BEIJING, Nov. 7 -- With a new routine played out to the sound of With the Riding on the Wings of Songs, China's star figure skating pair Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao led the pairs event at the Cup of China in Beijing on Thursday. Costly mistakes put veteran teammates Pang Qing and Tong Jian third at the event, the third stop on this season's ISU Grand Prix series, held at Capital Indoor Gymnasium.

The two Zhangs rounded off a smooth short program with a score of 67.12 to lead the seven pairs.

"We just did our normal performance and we are satisfied with the result," said Zhang Dan. "But I wasn't very relaxed since it was the first competition and our performance was not perfect. We will try to do better in the free staking tomorrow."

Tatiana Volosozhar and Stanislav Morozov of Ukraine trailed the reigning world silver medalists with 60.34 points and the injury-riddled Pang and Tong came third with 59.36. Another young Chinese couple, Zhang Yue and Wang Lei, squeezed into fifth.

Russia's Oksana Domnina (left) and Maxim Shabali perform their ice dancing compulsory routine during the ISU Figure Skating Cup of China yesterday in Beijing. Yang Shizhong Pang and Tong never looked likely to defend their Cup of China title despite throwing out a new routine to surprise fans. Pang stumbled while landing a triple throw and the 2006 world champions dropped points by finishing just out of synch with the music.

"We didn't do well in several technical elements today," said Tong. "Pang sprained her ankle during a training session before the start of the season and the injuries reduced our confidence on the ice."

【体坛英语资讯：Zhangs set ice alight at Cup of China】相关文章：

★ 体坛英语资讯：Sharapova rescues Russia, Davenport upstaged

★ 体坛英语资讯：Li storms to victory in Aussie hardcourt final

★ 体坛资讯：Spanoulis insists his Rockets days over

★ 体坛资讯：Iraqi fans stock up on petrol and ammunition

★ 体坛英语资讯：Federer back on track, Roddick into semis

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Emotional Jackie Chan buries father in Australia

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Paris Hilton defamation lawsuit settled

★ 体坛英语资讯：Mourning career likely over after knee injury

★ 体坛英语资讯：Pierce: Go out and play basketball on street

★ 娱乐资讯：Germany bans Cruise film from military sites