Monday, Nov. 23, 2009

KITCHENER, Ontario (Kyodo) Daisuke Takahashi won the men's free skate to finish second at Skate Canada on Saturday and Akiko Suzuki placed fifth in the women's event as both earned spots at next month's Grand Prix Final in Tokyo.

Free as a bird: Daisuke Takahashi won the free skate at Skate Canada but finished second behind Jeremy Abbot in the overall standings on Saturday. KYODO PHOTO

Second after the short program, Takahashi produced a sparkling performance in the free skate and earned a total of 231.31 points to finish behind Jeremy Abbott of the United States.

Abbott, last year's Grand Prix Final winner, scored 232.99 while third place went to Frenchman Alban Preaubert with 212.28 points.

Takahashi said he feels he is gradually rediscovering his form after missing the whole of last season due to major surgery on his right knee.

"I am relieved to make the Grand Prix Final," said Takahashi, who finished fourth on his Grand Prix comeback at the NHK Trophy earlier this month.

"This is my third event since my comeback and I feel that I am steadily improving. I won't be thinking about anything too much at the final and will just try to use the event to take another step forward."

In the women's program, Suzuki could only manage 147.72 points but qualified for the Grand Prix Final thanks to her surprise victory at the Cup of China in Beijing in October.

"I am happy to make the final but at the same time am a bit embarrassed to qualify with a result like this," said Suzuki, who was eighth after Friday's short program.

"I want to make sure I don't waste this chance that I have been given," she said.

World silver medalist Joannie Rochette of Canada held onto her lead in the short program and scored a commanding victory with 182.90 points. American Alissa Czisny was a distant second in 163.53 with Finland's Laura Lepisto in third with 158.52.

Also representing Japan in the men's program at the Dec. 3-6 Grand Prix Final will be Nobunari Oda. Suzuki joins Miki Ando in the women's event.

Oda and Ando have both won two Grand Prix events this month. Last year's Grand Prix Final winner Mao Asada has failed to qualify for the event that offers the highest Japanese podium finishers a place at next February's Vancouver Olympics.

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