Ava Ziegler caps historic US figure skating breakthrough with shock NHK Trophy win

• New Jersey teenagers finish one-two on podium in Osaka
• Ziegler, 17, wins first Grand Prix title in second career start

Ava Marie Ziegler performed a near-flawless free skate Saturday to win the NHK Trophy and lead a US one-two finish on the podium.

Fifth after the short program, Ziegler landed all of her jumps cleanly including seven triples to score a personal-best 138.46 points in the free skate for her first title in the Grand Prix series with a total of 200.50, also a personal best and the top free skate score by an American this season.