Miriam Manzano has finished in eighth place in Skate America, the opening event of the International Skating Union Grand Prix series.

Manzano was in seventh position after the short program, separating world championship top 12 placegetters Elena Liashenko of the Ukraine and Susanna Poykio of Finland.

But Poykio skated superbly to take first place in the free program, climbing above Manzano on the overall placings and relegating the Australian to eighth place.

The event was won by United States skater Angela Nikodinov, from Canadian Cynthia Phaneuf and US team-mate Miki Ando.

Ando, the world junior champion, led the event after the short program, but slumped to sixth place in the free skate.