Amber Glenn defended the women’s Cup of China title with a 214.78 following the free skating on Saturday (25 October).
The triple Axel-wielding figure skating star from the United States shot up from third in the shorts to the top of the podium with a long-skate score of 141.74 in Chongqing, coming within a point of her personal best total.
Glenn edged out US team-mate and overnight leader Alysa Liu, who was second on the night with a 137.46 to tally 212.07.
World champion Liu was followed by Watanabe Rinka in third (198.63), the Japanese beating out Anastasiia Gubanova of Georgia by less than a point for bronze thanks to what she had left over from the short program.
A year ago, the 25-year-old Glenn began her banner season with victory at the same competition and managed to reproduce the feat once again.
Glenn overcame discomfort in her neck, something she says she developed in practice, to begin the Olympic Grand Prix campaign with a solid outing.
“Today was not too bad, but it was a bit hard for me. I did something to my neck in practice, so it’s all bruised and feels weird,” Glenn told Golden Skate.
“I can’t really move my head too far over my shoulder. I told my coach during warm-up that if I came near someone, he should shout – it was quite scary. But don’t worry it’s not an injury, I think it will be okay.
“I did have some pain when I finished my performance, and going back into the lay-back was hard. I missed a level on it. Because I couldn’t move my head the way I wanted, it also reflected in my components, since I wasn’t able to perform the way I normally do.
“But I’m really proud that I stayed mentally strong today.”
