Brian Joubert of France won the NHK Trophy Saturday, capturing his first Grand Prix title of the season with a strong performance in the men's free skate. Joubert, who was first after the short program, landed a quadruple toe loop at the start of his routine to strengthen his lead and finished with 232.70 points for a 15-point margin over second-placed Johnny Weir of the United States. Michal Brezina of the Czech Republic was third with 217.48 points. Japan's Miki Ando won the women's event, overtaking American Ashley Wagner in the free skate to win her second Grand Prix of the season. Joubert tripled a planned quad salchow for his second element and did a triple toe loop instead of a quad later in his routine. Joubert, the 2007 world champion, finished fourth at the Trophee Bompard in Paris, but improved his chances of qualifying for the Dec. 3-6 Grand Prix final. American Jeremy Abbott finished in fifth place with 208.45 points. China's Pang Qing and Tong Jian won the pairs event with 199.65 points followed by Russians Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov with 193.05. Americans Rena Inoue and John Baldwin were third with 158.78 points.
