Chinese pair Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo celebrated an impressive comeback to the ice arena by winning the season’s ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating . . .

China’s Shen Xue (R)/Zhao Hongbo perform during pairs free skating competition of 2009-2010 ISU World Figure Skating Grand Prix Final in Tokyo, captial of Japan, December 5, 2009. Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo won the gold medal with a total of 214.25 points. (Xinhua/Ren Zhenglai)

“I came to the ice with a lot of energy today,” Zhao said, adding “after finishing the triple toe loop and double axel plus double axel, I began to have the feeling that our show time started.”

Shen and Zhao were three-time world champion and five-time champion of the Grand Prix Final. They quit the ice in 2007 but came back this season to complete their medal selection in the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, 2011.

“We feel very happy to win the champion again in the Final, but the Olympic gold medal is the only attraction to keep us on the ice,” Zhao said.

The second-placed pair, Pang and Tong, were less ambitious in regards of the Olympics. “Our goal is to win a medal. We have competed in the Winter Games for three times but went home empty-handed. If this time we can win a medal we would be happy enough,” Zhao added.

The Final groups the top six skaters from six stops, including Canada, Japan and China.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet