Japan duo dominates short program
Source: Agencies |
December 5, 2009, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
JAPAN'S Daisuke Takahashi finished first in the men's short program at the Grand Prix final in Tokyo yesterday, edging American Evan Lysacek.
Takahashi, making a comeback from a right knee injury, opened with a triple-flip, triple-toeloop combination jump and completed all his jumps en route to a season's best score of 89.95, one tenth of a point better than Lysacek. Japan's Nobunari Oda was third with 87.65 points.
"I'm pleased to get such a high score," Takahashi said. "But I'm not completely satisfied as the steps and the spins were a bit rough."
Lysacek, the reigning world champion, was equally impressive, hitting four triple jumps to open his routine to Stravinsky's Firebird.
Takahashi was No. 1 in the world when he injured his right knee in practice just over a year ago. With damage to the anterior cruciate ligament and cartilage, he had to forego the 2008-09 season to have major surgery.
Takahashi skated in a tuneup event in Finland in October but his first major event was the NHK last month in Nagano.
"After the NHK and Skate Canada, I realized I needed to skate with more emotion and I was able to do that tonight," Takahashi said.
Johnny Weir of the United States was fourth with 84.60 points followed by fellow American Jeremy Abbott with 76.65. Tomas Verner of the Czech Republic was sixth with 70.17 points.
Japan's Miki Ando finished first in the women's short program, taking advantage of a rare mistake by world champion Kim Yu-na.
Ando opted for a triple lutz, double loop combination instead of a planned triple-triple on her opening element but successfully completed the rest of her program to finish with 66.20 points.
South Korean Kim opened her James Bond medley with a triple lutz, triple toeloop combination but singled a triple flip on her second element and finished with 65.64 points.
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