TOKYO — World champion Evan Lysacek was edged out by Japan’s Daisuke Takahashi for first place in the men’s short program, while Aspen native Jeremy Abbott placed fifth at the Grand Prix final Friday night.
Miki Ando of Japan finished first in the women’s short program, taking advantage of a rare mistake by world champion Kim Yu-na.
Americans Meryl Davis and Charlie White won the ice dance event after finishing first in the free dance with 169.44 points.
Takahashi, making a comeback from a right knee injury, opened with a triple-flip, triple toe loop combination and completed all his jumps en route to a season’s best score of 89.95, one-tenth of a point better than the American. Nobunari Oda of Japan was third with 87.65 points.
“I’m pleased to get such a high score,” Takahashi said. “But I’m not completely satisfied, as the steps and the spins were a bit rough.”
Lysacek was equally impressive, hitting four triple jumps to open his routine to Stravinsky’s “The Firebird.”
“This was a good warm-up for me,” Lysacek said. “I’ve been working hard to overcome the barrier of 85 in the short program and was pleased I could do that tonight.”
Johnny Weir of the United States was fourth with 84.60 points, followed by Abbott with 76.65. Tomas Verner of the Czech Republic was sixth with 70.17 points.
The men’s event concludes with the free skate today.
