TOKYO - China's former world pairs champions Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo lifted their sixth figure skating Grand Prix Final title Saturday, sealing a return to form as they chase a hitherto elusive Olympic gold medal.

With a 2.2-point lead from the short programme on Friday, the husband and wife team skated to "Adagio in G Minor" by Tomaso Albinoni to earn 138.89 points in free skating for a combined total of 214.25.

Although Zhao singled the first of two double axels in a sequence following an opening side-by-side triple toeloop, the pair went on gracefully hitting level four in spins and spirals.

Fellow Chinese and 2008 world champions Pand Qing and Tong Jian finished second with 201.86 points, moving up from an overnight fourth spot with 133.82 in the longer programme to the music of "Impossible Dream" by Joe Hisaishi.

Reigning world and European champions Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany dropped from second to third spot as Savchenko stepped out of the second jump of an opening two-triple toeloop sequence to finish with 200.38 points.

"We are very much satisfied as our training paid off," said Zhao, 36, who married Xue and then retired after they won their third world title in Tokyo in 2007. "I feel I'm full of energy."

The Chinese pair, bronze medalists in the last two Winter Games, have returned to competition this season to chase China's first-ever Olympic figure skating gold medal in Vancouver next February.

"We have taken one event at a time. I hope this momentum will carry us on to the Olympics," he said.

They booked a berth in the elite final competition by winning the Cup of China and Skate America.

The Grand Prix Final brings together the top six finishers by points in each category from the six-event ISU (International Skating Union) Grand Prix series in October and November.

Each skater or duo can enter two events.

Shen, who turned 31 last month, told the cheering crowd at the Yoyogi Gymnasium: "I am happy if you all enjoyed our programme today. I hope you will stay in front of television and cheer for us during the Olympics."

The pair previously won the final title in 1998, 1999, 2003, 2004 and 2006.
Ukraine-born Savchenko and Szolkowy were unable to maintain the momentum from their win in the last Grand Prix two weeks ago in Canada.

"Our performance wasn't like we wanted to skate. I don't know why," said Szolkowy, 30, adding the long journey from Canada to Japan via Germany could have been a factor.