OBERSTDORF, GERMANY – Nobunari Oda won his second straight title at the Nebelhorn Trophy on Saturday, easily beating junior world silver medalist Jason Brown.
Oda finished with 262.98 points, more than 34 in front of the American.
Jeremy Ten of Canada, who has been battling injuries for much of the last four seasons, was third.
In dance, American pair Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue claimed the title by winning the free dance.
Ksenia Monko and Kirill Khaliavin of Russia were second while short dance winners Alexandra Paul and Mitchell Islam of Canada dropped to third.
The Nebelhorn Trophy was also the final qualifier for the Sochi Winter Olympics.
Israel, Romania, the Philippines, Australia, Ukraine and Italy got the final six men’s spots while China, Turkey, Australia, Japan and Spain will round out the field in ice dance.
Reigning junior world champion Elena Radionova made a triumphant debut at the senior level by winning the women’s title a day earlier in commanding fashion.
The Russian finished with 188.21 points, more than 25 points in front of two-time world champion Miki Ando. This was the first competition in two years for Ando.
American Ashley Cain was third.
Ando coached by Rizzo
Kyodo
Former world champion Miki Ando, who placed second in her competitive comeback after 2½ years off the ice, revealed on Saturday she is being coached by Italian Valter Rizzo.
Ando, who gave birth to a baby girl in April, is aiming for a spot on Japan’s team for the Sochi Olympics but she needs to compete at the national championships that double as a final Olympic qualifier in December.
“My body is getting used to competition again. I’m finally at the goal line,” said Ando a night after coming second at the Nebelhorn Trophy. “Honestly, I don’t have that much time but I want to do my best to catch up,” she said.
Reeds earn Sochi spot
Kyodo
Japanese ice dance siblings Cathy and Chris Reed secured a berth for the Sochi Winter Olympics at the Nebelhorn Trophy on Saturday.
The Reeds were battling it out for one of five remaining Olympic berths at this event and they qualified when they moved top with four Olympic-chasing pairs left to perform their routines.
They finished seventh overall in the competition with 126.97 points.
“I can’t put into words how (I) feel about going to the Olympics again,” said Chris Reed.
Cathy added, “We have had so much support from our coach, our family and fans. This really is a great feeling.”
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