Marystown native Kaetlyn Osmond is in fourth place after the ladies' short program at the 2018 world figure skating championships being held near Milan, Italy.
On Wednesday, the 22-year-old Osmond strongly with a triple-flip, triple-toe combo followed by a triple Lutz, but she had trouble on her double Axel when she put her hands on the ice.
"That program wasn't the greatest I've ever done it,” said the Olympic bronze medallist afterwards.
“I don't usually make a mistake on the double Axel. But I was a little bit nervous today and I felt I had to fight through myself.”
Italy's home favourite Carolina Kostner is in first place, with Olympic gold medallist Alina Zagitova of Russia in second and Japan's Satoko Miyahara third.
Kostner had been fifth at the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang.
Reigning Canadian champion Gabrielle Daleman of Newmarket, Ont., is sixth.
Osmond and Daleman won silver and bronze medals, respectively, at the 2017 worlds. The ladies’ long program (free skate) is Saturday.
With files from The Associated Press
