Suzuki surprises with first senior Grand Prix win
Ladies turn in disappointing programs in Beijing
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| Akiko Suzuki took advantage of some subpar performances in the ladies free skate to take gold. (Getty Images) |
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Former European bronze medalist Kiira Korpi was second, with world silver medalist Joannie Rochette third. Americans Rachael Flatt and Mirai Nagasu were fourth and fifth, respectively.
The speedy Suzuki, who placed fourth at last season's Japanese Championships, took full advantage of an evening of shaky and downright poor performances. Performing to music from West Side Story, the 24-year-old opened with a triple Lutz, double toe loop combination followed by two strong double Axels done in sequence. She followed with four more triples, including a triple loop done in sequence with a double Axel.
The dynamic skater showed strong steps and fast, well-centered spins en route to a 117.14-point free skate. She finished with 176.66 points, topping her previous personal best by 10 points, and went home with her first senior Grand Prix medal, a gold.
Korpi had an inconsistent program, placing third in the free but second overall with 163.27 points. She was second in the short.
The stylish Finn had a fine triple Salchow and triple loop combinations, but several miscues on other triple jumps.
Rochette, who entered the event a heavy favorite, climbed from seventh place after the short with a lovely program to Saint-Saens' "Samson and Delilah."
The 23-year-old Canadian champion landed six triples and showed strong steps and spins, but fell on a (downgraded) double Axel. She ended with 163.18 points.
Performing a challenging program to "Rhapsody on a theme by Paganini," Flatt landed a triple-double-double combination after the halfway mark but faltered on the landings of two triples and doubled an intended triple Lutz. She earned 98.91 points and 157.71 overall.
Nagasu, who led after the short, also had some shaky landings, and five of her jumps were downgraded by the technical panel. She placed sixth in the free and finished with 155.38 points.
Bebe Liang, who like Nagasu trains with Frank Carroll in California, placed tenth with 131.39 points.
Lynn Rutherford contributed to this report.