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Joubert wins World Figure Skating Champs

Brian Joubert became the first Frenchman in 42 years to win the world title by taking the men's event at the World Figure Skating Championships yesterday, while Bulgarians lead in a close ice dancing contest.

Joubert has had a long -- but victorious -- season.

"I worked a lot and I have a good team around me," Joubert said. "It was very difficult. I worked for the gold."

Joubert's free skate to cello renditions of heavy metal music had a quad and seven triples but was short of the routine he did at November's Cup of Russia, when he completed three quads.

Although third in free, he had a large lead after the short program from Wednesday. Still, his score of 240.85 points was good enough to win the title after European victories in 2004 and this year and kept him unbeaten this season in six major competitions.

"It's been a great season," Joubert said. "I did not want to win the free program but I wanted to skate a clean program."

He said he changed a second quad to a triple-triple "but it was enough to win."

The last Frenchman to win a world singles title was Alain Calmat in 1965.

Daisuke Takahashi, buoyed by the home crowd, won the free skating with a dramatic skate to Phantom of the Opera that had a quad and eight triples and was second overall with 237.95. He cried as he bowed to the audience.

"I'm just glad I didn't fall down," he said. "I really cried. I've never cried with joy like that before."

Stephane Lambiel of Switzerland, who won the world title the last two years, moved from sixth to third with his flamenco-inspired routine. He turned away from the European championships in January because of lack of motivation.

"The energy made the difference. This is the real Stephane Lambiel tonight," the Swiss said.

He did one quad in a combination but nearly fell attempting a second in a flamenco-inspired routine to finish with 233.35 and a second in free skating.

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