Shen, Zhao grab easy Tokyo win
Source: Agencies |
December 6, 2009, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINESE pair Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo celebrated an impressive comeback to the ice arena by winning the season's ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating final with a record-breaking combined points tally of 214.25 in Tokyo yesterday.
Shen and Zhao scored a rare 138.89 for their "Adagio in G Minor" in the free skate, beating compatriots Pang Qing and Tong Jian, who scored 201.86.
Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany were third with 200.38 points.
"I came to the ice with a lot of energy today," Zhao said. "After finishing the triple toe loop and double axel plus double axel, I began to have the feeling that it was show time for us."
Shen and Zhao were three-time world champions and five-time champions in the Grand Prix final. They quit the ice in 2007 but came back this season to complete their medal collection at next year's Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.
"We feel very happy to win the championship again in the final, but the Olympic gold medal is the only attraction that is keeping us on the ice," Zhao said.
The second-placed pair, Pang and Tong, were less ambitious with regard to the Olympics.
"Our goal is to win a medal. We have competed in the Winter Games three times but went home empty-handed. If this time we can win a medal we would be happy enough," Tong revealed.
World champion Evan Lysacek won the men's crown, becoming the second straight American to capture the title.
In the women's event, Kim Yu-na of South Korea made it a clean sweep for world champions, coming from behind to win the free skate to claim her third GP title in four years.
Season's best
Lysacek, who was second entering the free skate, received a season's best 249.45 points to finish ahead of Nobunari Oda of Japan, who was second with 243.36. Johnny Weir of the United States was third on 237.35 points.
American Jeremy Abbott, who won the GP title last year, was fourth with 235.38 points. Daisuke Takahashi of Japan, who was first after the short program, dropped to fifth after an error-filled free skate.
With yesterday's win, Lysacek improved his chances of making the US team for the Vancouver Olympics.
"In the last Olympics I was young and really excited," Lysacek said. "I've learned a lot in the past four years and want to take the experience I have gained and put it all into effect in Vancouver."
The top six skaters in the regular season GP standings qualify for the final.
Kim, who was second after the short program, landed four triple jumps to finish with 188.86 points.
"I'm still not completely satisfied my performance," Kim said. "My jumps weren't perfect but I will use the experience I gained here to build for the future."
Japanese skater Miki Ando, first after the short program, was second with 185.94 points, while teammate Akiko Suzuki was third on 174.
Oda and Ando both wrapped up Olympic berths.
Shen and Zhao scored a rare 138.89 for their "Adagio in G Minor" in the free skate, beating compatriots Pang Qing and Tong Jian, who scored 201.86.
Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany were third with 200.38 points.
"I came to the ice with a lot of energy today," Zhao said. "After finishing the triple toe loop and double axel plus double axel, I began to have the feeling that it was show time for us."
Shen and Zhao were three-time world champions and five-time champions in the Grand Prix final. They quit the ice in 2007 but came back this season to complete their medal collection at next year's Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.
"We feel very happy to win the championship again in the final, but the Olympic gold medal is the only attraction that is keeping us on the ice," Zhao said.
The second-placed pair, Pang and Tong, were less ambitious with regard to the Olympics.
"Our goal is to win a medal. We have competed in the Winter Games three times but went home empty-handed. If this time we can win a medal we would be happy enough," Tong revealed.
World champion Evan Lysacek won the men's crown, becoming the second straight American to capture the title.
In the women's event, Kim Yu-na of South Korea made it a clean sweep for world champions, coming from behind to win the free skate to claim her third GP title in four years.
Season's best
Lysacek, who was second entering the free skate, received a season's best 249.45 points to finish ahead of Nobunari Oda of Japan, who was second with 243.36. Johnny Weir of the United States was third on 237.35 points.
American Jeremy Abbott, who won the GP title last year, was fourth with 235.38 points. Daisuke Takahashi of Japan, who was first after the short program, dropped to fifth after an error-filled free skate.
With yesterday's win, Lysacek improved his chances of making the US team for the Vancouver Olympics.
"In the last Olympics I was young and really excited," Lysacek said. "I've learned a lot in the past four years and want to take the experience I have gained and put it all into effect in Vancouver."
The top six skaters in the regular season GP standings qualify for the final.
Kim, who was second after the short program, landed four triple jumps to finish with 188.86 points.
"I'm still not completely satisfied my performance," Kim said. "My jumps weren't perfect but I will use the experience I gained here to build for the future."
Japanese skater Miki Ando, first after the short program, was second with 185.94 points, while teammate Akiko Suzuki was third on 174.
Oda and Ando both wrapped up Olympic berths.
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