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Joubert Takes Lead at Trophee Bompard
By SALVATORE ZANCA
PARIS - Brian Joubert took the lead at the Trophee Bompard Friday with a near-flawless short program in the men's event.
Joubert has 77.35 points at the fourth event of the Grand Prix figure skating series and is comfortably ahead of countryman Alban Preaubert, who has 71.38.
"I am very pleased. My aim was to make no mistakes," Joubert said.
No Frenchman has ever won the individual skating event in Paris since the competition started in 1986.
Joubert completed a quadruple toe loop and triple toe loop combination, as well as a big triple axel.
"I fought for the toe loop because I was off balance a little but I reacted very quickly to do the triple after it," Joubert said.
Preaubert took third at Skate America three weeks ago after coming second in the short program with an entertaining program to "Bumble-Bee Boogie."
Russian veteran Ilya Klimkin was third with 64.80 points. He was marked down after falling on his quad toe loop in the combination.
The women's short program takes place later Friday with world champion Kimmie Meissner against Miki Ando _ who beat Meissner at Skate America _ and Skate Canada champion Joannie Rochette.
Ice dance world champions Albena Denkova and Maxim Staviski of Bulgaria will also be in action. They lead after the compulsory waltz in the first part of the competition.
Winning won't be easy for Joubert.
"The problem I have is the pressure in France even if I am confident in training," he said.
The 22-year-old Frenchman won the 2004 European title over eventual Olympic gold medalist Evgeni Plushenko.
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