Knierim, Frazier clinch first pairs worlds title for US since 1979

MONTPELLIER, France -- Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier took the first pairs' title for American skaters at the World Figure Skating Championships in more than 40 years in Montpellier on Thursday.

In the pairs free skating event at the Sud de France Arena, the American duo posted their personal best of 144.21 points and totaled 221.09 to claim the gold, in a competition that did not feature the top five finishers from the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games.

After topping the short program on Wednesday, the 2021 American national champions maintained their form in the free skating, finishing a triple twist, triple toe-double toe and triple Salchow to Coldplay's "Fix You" to hit 144.21 points.

"So many emotions I can't even explain it - so much gratitude, fulfillment, excitement, disbelief - it was magical! In the moment, it was living a dream that Brandon and I always sought after but never knew it would actually be possible and we want to live in this moment for a long time," Knierim said.

"I couldn't have asked for a better way to end the season. For Alexa and I, this was such a personal journey since we teamed up. For us to finish the season on this kind of program, that means so much to us. I've dreamed about this moment so many times but this is even better," Frazier added.

Fellow Americans Ashley Cain-Gribble and Timothy Leduc, second after the short program, had to withdraw as Cain-Gribble fell three times during their performance and reportedly suffered an injury.

Skating to "Women" by Shawn Philips, Japanese duo Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara earned 127.97 in their free skating to hit a combined 199.55 to take the silver, with a score that would have placed them only eighth at the Winter Olympics last month.

"We secured the medal but I don't think our performance was worth winning a medal today. We regret our performance today, so next season I want to push ourselves hard and we want to practice hard," Miura commented.

The 20-year-old struggled with her solo jumps during their performance and fell on the throw triple loop, but a third-place finish in the segment was enough to secure them a silver medal.

Canada's Vanessa James and Eric Radford ranked second in the free skating with a score of 130.78, jumping from fifth after the short program to third with a total score of 197.32.

"It feels like everything is coming together just when we needed to. We fought until the end. We didn't just fight. We didn't just think of the elements. We really performed and we really felt comfortable on the ice, it felt at home," said James, who has been paired with Radford for just one season.

"I look back on this year as one of the best years of my life. It was one of the most incredible journeys and experiences that I've had thus far in my life and I'm so in gratitude," Radford added.

"I'm 37 years old, and after everything that I have accomplished in my career, to come back and experience in this sport, and experience in a totally different and amazing way, I have to thank Vanessa. I just can't thank her enough for giving me this opportunity for this experience."

Earlier in the afternoon, three-time Olympic medalist Shoma Uno led Japanese skaters to a top three finish in the men's short program.

Beijing 2022 silver medalist Yuma Kagiyama took second place with Kazuki Tomono following in third.