BEIJING, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Japan's Satoko Miyahara, the 2015 world silver medalist, won the women's gold in an event full of surprises at Bridgestone Skate America on Sunday, according to the official website of International Skating Union (ISU).
Dancing to 'Madame Butterfly,' Miyahara turned in a strong performance, finishing with seven clean triples, including a triple lutz-triple toe combination as well as level-four spins and footwork. She got a new season best of 143.31 points for a total of 214.03 points to win the gold.
"I am very happy and satisfied with today's performance and to get my best scores," said the 19-year-old. "After my injury, this is the first big step. The most important event, the Japanese nationals, are coming next month. I'll keep working hard to be able to do my best."
Kaori Sakamoto, also from Japan, took the silver medal with a total of 210.59 points, while Bradie Tennell of the United States, competing in her first senior Grand Prix event, earned the bronze with 204.10 points overall.
None of the medalists qualified for the Grand Prix Final, but Miyahara is the first substitute.
In ice dance, two-time world medalist Maia Shibutani/Alex Shibutani of the United States took the gold with a total of 194.25 points. The 2014 world champions Anna Cappellini/Luca Lanotte of Italy claimed the silver medal and the bronze went to Russia's Victoria Sinitsina/Nikita Katsalapov. Shibutani/Shibutani and Cappellini/Lanotte qualified for the Grand Prix Final.
Bridgestone Skate America was the sixth and last event in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series and provided the last opportunity for skaters to qualify for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Nagoya, Japan, in December.
The top six skaters/couples in each discipline qualify for the final. The global prize money for the Grand Prix is 272,000 U.S. dollars.
