Alexey Dengin, whose victory at last month's Cheongsong World Cup left him top of the men's lead lists with 310 points, was one of four home climbers who finished in joint first place after topping both the qualifying routes.

Dengin is joined by his compatriot currently one place below him in the overall list, Maksim Tomilov, and fellow Russians Nikolai Kuzovlev and Alexey Tomilov.

Mohammadreza Korouyeh Safdarian, who became the first Iranian to win an ice climbing World Tour gold in January and stands third overall, maintained his challenge as one of two other athletes to top route one.

Safdarian stands sixth, one place behind France's Louna Ladevant.

Meanwhile, the women's lead climbing is shaping up to reach a memorable finale after seven climbers, including South Korea's overall leader Shin Woonseon, earned joint first place in qualifying.

Shin's compatriot Song Han Na Rai, third overall, is also in the top seven, as is the Russian who stands second overall, Maria Tolokonina.

Russia provides three other joint leaders in Ekaterina Vlasova, Maryam Filippova and Mariia Edler, while Finland's Mira Alhonsuo completes the group.

Kirov is hosting a World Tour event for the first time since 2015.

Competition runs until March 4, and incorporates the European Championships.

After four of the five scheduled World Tour events, Russia dominates the overall standings, leading in three of the four categories.

Men's and women's speed qualifying starts tomorrow.