Three-time world champion Nathan Chen of the United States claimed his first Skate Canada International men's Grand Prix title Saturday in Vancouver, while Japan failed to secure a podium place.
Japanese competitors Sota Yamamoto and Keiji Tanaka finished seventh and 10th, respectively, out of a strong men's field of 12 skaters at Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.
Chen, whose three-year, 10-event win streak was snapped at Skate America last weekend, won the men's event with 307.18 points. Compatriot Jason Brown was second with 259.55, and Russia's Evgeni Semenenko was third with 256.01.
"I got my motivation going again for the free skate, but the insecurities were still there. I didn't train enough for the two jumps in the first half (of the program). But I skated better in the second half and that's an improvement for me," Yamamoto said.
Later on Saturday, Kamila Valieva led a podium sweep for Russia in the women's event, topping the standings in both the short and long programs, and winning with a world record 265.08 overall score. Elizaveta Tuktamysheva and Alena Kostornaia went 2-3.
Mai Mihara finished fourth for Japan's best result, scoring a personal best 210.01. Mihara, who found herself in seventh place after the short program, pulled up to third in the free skate. Her previous best total score was 209.22, set in September 2018.
"I am filled with emotion after wrapping up my performance in the best way possible. I just thought about doing my very best. This makes me really happy. I will think that every day is a test and keep working hard," Mihara said.
Also for Japan, Wakaba Higuchi was sixth and Mana Kawabe was ninth.
Skate Canada is the second of six Grand Prix Series events this season. The Grand Prix Final in mid-December will feature the best six skaters or teams from each discipline.
The national bodies will name their Olympic teams for the Beijing Games after the national championships in late December and early January.
