Japan’s Mao Asada rose to the top of the senior World podium for the second time in her career while reigning Olympic champion Yu-Na Kim of Korea rallied from seventh to capture the silver medal. Finland’s Laura Lepistö made history by capturing the bronze, the first medal for a Finnish singles skater at the World level.

Skating second in the final flight, Asada opened her dramatic program to “Bells of Moscow” with a solid triple Axel. As in the short, her second triple Axel in combination with a double toe loop was downgraded but other than that it was smooth sailing for the 2010 Olympic silver medalist. Asada scored 129.50 points for the free skate and earned 197.58 points to take her second global title in three years.

“I’m satisfied with this competition and it is a relief after the Olympic Games,” Asada said. “I’m so happy to be here today. I’ve trained so hard to do the triple Axel perfectly. I think that Europe is a lucky place for me. Next year the World Championships are in Japan and I think this is a good start to the new season.”

Kim rallied back following a disappointing short program that left her in seventh place. The 2009 World champion put down a strong performance to “Concerto in F” by George Gershwin executing strong jumping passes, difficult spins and complex footwork. Despite falling on the triple Salchow and popping a planned double Axel Kim edged out Asada to win the free skate with 130.49 points. Her overall tally of 190.79 moved her into second place and Kim collected her fourth medal in as many consecutive appearances at the World Championships.

“I’m very happy with the silver medal. It is my first silver medal at the World Championships and I won the free skate,” the 19-year-old said. “My short program was not good, but I’m happy that I was able to overcome the difficulties."

Skating to a medley from “Adios Nonino” and “Fuga y Misterio,” Lepistö nailed a triple toe-triple toe combination and a triple Lutz, but doubled the edge jumps (loop and Salchow). The 2010 European silver medalist earned valuable points for her strong spins. Her free skating score of 114.32 points was ranked sixth, but overall she held on to third with 178.62 points.

“Today I did the hardest elements very well, but I’m very annoyed about the easier ones. They are not difficult for me,” Lepistö admitted. “I’m so happy, I can’t express it.”

Japan’s Miki Ando moved up from 11th after the short to fourth, executing six triples in her free skate and ranking third in that segment. She scored 177.82 points overall. Cynthia Phaneuf from Canada placed fifth with 177.54 points while hometown favorite Carolina Kostner was sixth with 177.31 points.

Mirai Nagasu from the U.S. won the short program but experienced technical issues in her free skate and fell to seventh.

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