ANGERS, France (Kyodo) -- Japan's Wakaba Higuchi topped the free skate but finished runner-up to overall women's individual winner Amber Glenn of the United States at figure skating's Grand Prix de France on Saturday.

Rion Sumiyoshi placed second in the free skate to clinch bronze and ensure there were two Japanese skaters on the podium at the Angers ICEPARC.

Higuchi totaled 206.08 to finish 4.36 behind first-time Grand Prix victor Glenn, who won the short program and placed third in the free skate. Sumiyoshi scored 201.35, while Japan's Mai Mihara was seventh on 174.93.

Combined with her breakthrough Grand Prix title last month at Skate America, Higuchi's latest result ensures her place at December's Grand Prix Final, contested by the top six finishers in the six-event series.

"I was able to perform exactly as I practiced. It's given me a lot of confidence for the next competition," said Higuchi, who was third in the short program in Angers.

"After the Grand Prix Final, there is not much time left until the Japanese national championships (in late December). I want to perform calmly, as if I were in practice."