Japan's Satoko Miyahara started the 2018 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series on a winning note Sunday after claiming the Skate America title for the second year in a row.

Miyahara's 145.85 points in the women's free skate put her on top of the podium two days running at the Angel of the Winds Arena, following her first place finish in the short program on Saturday. She earned a two-day total of 219.71 and picked up her third Grand Prix victory.

"I was nervous during the performance, so I'm glad," Miyahara said. "The best thing was that there wasn't a lack of turns in my jumps at this tournament."

Japan's Kaori Sakamoto repeated as runner-up with 142.85 in the free skate and 213.90 overall, while Russia's Sofia Samodurova solidified her spot in third.

Marin Honda, who finished fourth in Saturday's short program, placed ninth in the free skate and ended eighth overall to round out the Japanese competitors at the three-day season opener.


[ISU/Getty/Kyodo]