Japanese Miki Ando became World Champion on saturday. Kimmie MEISSNER and Katy TAYLOR were second and third.

The Ladies were the last ones to determine their champion. Miki Ando of Japan captured the title after winning the bronze in 2002 and the silver in 2003 at Junior Worlds. Americans Kimmie Meissner and Katy Taylor, who both competed for the first time at Junior Worlds, took the silver and bronze medals in The Hague.

Miki Ando
Performing to Igor Stravinski's “Firebird”, Ando hit her opening triple Lutz-triple loop combination and then went for the quadruple Salchow. She landed forward on this jump, but she didn't let the mistake affect the rest of her program and completed two double Axels, a triple toeloop-double toeloop combination, and a triple flip, she only struggled with the triple loop.

The 16-year-old received marks from 5.4 to 5.8 for both technical merit and presentation. “I'm very happy. I was able to keep my concentration throughout the competition and therefore I was able to perform very well today. I'm pleased with this development”, the Japanese Champion said. “The quadruple Salchow wasn't important for this competition, but it was important for the future. It was important for me personally to try it.”

Meissner
Meissner opened her program to “Pines of Rome” with a triple flip and a triple Lutz-triple toeloop combination, but the second jump appeared underrotated. The 14-year-old went on to complete a triple Salchow, loop, and two double Axels, but she two-footed her second triple Lutz and popped the Salchow.

Her marks ranged from 5.1 to 5.7 for technical merit and from 5.2 to 5.7 for presentation. She moved up from third place after the Short Program. “It's very exciting to be on the podium today”, the US Junior Champion said. “I came in to be in the top ten and then I ended up on the podium.” Referring to the popped Salchow, she commented: “I lost my focus, I guess. At the very end of my program I was so happy after I landed my second Lutz. I think I just made a mistake.”

Taylor
Taylor put out a good program to “America the Beautiful” that featured nice spins, a triple flip, a triple Lutz-triple loop sequence and a triple loop as well as a triple Lutz-double toeloop combination right at the end of her routine. However, the 14-year-old also made a few errors, she had to overcome a fall on her double Axel early into the program, later she stepped out of the triple toeloop and Salchow.

Her marks went up to 5.7 for both technical merit and presentation.

“My goal also was to place in the top ten. So to have the bronze medal to take home is really cool”, Taylor said. “My performance was probably one of my better ones. My double Axel was kind of scary, but I put it out of my mind and I went on. I'm happy with it.”

Mai Asada and Aki Sawada
Mai Asada and Aki Sawada completed a strong showing of the Japanese Ladies by placing fourth and fifth with good performances.

read results...