German pair triumphs in short programme at Beijing Grand Prix

The pair representing Germany came in first at this season's Grand Prix Finland and the NHK Trophy, and scored 72.56 points on Thursday at their first Grand Prix Final after a technically challenging routine. The German Hase and Russian Volodin beat Canada rivals Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps, who came in second with 71.22 points. Deschamps and Stellato-Dudek, who at 40 was the oldest athlete on Thursday, entered the competition top-ranked after victories at Skate Canada and Cup of China.