Major figure skating event returns to Beijing

A major international skating event will return to Beijing, organizers announced on Wednesday.

The World Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China will be held at the Beijing Capital Gymnasium from Nov 1-3 after being held for two years in Shanghai.

It is the third leg of the Grand Prix season. The first leg will be held in the US on Friday.

China's two-time pairs world champions Pang Qing and Tong Jian will lead the Chinese squad.

Their teammates include China's first men's singles junior world champion Yan Han, 2011 Cup of China men's singles runner-up Song Nan and women's singles rising star Li Zijun.

The Chinese team will face a strong challenge.

In the pairs competition, three-time world champions Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany will be strong medal contenders. The men's singles will include Takahiko Kozuka of Japan and Denis Ten of Kazakhstan, both runners-up in the last two world championships.

The 2012 women's singles world champion Carolina Kostner of Italy will lead the women's pool. The 26-year-old veteran will face stiff competition from two junior world champions – Adelina Sotnikova of Russia and Kanako Murakami of Japan.

In the ice dancing, French pair Nathalie Pechalat and Fabian Bourzat, and Russians Ekaterina Bobrova and Dmitri Soloviev, were bronze medallists at the last two World Championships.

Ticket prices start from 50 yuan ($8.20).

VIP tickets for Sunday's exhibition gala are 580 yuan. Fans can book the tickets on www.228.com.cn or call 4006-228-228.