SAPPORO, Japan (AP) — With two of her biggest rivals on a sabbatical, two-time world champion Mao Asada of Japan is aiming for a confidence-boosting win to open her figure skating season at this weekend’s NHK Trophy.
With archrival Kim Yu-na of South Korea sitting out the season and world champion Miki Ando of Japan also taking the year off, Asada would appear to have a clear path to another world title, but will need to overcome a recent spell of inconsistency.
The NHK Trophy is the fourth event of the 2011 International Skating Union’s Grand Prix series.
