Figure skating: Chinese pair lead

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-11-10 14:21

Chinese Pair Shen/Zhao list top at Grand Prix short program. World champions Shen Xue/Zhao Hongbo from China stood first in the pairs short program as the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series China leg started Thursday in Nanjing Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium.

Chinese pair Shen Xue(L)and Zhao Hongbo make an acknowledgement after the first day match during ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series China leg.Shen/Zhao stood first in the pairs short program. [Xinhua]

The Pairs short program which started second after Ice dancing (compulsory dance) and ahead of the Ladies short program has drawn almost all spectators' focus.

Zhao said:" We performed quite satisfactorily since my ankle wounds have recovered about 80-90 percent. However, the wounds still affect a bit."

He expressed their deep appreciation for the audience supports all through the performances.

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Pang Qing/Tong Jian, another Chinese pair ran second in the short program.

The compulsory dance of Ice dancing started first today ended with Oksans Domnina and Maxim Shabalin, a Russia pair with 36.86 points.

And the U.S. girl Emily Hughes listed first ,with a score of 56.74, in the Ladies short program.

The China Cup is a part of ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series. In the past three years, Chinese Skating Association held three series events and a final successfully.

The events make Figure Skating become more and more popular in Beijing and other main northern cities in China. The China Cup 2006 is held in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province of China.