Amber Glenn survives fall to win first Grand Prix figure skating title

Amber Glenn overcame a fall and her own doubts to win her first Grand Prix figure skating title at the Grand Prix de France on Saturday.

American skater Glenn had the lead from Friday’s short program. That and the crowd’s support helped her through a tough free skate in which she fell on a triple somersault and put a hand on the ice to steady herself on two other jumps.

“I didn’t feel great today, but I really tried and the crowd really helped me through the last half when I was doubting myself,” Glenn said. “The crowd was very strong and very encouraging, so I really fought for everything I could.”

Glenn had the third best score of the day in the free skate, but it was enough to win overall with a total of 210.44 points, ahead of Japanese skaters Wakaba Higuchi, who won at Skate America last month, and Rion Sumiyoshi.

South Korea’s Kim Chaeyeon had finished second in the short program but fell to fourth place overall on Saturday, one place ahead of 17-year-old American skater Sarah Everhardt, who was making her Grand Prix debut.

The men’s, ice dancing and pairs competitions conclude later Saturday.