It was a long wait last night but well worth it to have the chance to see both the ultimate Gold and Silver medallists skate their pair free programs.

The Pair event overall was on the weak side and filled with mistakes with the exception of one team who was flawless and another who was pretty darn close.

China’s 2006 World champions, Qing Pang and Jian Tong were in fourth place heading into last night’s competition and had the crowd on its’ feet even before their music ended. They won the free program and their first Olympic medal, a silver.

Three-time world champions, two-time Olympic bronze and now Olympic champions from China, Xue Shen and Hongbo Zhao seemed maybe a little cautious but were still strong enough to take the title. They were sentimental favourites heading into the Olympics to be sure but I don’t think anyone could have anticipated their command of the ice and their overall strength. Putting Xue down in a lift early and having a slight bobble out of a jump were both Hongbo’s errors but were not enough to compromise their almost 6 point advantage over Pang and Tong. Their brilliant choreography supplied by Lori Nichol just sweetened their advantage.

The two-time World champions from Germany, Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy earned the bronze and were what I would call OK. Some mistakes; some highlights; not enough to have me really remember their Olympic program in the way I was hoping to.

Canadian champions, Jessica Dube and Bryce Davison seemed a little off. Not what you would call a bad skate but starting from 6th place after the short program meant they were going to have to hit one out of the park in order to have a chance at a medal and that didn’t happen.

After a season’s best score and a brilliant start to their Olympics in the short program, Canada’s national silver medallists Anabelle Langlois and Cody Hay also faltered in the free.

Pj’s Podium Picks?

Shen/Zhao GOLD

Pang/Tong SILVER

Savchenko/Szolkowy BRONZE

Nailed it! 🙂

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