Vanessa James built on the momentum of recent success by getting off to a positive start in the French Elite Skating Championships.

Competing alongside Morgan Cipres, the duo, who represent France, got off to a blistering start at the Vaujany Ice Rink, leading at the conclusion of the Pairs Short Programme with a score of 82.70 points.

It comes off the back of a mesmerising performance to take pairs victory at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating in Vancouver, British Columbia, earlier this month.

James, whose father Kevin is Bermudian, was born in Ontario, Canada but lived in Bermuda until the age of ten when her family moved to Virginia. During her time on the island she attended Mount St Agnes. Her twin sister Melissa is also a figure skater.