Miki Ando wins 2009 Rostelecom Cup of Russia

Miki Ando from Japan captured the gold medal at the 2009 -2010 Rostelecom Cup of Russia in a exciting finish to the ladies event. After the short program, Julia Sebestyen from Hungary was in first place, followed by Alissa Czisny from the U.S. and then Miki. But the free skate proved pivotal and Miki's consistent triples pulled her ahead of the pack. Great news for Ashley Wagner from the U.S., who climbed from fifth after the short to win the silver medal. Alena Leonova from Russia rounded out the podium with a bronze medal and an effusive skate to Chicago. A big surprise for Japan's Mao Asada, who just can't seem to find her groove yet this season. She finished fifth overall and please lord, let her see the light and stop going for the triple axels.

Final results for ladies at 2009-2010 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series - Rostelecom Cup of Russia:

FPl	Name	Nat	Points	SP	FS
1	Miki ANDO	JPN	171.93	3	1
2	Ashley WAGNER	USA	163.97	5	2
3	Alena LEONOVA	RUS	160.06	4	3
4	Alissa CZISNY	USA	158.30	2	4
5	Mao ASADA	JPN	150.28	6	5
6	Julia SEBESTYEN	HUN	148.50	1	7
7	Amelie LACOSTE	CAN	139.39	7	8
8	Jenna MCCORKELL	GBR	134.70	11	6
9	Oksana GOZEVA	RUS	128.52	8	9
10	Katarina GERBOLDT	RUS	117.77	9	10
11	Annette DYTRT	GER	109.74	12	11
12	Anastasia GIMAZETDINOVA	UZB	108.46	10	12

Below is Miki's free skate to Cleopatra which she debuted on September 26 at the Stars, Stripes and Skates ice benefit.

Comments

[Caseddy]

abandoning the triple axels would not have been the way to go for Asada