US siblings win ice dance NHK Trophy

Japanese-American siblings Maia and Alex Shibutani grabbed their first world-class title when they won the ice dance in the NHK Trophy, the fourth leg of the Grand Prix series. Dancing spiritedly to Glenn Miller's big-band music, they on Saturday hit a maximum level-four in twizzles and a variety of lifts to score 92.83 points in the free skate. They came on top from their third spot in Friday's short dance and won the title with a combined score of 151.85 points, only 0.09 points better than second-placed Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje of Canada. Russia's 2010 world junior champions Elena Ilinykh and Nikita Katsalapov failed to hang on to their 1.76-point overnight lead over the Canadians and finished third on 149.48. The 17-year-old Ilinykh hurt her right knee when she bumped into the board during the warm-up before the free skate but managed to perform with the help of her 20-year-old partner. The Shibutanis, who finished third at last season's world championships and second at the Cup of China last week, booked their first berth in December's Grand Prix final, which brings together the top six in the six-round series. "We're excited to go to the GP final because we were the first reserve last season," said Maia, 17, partnered with her 20-year-old brother. "We think we're a lot stronger than last week," she said. "Obviously, it's still early in the season and we have a lot to build. But we're happy about where we're at now." Weaver and Poje, second at Skate Canada two weeks ago, rued losing precious one point for manoeuvering a lift for too long during their performance to the sorrowfully music of "Je Suis Malade" by Serge Lama and Karl Hugo. "We laid everything on the ice today," Weaver said. "We lost one point for an extended lift which is so frustrating but we'll be only stronger for our third Grand Prix in Russia." Each competitor can compete in two GP events and an optional third event is allowed for the seeded skaters on condition that their two best scores count toward the standings. Ilinykh and Katsalapov, making their season's debut at the NHK Trophy, danced to "Ave Maria" but each marked a low level two in their combination spin and a diagonal step sequence. "We made a good start to the season," Katsalapov said. "Our performance was not so good today but we know our goal and which way to go. So next time, we'll be much better." Ilinykh, wearing a bandage over her right knee after the competition, said she was "so proud" of her partner. "Nikita was with me all through the programme. He was taking my hand and said, 'We can do everything.'" Asked if they could have won if not for the injury, she said: "I don't think about it."