Plushenko not yet home and dry: Cousins

Evgeni Plushenko of Russia reacts after his routine in the men's short programme figure skating competition at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics February 16, 2010.

VANCOUVER (Reuters) - With two high-scoring quads planned for Thursday's free skate, Yevgeny Plushenko has been strutting around Vancouver with the air of a man who already has the men's figure skating gold medal in the bag.

Former Olympic champion Robin Cousins, however, believes the cocky Russian may not have things all his own way.

"Plushenko thinks he's got it, I know he wants it but they all want it the way they were performing last night," Cousins, the 1980 Lake Placid winner, told Reuters on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old Russian showman held a captive audience at the Pacific Coliseum on Tuesday when he was the only skater to land a quadruple toeloop-triple toeloop.

That combination earned him a whopping 14.80 points just seconds into his pulsating routine but Cousins feels the 2006 champion will need more than just the eye-catching jumps to win the top prize.

"Plushenko is in fantastic form. He knows he's got the ability to do it technically but can he do enough to stave off the likes of (second-placed Evan) Lysacek and (Stephane) Lambiel in the component marks?" said the 52-year-old Briton.

"You've got people like (third-placed Japanese Daisuke) Takahashi who was my favorite in the short program. He was absolutely dynamic and wonderful in all aspects of the performance. To say we're excited is an understatement."

Cousins said he has not been surprised by Plushenko.

"Plushenko was never not going to deliver the big tricks," he said. "If you've got nerves of steel... you use them to your advantage.

"A true Olympian is somebody who can not only do the big jumps, and make the tricks and be a very worthy spinner but also do it in such a way that it's beautiful and pleasing to watch."

Cousins is certain that whether or not the Russian becomes the first man in almost six decades to win back-to-back Olympic titles on Thursday, he has already sealed his place among the sport's greats.

"I was never necessarily a huge fan because I thought his arrogance was a bit too much," he said. "The confidence is unbelievable and you can't but admire it when it is backed up by such brilliant technique."

(Editing by Ed Osmond)