Lambiel wins Nebelhorn Trophy, secures spot for Switzerland at Vancouver Olympics

Win puts Lambiel on track for Vancouver

OBERSTDORF, Germany — Olympic silver medalist Stephane Lambiel is a step closer to the Vancouver Games.

Making a comeback after retiring a year ago, Lambiel earned Switzerland a spot in the Olympic field Friday night with a win at the Nebelhorn Trophy. No Swiss skater had finished high enough at the recent world championships to claim one of the 24 spots available in Vancouver’s 30-man field, meaning Lambiel had to finish sixth or better at Nebelhorn.

He did that with ease, winning both the short and long programs and finishing more than 25 points ahead of Ivan Tretiakov of Russia. Michal Brezina of the Czech Republic was third and American Ryan Bradley was fourth.

Lambiel’s score of 232.36 points also puts him halfway to meeting the Swiss qualifying rules for Vancouver, which require skaters to score 195 points or better in two competitions. The two-time world champion also plans to compete in the Japan Open next month and the European championships in January.

Lambiel retired in October 2008 because of a lingering adductor (leg/hip) muscle injury that was limiting his training. He resumed training this summer, saying the pain is now “manageable.”

Two-time defending world champions Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany easily won the pairs title. Their training partners, Tatiana Volosozhar and Stanislav Morozov of Ukraine, were second, with Canada’s Anabelle Langlois and Cody Hay third. Brooke Castile and Ben Okolski, the 2007 U.S. champions, were fourth.

U.S. champions Meryl Davis and Charlie White lead the ice dance competition, while Alissa Czisny won the women’s short program. The free dance and women’s free skate are Saturday.