Japanese teen Asada wins Grand Prix Final

TOKYO – Japanese teenager Mao Asada decided to play it safe.

The 15-year-old attempted only one triple axel Saturday, but still easily beat world champion Irina Slutskaya to win the women’s title at the Grand Prix Final.

It was Slutskaya’s first loss since the 2004 world championship in March.

Asada opened her routine with a triple axel that earned more credit because of a secure landing. She then bypassed her planned second triple axel, along with a chance to become the first female skater to land two.

Asada is among a handful of skaters to land one triple axel in competition.

“I decided after warmup not to do another triple axel,” Asada said. “My coach said it was up to me, but I didn’t feel confident enough.”

Asada breezed through five more triple jumps and included seven triples and doubles in the final minute of her routine to the “Nutcracker Suite” to take a healthy lead over Slutskaya in the free skating portion, 125.24 to 122.58. Overall, she won 189.62 to 181.48.

World champion Stephane Lambiel recovered from a fall on his opening jump to land two quadruple jumps and capture the men’s title.

Russian world champions Tatiana Navka and Roman Kostomarov won the ice dance for the third year in a row.