CHANGCHUN, China, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Famous Chinese figure skating pair Peng Cheng and Jin Yang made a perfect season debut at the National Championships as they led the pairs short program here on Saturday.
Dancing to the music of Alegria, Peng and Jin delivered a clean short program and scored 76.85 points. Tang Feiyao and Yang Yongchao, who just moved to senior competition, ranked second in 61.90. Liu Jiaxi and Xie Zhong were third in 56.59. Veteran Zhang Hao and his partner Yu Xiaoyu fourth in 55.83.
"It's a long time since our last competition," said Peng, who missed the podium and took fourth at the Saitama Figure Skating World Championships earlier the year. "It is our season opener, so we need more time to make it better."
Dancing to the music of Opportunity, China's promising skater An Xiangyi, 12, ranked first in the lady's short program. She landed a triple lutz-triple toeloop, a double axel, and a triple flip. Despite a minor mistake in the first jump, An finished her program smoothly. She earned 66.50 points to lead the SP. Chen Hongyi took second in 61.97, while Cao Qijing third in 54.60.
"Compared with older skaters, I still need to improve my exhibition," said An, who cannot compete in the 2022 Winter Games due to her young age. "I am not too disappointed about the Olympic Games, as I can take part in other competitions. I just want to skate."
In the men's competition, Zhang He took first in the short program with 85.08, while veteran Yan Han trailed in 83.03. Wang Yi ranked third in 69.83.
"I came back to the rink because I missed it," said Yan, who took a rest last season. "I also want to compete at the Beijing Olympic Games, which will be my third Olympic Games. It's a good chance to take part in the Olympic Games at your home, so I want to have a try."
Ice dance pair Wang Shiyue and Liu Xinyu led the rhythm dance with 75.35. They skipped the China Figure Skating Club League earlier the season and just made their debut here Saturday.
The National Championships runs from September 11 to 15 and serves as a qualifier for the National Winter Games.
