USA’s Johnny Weir edged out teammate Evan Lysacek for the gold medal by just over two points, while Stephane Lambiel of Switzerland settled for bronze.
Performing to Love is War by Yoav Goren, Weir opened with a classic triple Axel-triple toeloop, followed by an equally good triple Axel, a triple Lutz, a double Axel, and a triple Salchow.
The U.S. bronze medalist also produced four more triple jumps, two level four spins, and a strong level two straightline footwork sequence.
Weir earned a new personal best of 151.98 points for first place in the long and overall with a total of 231.78 points.
The 23-year-old was very happy with his performance, citing that his new training regimen was paying off.
“It is the first time in a long time that I felt really comfortable on the ice,” said Weir. I am just so happy to be back on top.”
Lysacek, who was in first after the short, placed second in the long with 147.81 points. With a total score of 229.36, the overnight leader slipped to second overall.
The defending champion fell on his opening quadruple toeloop before underrotating and struggling with the landing of a triple Axel in his Tosca routine. He quickly recovered, however, landing a total of seven triple jumps which included a triple Axel-triple toeloop combination and a triple flip-triple toeloop combination.
“Today obviously was not my best,” said Lysacek.”It’s hard to start off with a fall, but t if there is one thing that I am proud of, it’s the fact that I tried the quad.”
The U.S. champion also delivered a very good circular and straightline footwork sequence, and all of his final spins were awarded a level four.
It wasn’t a “jump” night for Lambiel, who fell on two quadruple toeloop attempts and a triple flip in his routine to Poeta by Vicente Amigo. The Swiss champion otherwise landed three triple jumps and a double Axel.
The current World bronze medalist was disappointed about his performance.
“I couldn’t feel my body today,” said Lambiel. “It was not my day.”
Despite the jump problem, the 22-year-old displayed two very good level four spins, as well as a solid straightline footwork sequence, earning 122.02 points for third place in the long and overall (192.22 points).
Russia’s Alexander Uspenski also encountered jump problems, stepping out of a quadruple toeloop, a triple Axel, a triple Lutz, and a triple loop.
Nevertheless, the 20-year-old landed three clean triple jumps – two in combination with double jumps, and delivered two level three spins, earning 119.04 points for a fourth place finish in the long. With a total score of 179.94, the Russian moved up sixth to fifth place overall.
Jamal Othman of Switzerland, who stood in ninth after the short, placed fifth in the long and eighth overall. The 21-year-old landed a total of five triple jumps – three of which were in combination with double jumps.
Sergei Davydov of Belarus placed eighth in the long, but with a total score of 181.75 points, managed to hold onto fourth place overall.
Karl Zelenka of Italy placed seventh in the long, moving up to sixth place overall, while Canada’s Shawn Sawyer placed 10th in the long and slipped to seventh overall.
Weir (15 points) and Lambiel (11 points) will both compete in two weeks at Cup of Russia.
Lysacek earned 13 points at this event, qualifying for the Grand Prix Final with a total of 26 points.
The next Grand Prix figure skating event is Trophee Eric Bompard which will be held next week in Paris, France.
