Chinese duo shine in ISU Figure Skating GP final

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China's Peng Cheng and Jin Yang have stormed into first place at the Figure Skating Grand Prix final in Vancouver, following a career-best 75.69 points in the pairs' short program.

Their emphatic performance to “Ophelia,” showing personality and clean elements, has made them the team to beat for gold ahead of the closing free skate event in the west coast city of Canada.

Peng and Jin were the only Chinese duo to qualify for the final. They began their routine in synchronized rhythm as they made their way around the rink, before heating things up with a triple loop that earned their first ovation at the UBC Thunderbird Sports Center.

China's Peng Cheng (R) and Jin Yang perform during the pair's short program at the figure skating NHK Trophy in Hiroshima, Japan, November 9, 2018. /VCG Photo

The Harbin natives also excelled with their throws and spins, to highlight a segment that was polished with remarkable precision.

Their rotations stood out in particular, and the judges rewarded the pair with 42.29 points for their grade of execution, and 33.40 for their program components, leaving them on top of the standings ahead of the free skate.

Russia's Natalia Zabii-ako and Alexander Enbert grabbed the second spot, followed by compatriots Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov.

“Tonight we did it and we are happy,” Jin said of the Chinese pair as they struggled this season to execute clean programs.

He added, “First time we went to the final, we didn't do very well since we made some mistakes. This time, we made sure that we could do our best.