Korea’s top figure skater Kim Yu-na has finished first in the short program at the 2009 ISU World Figure Skating Championships underway in Los Angeles.

She finished the female single short program with a score of 76-point-12, setting a world record for the event.

Her score was also three-point-88 points higher than her previous record set at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships last month.

Kim’s perennial rival, Japan’s Mao Asada, tallied at 66-point-06 points to come in third.

Kim will compete Sunday morning in the free skating event to try for her first gold at the World Figure Skating Championships.

Meanwhile, Korea's Kim Na-young finished in 17th place, also securing a spot in the free skating competition.