SEOUL, South Korea -- Local favorite Kim Chae-yeon of South Korea won the Four Continents figure skating competition with a near-flawless free skate Sunday to prevent an American sweep of the podium.
Kim, who led after the short program, produced a season's best score of 148.36 in the free skate to finish with a total of 222.38 points.
Bradie Tennell of the United States also had a season-best free skate with 137.80 points and was second with a score of 204.38.
American Sarah Everhardt was third with 200.03 points, edging out compatriot Alysa Lu who was fourth with 198.55.
Skating to "Whisperers from the Heart" and "Love Dance," Kim was the last skater to take the ice. She started her routine with a double axel and added six clean triple jumps to bring the hometown crowd to its feet.
"I was a little nervous because I wanted to show my best for the home crowd, and I am glad I was able to do that," Kim said.
Defending champion Mone Chiba, who was second after the short program, struggled with her free skate and dropped to sixth place with a total of 195.08.
The 19-year-old Japanese skater started off well with a triple flip, triple toe loop combination but fell on her triple salchow and on the triple flip.
Skating to "Nessun Dorma," Tennell, who is coming off an ankle injury, opened with a triple lutz, triple toe loop combination and then added five more triple jumps.
"I was really happy with my performance today because it's been a long time since I've given a performance like that," said two-time U.S. champion Tennell, who moved up from fifth place.
"With all the struggles of the last few years, it was a very satisfying moment to finish a program and feel such joy after skating," Tennell added. "There's been a lot of frustration and tears this season and the past few seasons."
Everhardt's free skate featured seven triple jumps including her opening triple lutz.
"It's my first ISU Championship," said the 18-year-old Everhardt. "It's a fun experience being in a big event, learning from the event and learning how things work. And I'm glad I was able to fight and show a good performance here."