Bad Start at Sochi for U.S.

The U.S. got off to a bad start in the opening round of the new team figure skating event at the Sochi Olympics.

Jeremy Abbott of the United States falls while competing in the Figure Skating Men's Short Program during the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics (Clive Mason/Getty Images)

The Americans are tied for fifth in total points after the men and pairs short programs. However, the U.S. is ranked seventh out of 10 teams when tiebreakers are factored in. Only the top five countries advance to the free skate. Russia has the lead.

Falls and botched jumps from U.S. champions Jeremy Abbott and the pairs team of Marissa Castelli and Simon Shnapir hurt the Americans chances.

The U.S. hopes to gain ground in the women and ice dance short programs. Meryl Davis and Charlie White are the reigning world champs in ice dance.

The opening ceremony for the Winter Olympics is today.