Mao Asada first in short program at Japan nationals

Asada tops short program at Japan nationals

OSAKA, Japan — Mao Asada posted the top score in the women’s short program at the Japan national championships on Saturday, strengthening her chances of securing a spot in the Vancouver Olympics.

Asada had a triple axel downgraded to a double but was solid throughout, receiving 69.12 points.

Yukari Nakano, who also is bidding for one of two places remaining for Vancouver, was second with 68.90 points while Miki Ando was third with 68.68.

Asada has struggled this season but said Saturday’s performance was a big step forward.

“I came here with the intention of booking a ticket to the Olympics,” Asada said. “I feel like I’ve cleared one hurdle and hope to carry this momentum into the free skate.”

The 19-year-old Asada finished a disappointing fifth at the Rostelecom Cup in Moscow in October and second at the season-opening Trophee Bompard, won by South Korea’s Kim Yu-na. Asada failed to qualify for this month’s Grand Prix finals in Tokyo, another event won by Kim.

Asada’s last win was at the 2008 Japan nationals.

“I got a lot of support from the fans today,” Asada said. “It’s been a while since I got a standing ovation.”

Ando already has earned a place in Vancouver by finishing second at the GP finals. She had planned a triple lutz, triple loop to open her routine but went with a triple, double instead.

“My goal here is to enjoy this event,” Ando said. “I wanted to do the triple, triple to open today and was a bit disappointed I couldn’t do that.”

Assuming Asada earns a place in the Olympics, the third and final spot likely will come down to a race between Nakano and Akiko Suzuki, who was fourth in the short program with 67.84 points.

The 2010 Olympic team will be selected on Sunday following the women’s free skate.