VANCOUVER, Canada - - Each of America's women skaters have something to prove at the World Figure Skating Championships. Each began proving herself in qualifying.

Many would ask what questions five-time national champion and three-time world winner Michelle Kwan has left unanswered. But for someone as accomplished as Kwan, there seemed to be a myriad of doubts.

Such as:
- Can she do a triple-triple combination in competition?
- Can she beat Irina Slutskaya of Russia, who has won three of the last four major events in which both skated?
- Can she can win a world championship in an odd-numbered year?

Kwan, the 1996, '98 and '00 world winner, got off to a good start late Wednesday night by winning her qualifying group. She did it despite a broken boot in warmups that made her a bit apprehensive before her performance.

So Kwan spent nearly two minutes stroking around the ice to make sure the repaired boot was comfortable. It was, and she soared past the competition.

"I felt easygoing," she said. "It's the qualifying round. I felt prepared for this."

As did Sarah Hughes, the 15-year-old rising star of U.S. skating who is trying to show she belongs with the elite. Hughes was a solid second to Kwan in their group - Slutskaya won the weaker Group B earlier in the day - even though Hughes used a technically scaled-down program.

"I was skating the best I have all season before I got here," said Hughes, who was a strong third at the Grand Prix finals after an impressive runner-up finish to Kwan at nationals. "This year, I've learned how to pace myself and what to do in the programs."

Hughes still landed six triples, although none in combination, something she knows "will be necessary" in the free skate Saturday.

"I never like to put too much importance on one competition," said Robin Wagner, Hughes' coach, "and she's already had a strong season. But it's important for her confidence level to see where she stands for next season."

Angela Nikodinov never has stood anywhere near the top of the international charts. She was 12th at the '99 worlds, then ninth last year.

But using the momentum of a fine performance at nationals, she was third in qualifying. Anything similar the rest of the week and, suddenly, the United States could have three strong contenders at the Salt Lake City Olympics.

Behind the trio at worlds is a contingent of American teen-agers ready to leap right past anyone who falters.

The men's free skate was held Thursday, with Russia's Yevgeny Plushchenko leading American Todd Eldredge and three-time defending champion Alexei Yagudin of Russia.

The original dance also was held Thursday.