Shen/Zhao: We have done our best

By Lei Lei (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-02-15 13:22

VANCOUVER, Canada: With clean and emotional performances to the music of “Who Wants to Live Forever”, China’s veteran pairs figure skaters Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo started their fourth Winter Olympic Games journey with a spectacular opening on the Valentine’s Day, as they refreshed their score of the short program again with 76.66 points, leading into the free skating on Monday.

China’s Pang Qing/Tong Jian and Zhang Dan/Zhang Hao finished the fourth and fifth respectively.

Although drew to skate the very first of all the 20 pairs, which is always considered as a bad draw for figure skaters, the three-time world champions and two-time Winter Olympic bronze medalists maintained their leading position to the end.

“I’m very excited and had no nervousness,” said the 36-year-old Zhao, the oldest athlete among the Chinese delegation in Vancouver Games.

“We are very glad that we have done our best performances here today. The good performances is the good Valentine’s Day present for each other ... We will continue to give our best tomorrow in the free skate.”

His wife partner Shen admitted a little nervous physically, but was also excited about the good opening.

“I’m not nervous psychologically, but my body is a little bit tight,” said Shen. “We have paid much attention to the details of the routine. We felt very good today.”

German reigning world champion Aliona Savchenko/Robin Szolkowy finished the second with 75.96 points, followed by Yuko Kavaguti/Alexander Smirnov.