Despite a severe downgrade on a triple axel, Mao Asada skated brilliantly to claim the second World title of her career. Skating to the "Bells of Moscow" by Rachmaninoff, the 2008 World Champion opened with a triple axel and then reeled off a triple axel/double toeloop combination, but the axel was deemed to not have sufficient rotation and this cost Asada almost five points. The rest of the performance was foot perfect with the four-time Japanese champion completing four triples, three Level 4 spins and a Level 4 spiral step sequence. Asada scored 129.50 points for her FS which was the second best mark of the night and 197.58 points to win gold. The Japanese finished second in both segments of the event which also happened when she won her first World title in Gothenburg in 2008.
As in Sweden two years ago, Yu-Na Kim beat Asada on the FS, but again the 2010 Olympic Champion had to settle for a lesser medal. Kim began her "Concerto in F" by George Gershwin programme with a triple lutz/triple toeloop combination and successfully landed three other triple jumps in her routine. However, she came a cropper when she fell on a triple salchow and popped a double axel attempt meaning that she received no credit for the element whatsoever. Nevertheless, the Korean scored an impressive 130.49 points for her FS and 190.79 points in total to pull up from seventh place to achieve her first ever World silver medal.
Laura Lepisto could only finish sixth in the FS, but managed to hold on to bronze. The 2009 European Champion commenced her tango programme with a strong triple toeloop/triple toeloop combination and a triple lutz, but she doubled a triple loop twice and a triple salchow once. However, her strong spinning ability and skating skills helped her score 114.32 points for her FS and 178.62 points overall to win Finland's first ever singles medal at a World Championships.
The ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2011 will take place in Tokyo, Japan.
