Double world champions Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron were in fine form in Paris ©Getty Images

France's double ice dance world champions Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron were by far and away the best pair in action at the latest leg of the International Skating Union (ISU) Grand Prix of Figure Skating which began today in Paris.

The duo won their first world title in Shanghai in 2015 before defending it in Boston this year, and they were in fine form as the short dance opened the Trophée de France competition on their home ice today.

They were awarded 78.26 points by the judges after a fine routine, to open up a commanding lead before tomorrow's free dance.

Second placed Russians Elena Ilinykh and Ruslan Zhiganshin finished someway adrift on 68.72 points, with Americans Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue currently in bronze medal position with a tally of 66.77.

Aliona Savchenko and Bruno Massot lead the pairs competition ©Getty Images
Aliona Savchenko and Bruno Massot lead the pairs competition ©Getty Images

In the pairs competition, the leaders after the short programme are Germany's Aliona Savchenko and Bruno Massot, who were awarded 77.55.

Two Russian pairings follow behind them, with Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov sitting in second on 76.24.

Natalja Zabijako and Alexander Enbert are in bronze medal position on 71.36.

In singles action, Spain's double world champion Javier Fernandez leads the way after his short programme score of 96.57.

Nathan Chen of the United States is second on 92.85, with Kazakhstan's Denis Ten third on 89.21.

Another world champion, Russia's Evgenia Medvedeva, leads the women's competition on 78.52 points ahead of Canadian Gabrielle Daleman who has 72.70.

Maria Sotskova, another Russian, has a tally of 68.71 to sit third.