FRANCE:

Japanese teenager Ami Nakai shocked teammate and big favourite Kaori Sakamoto to win her first title at the Grand Prix de France on Saturday as Japan swept the women's podium.

Nakai, 17, competing in her first season on the senior circuit, extended her lead from Friday's short programme to seal victory with her free skate to Lexi Walker's 'What a Wonderful World'.

Despite a hand on the ice on her triple Axel jump, Nakai scored a combined 227.08 points for her two routines, putting her 2.85 points ahead of three-time world champion Sakamoto.

"I came here aiming for a podium, so when I saw the score and realised I was first, my brain froze and stopped working and then the tears came flowing," Nakai said.

"My coach was sitting beside me and patted my back and then I realised ever

See Full Page