23. Cheng Peng/Yang Jin CHN
2017 World Team Trophy short program
There was, of course, another pair that came out of the Great Chinese Pair Switcheroo of 2016. And as strong as Xiaoyu Yu/Hao Zhang were this season, the transformation really goes to their less heralded teammates, Cheng Peng/Yang Jin.
By many accounts, Yu/Zhang got the "better" deal out of the switcheroo on paper. Yu got one of the strongest male pair skaters around and Zhang got the more consistent skater in Yu. But while Yu/Zhang's pairing produced the more dynamic pair, Peng/Jin's pairing was all chemistry. They brought out of each other an incredible spark and personality that was really a breath of fresh air.
Having Yu/Zhang and Wenjing Sui/Cong Han on the scene for the Chinese pairs, it would have been really easy for Peng/Jin to disappearance in their shadows. But as the season went on, they really made it known that they were here to play. This short program at World Team Trophy was the perfect example. Enjoy!