Joubert back to top form at the NHK Trophy

FRANCE'S Brian Joubert was back to his very best at the NHK Trophy in Nagano, Japan and leads the way after the short program.

BACK ON TOP: Brian Joubert returns to top form in Japan at the NHK Trophy (Getty Images)

The 25-year-old former world champion collected 85.35 points after nailing a quadruple toe loop and is currently sitting pretty atop of the leaderboard ahead of the USA's Jeremy Abott and Johnny Weir, currently second and third respectively.

Joubert has endured a difficult start to the season and had to settle for fourth place on home ice at the Trophee Bompard in Paris but he was over the moon to find his form in Japan.

"I'm very happy because my first Grand Prix was difficult," said Joubert. "I was very disappointed with the result [in Paris] so it was important for me to get a good result today and for the rest of this competition.

"It was very important for me to do this kind of programme and it has made me very confident for the rest of the competition."

Abbott currently has 83.00 points while compatriot Johnny Weir has 78.35.

In the women's event, the USA's Ashley Wagner is setting the pace after the short program, edging out Japan's Miki Ando.

The 18-year-old world junior bronze medallist secured 56.54 points a fraction more than Ando, who is on 56.22 while Japan's Yukari Nakano is third on 54.92.

"First place is a good place to be but it wasn't my best performance," Wagner said. "My double axel was downgraded but hopefully I can do it cleanly tomorrow in the long program."

American pair Meryl Davis and Charlie White were first after the compulsory dance, and Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov of Russia topped the pairs short program.