot. The next episode is scheduled for Tuesday, June 30 at 8 p.m. EDT.

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