The ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Final began on Thursday in Vancouver, with the Chinese pair of Peng Cheng and Jin Yang hoping for a successful return after missing out last year.

After the season's series, which featured six events, the pair came into Thursday's action ranked fourth, having picked up two silvers on the way. Other pairs include Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres of France, along with Russia's Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov, and Natalia Zabiiako and Alexander Enbert. Nicole Della Monica and Matteo Guarise will be the first Italian duo to feature.

The coach for the Chinese pair, Zhao Hongbo, has teamed up with a Canadian choreographer to help put together a new arrangement for Peng and Jin.

Zhao Hongbo said: "They were not in a good shape after the competition in Japan. Peng Cheng twisted his right foot a week ago by accident when he was doing ground exercises. Except for the injury, other aspects are all fine. They have been performing well in training."

For the younger Chinese duo, returning to the finals is a precious opportunity. Peng said: "The skating rink is almost the same as home and the feeling of training has not changed much. The only difference is that this venue is a bit small. Our coach didn't give us too much pressure. He just told us to be fearless and fight."