Consistent Wagner holds off Bell to take Skate America victory

Sitting in first place following the short programme, American Wagner delivered just a few minor faults in her free skate, enough to earn her a score of 126.94 for a total of 196.44 ahead of Bell and Japan's Mai Mihara in third.

It proved just enough to take top spot on the Skate America podium, but not before a resurgent effort from Bell – someone the German-born Wagner shares a coach with.

In Rafael Arutunian, both Bell and Wagner have gotten used to the same voice in their corner, but now came their chance to share a podium too – despite being confirmed as competing in the Grand Prix just 11 days ago after an injury to Angela Wang.

That was despite the 20-year-old Bell heading into the free skate in sixth place in just her second Grand Prix event, delivering one of the skates of her career to top the discipline with a score 130.67, finishing with 191.59 from her weekend.

"I'm very, very proud of my performance," Bell said.

"My goal this season has just been to continue to improve on my personal best. I haven't really been thinking too much about results or placements, but being on the podium is very exciting."

Wagner, meanwhile, boasts a little bit more experience than her compatriot, with this her fifth Grand Prix gold and 16th medal overall, but still admitted there was a sense of relief at getting over the expectation.

"I came in with a new set of nerves that took some work to handle and I handled them as gracefully as I could in the free skate, so I'm happy with what I did," said Wagner.

"It would be amazing to have great long programmes every single time. But sometimes you have programmes like that, where they're not bad but they keep you in check with where you are and what you need to work on so I think the way that I have trained this summer definitely got me through that programme."

Sportsbeat 2016