Are you a part of the News/Talk 750 WSB VIP? Sign in or join now. Why join?
Text size: A A A
Skater Joubert of France wins NHK Trophy

By JIM ARMSTRONG
AP Sports Writer


NAGANO, Japan (AP) -- Brian Joubert of France won the NHK Trophy on Saturday, earning his first Grand Prix title of the season with a strong performance in the free skate.

Joubert, who was first after the short program, landed a quadruple toe loop at the start of his routine to strengthen his lead and finished with 232.70 points for a 15-point margin over Johnny Weir of the United States. Michal Brezina of the Czech Republic was third with 217.48 points.

Japan's Miki Ando won the women's event, overtaking American Ashley Wagner in the free skate to win her second Grand Prix of the season.

Joubert tripled a planned quad salchow for his second element and did a triple toe loop instead of a quad later in his routine.

"I want to show that I am not just a jumper but a figure skater," Joubert said. "My goal was to do three quads, but I also wanted to show good choreography and good steps."

Joubert, the 2007 world champion, finished fourth at the Trophee Bompard in Paris, but improved his chances of qualifying for the Dec. 3-6 Grand Prix final.

American Jeremy Abbott, second after the short program, had a disastrous free skate and finished in fifth place with 208.45 points.

Weir started off strong with a triple flip and a triple axel, triple toe loop combination but lost stamina as the program went on.

He doubled a planned triple toe loop and failed to do the double toe loop on the next two combination jumps.

"In the Olympic season, I wanted to show a program that is pure and from the heart," Weir said. "I was happy that I was able to do that today."

Brezina was the world junior silver medalist last season and made the podium in his senior Grand Prix debut.

"I wanted to skate a clean program as I am a new face in the senior GP series," Brezina said. "I was happy to do that today and finish on the podium."

Japan's Daisuke Takahashi, who is making a comeback after knee surgery, finished fourth with 214.29 points. Takahashi stumbled on his opening quad toe loop and fell on two elements after that.

"I was a bit tired and nervous. My mental toughness was low," Takahashi said. "I need more practice to improve my stamina."

Ando, who won the Rostelecom Cup in Russia, landed six triple jumps in her routine to Cleopatra to finish with 162.55 points. Russia's Alena Leonova was second with 160.85, while Wagner was third with 155.99.

Wagner, who was first after the short program, touched down on a triple salchow and singled a triple lutz late in her routine to fall into third place.

China's Pang Qing and Tong Jian won the pairs event with 199.65 points followed by Russians Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov with 193.05. Americans Rena Inoue and John Baldwin were third with 158.78.



Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Neither these AP material nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and non-commercial use. AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing.

Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

send to a friend  view as printer-friendly  RSS feeds
advertisement

WSB 24-Hour Weather Center
Get the 5-day Forecast .

Atlanta weather

Mostly Cloudy
55°F
5-day forecast | Hurricane Guide
advertisement

Marketplace

Cancer Wellness at Piedmont Cancer Cente
Cancer Wellness at Piedmont Cancer Center - Providing help and support to those facing cancer. Learn more.
Emory Vision
Emory Vision is the best LASIK provider in Atlanta. Learn more at our online seminar.
"How to Build Your Financial Future" Online Seminar sponsored by Associated Credit Union. Details
Georgia Cancer Specialists
Click here to view GCS's video, "Seven Things You Should Know About Breast Cancer."
advertisement
Green Home Improvement
Allan Vigil Racing Fan Frenzy
Racing Fans, play the Allan Vigil Racing Fan Frenzy now! Click here for all the details.
Resurgens Spine Center
View our webinar “The Latest In Total Joint Replacement.” Watch now
powered by AutoTrader.com Shop for cars, find a dealer, and get the latest automotive news in our Local Car Buying Guide powered by AutoTrader.com
powered by Kudzu From fast food to fine dining, find it all in our Local Business Directory .
Stay ahead of the storm. Find evacuation routes, safety tips and more in the Hurricane Guide.
News Talk 750 WSB Mobile Access
News/Talk 750 WSB wants to make sure you can access our website anytime you want from any device. Click here to find out how.
Going Green
Help do your part to save water, reduce air pollution & greenhouse emissions. Go Green!
Georgia Bulldogs Radio Network
Your online connection to the Georgia Bulldogs Radio Network team!
Read the AJC and stay on top of everything in Atlanta! Get delivery for less than $2 a week!
Join Channel 2 Action News anchors John Pruitt and Monica Pearson at 5, 6, and 11pm.