China's Qing, Jian are NHK pairs champs
Canadian pairs finish 5th, 7th
Last Updated: Saturday, November 7, 2009 | 2:40 PM ET
The Associated Press
Qing Pang and Jian Tong of China perform in the Pairs Free Skating at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating NHK Trophy on Saturday in Nagano, Japan. (Junko Kimura/Getty Images)Thanks to a strong long program, Qing Pang and Jian Tong struck gold at the pairs event at the NHK Trophy in Nagano, Japan on Saturday.
The Chinese pair captured first overall with 199.65 points, followed by the leaders after the short program, Russians Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov with 193.05.
Americans Rena Inoue and John Baldwin were third with 158.78 points.
Mylène Brodeur of Stanbridge-Station, Que., and John Mattatall of Wallace, N.S., took fifth after sitting in sixth following Friday's short program. A fourth-best long program gained them a spot in the overall standings but the pair said they wanted to fare better.
"Overall the event went OK for us but we made little mistakes and in the end left points on the table," said Brodeur. "We came here hoping we could win a medal. We are pleased that we executed the big elements but we definitely need more consistency in our programs."
In their senior Grand Prix debut, Paige Lawrence of Kennedy, Sask., and Rudi Swiegers of Kipling, Sask., placed seventh.
"We didn't have our best skate but we are happy with the experience we gained," said Lawrence. "It's going to really help us in our preparations for the national championships (in January)."
with files from Louis Daignault, Canadian Sport News
