Canadian ice dancers Fournier Beaudry, Soerensen lead at NHK Trophy

Canadians Laurence Fournier Beaudry  and Nikolaj Soerensen lead the way in the ice dance competition at the NHK Trophy in Sapporo, Japan.

The duo scored 85.66 in the rhythm dance to stay just ahead of American counterparts Madison Chock and Evan Bates (85.00).

Competition continues later Friday, which streams live on CBCSports.ca and on CBC Gem.

Canadian pairs skaters Brooke McIntosh and Benjamin Mimar are in third place after the short program.

McIntosh and Mimar had a score of 62.31 points to sit just behind Americans Emily Chan and Spencer Akira Howe, who had the second-best showing with 64.62 points.

WATCH l McIntosh, Mimar grab 3rd place:

Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara of Japan had 78.25 points to secure the lead.

WATCH l Miura, Kihara of Japan hold lead:

In the men's event, Japan's Sota Yamamoto has the lead after the short program, scoring 96.49 to stay ahead of fellow Japanese skater Shoma Uno (91.66). Canada's Stephen Gogolev is ninth, with 69.01 points after the short.

South Korea's Kim Ye-Lim leads the women's event with a score of 72.22,.

WATCH l Asher Hill previews NHK Trophy: