HELSINKI (AP) — Olympic figure skating champion Yuzuru Hanyu started his Grand Prix season with a commanding victory by almost 40 points at the Helsinki round on Sunday.
With a 13-point lead from Saturday’s short program, the Japanese skater scored 190.43 points in the free skate to win with a total score of 297.12.
Hanyu executed four quadruple jumps including a quad toeloop-triple axel combination, though with some less-than-perfect landings, to an ecstatic reception from the crowd. Flowers and stuffed toys cascaded onto the ice after his skate.
Experienced Czech skater Michal Brezina was second with a 257.98-point total for his second Grand Prix silver of 2018.
South Korea’s Cha Junhwan earned a second bronze this year with 243.19.
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