PARIS (AFP) - US national champion Johnny Weir looks poised for his second win of the season when he lead the ISU Grand Prix figure skating event after the short program, as favourite Brian Joubert, the men`s world silver medallist from France, struggled in fourth position.
The 20-year-old from Pennsylvania, winner of the NHK Trophy in Japan earlier this month, pulled out a highly balletic routine to Rondo Capriccioso by Saint Saens to achieve a personal record score of 75.90 points.
Canada`s Emanuel Sandhu is sitting in second position ahead of Saturday`s free skating final despite tumbling twice during his routine for which he scored 65.60, with Japan`s Daisuke Takahashi third with 64.16.
A disappointing performance by Joubert saw the 20-year-old European champion fall on his second triple axel jump after stumbling on his opening quadruple-triple toeloop combination.
He scored 64.06 for his routine to the music by Blue Men Group which leaves him with ground to make up in the free skating final.
Weir, the 2001 world junior champion, opted for three triple jumps, including one in combination, but left out the quadruple which he said he has not yet decided to do consistently in competition.
"I`ve been doing the triple-triple for a few years and some people are beginning to get fed up," he said.
"But I still have some work to do on it (quad). With the new scoring system it`s beginning to count. When I want to put it in and when I`m ready I will."
He added: "I`m happy with the way today went. I think I skated better than in Japan but there are still a few things I want to improve on."
Skate Canada winner Sandhu is confident he can pull ahead Saturday.
"It`s an improvement from Skate Canada short programme. It`s not over until the fat lady sings and although I`m not fat and a lady I can sing," he added.
Takahashi, 18, who performed to Sabre Dance by Aram Khatchaturian, said: "It wasn`t my best performance. For example the step sequence wasn`t great. Tomorrow I`ll look to do what I can perfectly."
American Timothy Goebel, the Olympic bronze medallist, withdrew before Friday`s competition after picking up a stiff neck in training.
The event is the fifth round of the six-leg Grand Prix qualifying series. The final leg will be held in Moscow next week, with the Grand Prix Final in Beijing in December.

11/19/2004 - 19:00 GMT - AFP