FCC 2015 - Comebacks and Legends in the Making (Pairs Highlights)

The pairs' competition is bringing back on ice two accomplished skaters who decided to keep going after last season despite early reports claiming they wouldn't. Yes, I'm talking about two of China's greatest: Qing Pang & Tong Jian. But how will they fare against their younger country men and, especially, against the record-breaking Meagan Duhamel & Eric Radford?

  • THE SHORT PROGRAMME

Pang/Tong's tango routine
Photograph: Chung Sung-Jun /
Getty Images Asia
Qing Pang/Jian Tong decided to return to competition because the Worlds will be organised by their homeland this season. For the short, they prepared a selection of tangos which stands out by being romantic rather than passionate. They are dressed impeccably, as always, her in a fiery red dress and him in a dashing vest and tie ensemble. Technically though, he puts a hands down on the triple Toeloop and they can't keep their side-by-side spins in unison. Their score: 66.87.

Meagan Duhamel/Eric Radford have reached that point in their careers when they are unbeatable. Pair that up with innovation, of which they have loads, and you'll end up with a couple who will make history, I'm sure of it. They can do no wrong today on Un peu plus haut. They get 75.67 points.

Cheng Peng/Hao Zhang make no errors in the jumps today. I'm glad to see she's getting better at controlling her nerves. They do however lack unison in the side-by-side spins. Their song is Pyotr I. Tchaikovski's Arabian Dance. Their score: 69.81.

The short dance ends with the Canadians leading, followed by Peng & Zhang, then Wenjing Sui & Cong Han. Will the standings remain the same after the final?
  • THE FREE SKATE
Meagan Duhamel/Eric Radford often choose to use their music to transmit their own emotions and dreams, so I can't help but feel that this Muse medley is set to do exactly that. It's about the sacrifices you have to make for the sport, their drive to win and the certainty that they will as Matthew Bellamy sings "We will be victorious." Just a problem here: they both mess up the side-by-side triple Lutzes. They get 143.81 points. Overall: 219.48.

The winners, Meagan Duhamel & Eric Radford
Photograph: David Ramos / Getty Images Europe
Just when I thought Cheng Peng/Hao Zhang were over their jump issues, she messes up every single side-by-side jump. They're still artistically fantastic though. I particularly like the bit in the step sequence where he seems to be chasing her, while she struggles to keep him at bay. Their score: 131.64. Overall: 201.45.

Qing Pang/Jian Tong have always skated on classical versions of classical music, so I have to say it is a pleasant surprise to see them choose a song with lyrics. Of course, Io Ci Saro by David Foster would lose a bit of its glorious feel without the words, and I'm happy that they saw it too. She also has issues with the side-by-side jumps, but in her case, I'm sure it's due to bad luck. They get 133.12 points. Overall: 199.99.

Thus the pairs' free skate concludes with the technically unreachable Duhamel & Radford winning the gold medal, China's Peng & Zhang scoring a silver medal, and the experienced Pang & Tong having to settle with the bronze. Congratulations to all of them.

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