Asada heads to Vancouver after training at home

Japanese figure skater Mao Asada has been perfecting her triple axels at home ahead of an anticipated gold medal showdown with Kim Yu-na of South Korea at the Vancouver Olympics.

The 19-year-old Asada left Saturday after opting to prepare at her home rink in Nagoya unlike teammate Miki Ando, who decided to leave a week earlier.

Asada says she has been "training with one triple axel in the short program and two in the free skate."

Asada, Kim and Ando are expected to challenge for the gold when women's figure skating begins with the short program Tuesday.