Action begun today at the ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships in Neuchâtel in Switzerland ©ISU Figure Skating/Twitter

Russia's Team Crystal Ice Junior topped the short programme standings as action begun today at the International Skating Union (ISU) World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships in Neuchâtel in Switzerland.

Last year's bronze medallists scored 79.44 points to give themselves an advantage of 2.98 over another Russian outfit, two-time defending champions Team Junost Junior, going into tomorrow’s free skating at the Patinoire du Littoral venue.

A further 0.67 points back in third place is the United States' Team Skyliners Junior, the 2018 silver medallists.

Finland's Team Dream Edges Junior are fourth with 75.71 points, while the US's Team Starlights Junior are fifth with 70.83.

Completing the top six is Finland's Team Fintastic Junior with 69.39 points.

A total of 23 teams representing 18 ISU members have been entered for the fifth edition of the Championships, which was a biennial event before becoming annual from 2017.

The short programme consisted of six required elements.

The free skating contains a maximum of 10 elements.