Japan's Mone Chiba, who took a bronze medal at this year's world championships, won the women's short program on Friday at Skate Canada.

The 20-year-old from Kyoto scored 72.29 points in her ISU Grand Prix season debut to seize the lead in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

American Isabeau Levito, last year's women's world runner-up, was second on 71.80 with Italy's Lara Naki Gutman third on 68.11.

Japan's 17-year-old Ami Nakai, who stunned compatriot Kaori Sakamoto to win her first Grand Prix title in France in October, placed fourth on 66.55.

Germany's Minerva Hase and Nikita Volodin, two-time Grand Prix Final champions and two-time world podium finishers, topped the pairs short program with a score of 77.53 points.

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