QUEBEC CITY -- Finland's Laura Lepisto won the women's short program in Skate Canada, finishing with 59.18 points Friday night.
American Emily Hughes, ninth in the 2007 world championships, was second at 58.72, and 17-year-old Japanese skater Mao Asada was third at 58.08.
The free skate is Saturday.
In the men's short program, France's Brian Joubert topped the leaderboard at 78.05 and countryman Yannick Ponsero was second at 67.09. American Scott Smith was eighth at 56.09.
Earlier, world bronze medalists Alion Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany won the pairs short program with a score of 69.44. Canadian champions Jessica Dube and Bryce Davison were second at 63.12 going into the free skate Saturday.
In ice dancing, Canada's Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir grabbed a big early lead by earning 36.25 points for their Yankee Polka compulsory. Italians Anna Cappellini and Luca Lanotte were second at 32.23.