PARIS, Nov. 17 -- Chinese pair of Peng Cheng and Jin Yang were positioned fifth after short program at the International Skating Union (ISU) Grand Prix Figure Skating Internationaux de France in Grenoble on Friday.

Internationaux de France, penultimate stop of this season's ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix, has attracted a total of 58 skaters/couples from 15 ISU members.

Dancing to "Mr. and Mrs. Smith", Peng and Jin collected 62.40 points, and were provisionally ranked fifth after short program.

Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov of Russia sat atop eight pairs with 77.84 points. Local figure skaters Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres were second with 73.18 points, with Italy's Nicole Della Monica and Matteo Guarise third at 70.65.

Frannce's Gabriella Papadakis/Guillaume Cizeron, two-time world champions, looked set to lift up the trophy, and secure their tickets to the Final as they set a personal-best score of 81.40 points following spectacular performances.

"It was a lot of fun to perform to these great audiences today and we're very happy with our points. It's our season best and we're confident about our improvement. There is still a lot of room for improvement, but we're very happy tonight," Cizeron told ISU website.

"We knew that our weak point was often the technique in short dance and we worked a lot on it this summer," added his partner Papadakis.

The French pair have already won Audi Cup of China in Beijing two weeks ago. A top finish on home soil will secure their spots in the Final.

【体坛英语资讯：Chinese figure skating pair Peng/Jin rank fifth after short program in France】相关文章：

★ 体坛英语资讯：Striker Ronaldinho to be on injury list six weeks

★ 体坛资讯：Japan beat Australia through penalty shootout to reach Asian Cup semis

★ 体坛英语资讯：From dark horse to freestyle favorite

★ 体坛英语资讯：James throws up more bricks, Celtics win 89-73

★ 体坛英语资讯：Hingis dope tests may never be revealed

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Jamie Lynn Spears says shes pregnant

★ 体坛英语资讯：Henin glad to shed Williams sisters fear factor

★ 体坛英语资讯：China beats Poland in womens basketball friendly

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Hollywood actors union, studios extend contract talks to avoid strike

★ 体坛英语资讯：Olympic torch relay in Muscat concludes