WASHINGTON -- Lisa Weiss pumped her fists twice and mouthed the word ''Yes.'' Then she seemed to turn her head in disgust as her husband, U.S. national champion Michael Weiss, was winning the first men's qualifying group Monday at the World Figure Skating Championships.

Actually, she was embarrassed.

After the performance was over, her reactions were replayed for the audience on the MCI Center's large scoreboard.

''I looked like I am angry, but I really wasn't,'' she said, laughing. ''That wasn't my emotion at all.''

Lisa, who also is Michael's choreographer, has heard her husband harp about these world championships for three years, ever since they were awarded to Washington. The couple live in nearby McLean, Va.

''It's always been predominantly in the back of his mind, more so than the Olympics,'' Lisa Weiss said. ''You hear about other champions when they've won, they always say 'I want to be an Olympic champion.' Michael has always said, 'I want to be a world champion.' ''

Lisa Weiss has been supportive of her husband's use of a sports psychologist. Friday, fellow American Tim Goebel said he thought using a sports psychologist was ''silly.''

''If you can't get it together on your own, then maybe this isn't the thing for you,'' he added.

Said Lisa Weiss: ''That's an opinion. But I would say after today's performance, he might want to change his opinion.''

Alexei Mishin, who coaches 2001 world winner Evgeni Plushenko, also isn't a big fan of sports psychology.

''If somebody needs a psychotherapist, he is sick,'' Mishin said. Then, tapping Plushenko on the shoulder, Mishin added: ''He is healthy.''

Secure feeling
While some skaters were anxious about traveling to Washington during the war in Iraq, local native Weiss offered a perspective that would make the Chamber of Commerce proud.

''This is the safest place to be in the world right now,'' said the reigning U.S. champion. ''Our forces are defending the city better than any city in the country, or in the world. I live here. I wouldn't endanger my kids if I felt it was not safe.''

Japan's Takeshi Honda, who trains in Canada, put his hands together as if saying a prayer when asked about his trip.

''I was a little scared to go on the flight,'' Honda said. ''But last year on Sept. 11, I was on a flight, so that's even scarier.''

Security at the MCI Center was tight, using most of the measures in place for NBA and NHL games. Spectators could bring nothing bigger than a purse into the building.

Foreign support
Surprisingly, there were very few U.S. flags or banners for American skaters as the world championships began Monday. Other than a sign saying ''Kwan is Golden,'' the other posters were in support of foreign skaters.

''Evgeni -- The Greatest'' hung in the lower bowl, as did two signs for Ilia Klimkin. He and Plushenko, the men's favorite, are Russians.

Another sign read ''Amazing Emanuel,'' for Canada's Emanuel Sandhu, who hardly was amazing in his qualifying group, finishing fifth.

In fact, the entire Canadian team had a banner backing it, but there was nothing similar for the U.S. squad. That did not bother American Tim Goebel.

''The crowd, even in practices, has been really good,'' he said. ''Very loud and very boisterous for all the skaters. It's nice to see that with everything going on in the world, people are still interested in what we're doing and what we've worked so hard for.''

Skaters from all countries were well-received during the men's qualifying, including those from countries opposed to the war, such as France and Russia. Skating fans have traditionally been supportive of all nationalities.

''When athletes come together from all countries, whether it be France or Russia or the United States, everybody comes together and they bond,'' Weiss said. ''Even though there's turmoil or things going on around the world, athletics will be always be there. This is a great arena for us to show our camaraderie worldwide.''

Bad timing
It's not easy getting psyched for a 10:45 a.m. performance before a mostly empty arena in a foreign country, but France's Brian Joubert piled on one more excuse for a lifeless routine that landed him in ninth place in his qualifying group.

''I did not get much sleep -- there was a fire alarm in the hotel during the night,'' said Joubert, the second skater of the entire competition. ''It has been a long season, and I am tired.''

Joubert's countryman, Stanick Jeannette, fared even worse, stumbling his way to 12th place. Both were considered possible medal contenders after winning silver and bronze at the European Championships in January. Both qualified for the short program Tuesday night.

Notes
Visa problems prevented Russian referee Alexander Lakernik from getting to the United States in time for the competition, so he was replaced for the men's event by American Gale Tanger. ... Goebel's skates didn't make it to the world championships. There was about a six-hour delay before they arrived on a different flight than the one he took from Los Angeles to Washington.