Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov clinched the pairs title in Marseille ©Getty Images

Russians Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov clinched the pairs title today at the International Skating Union (ISU) Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Marseille.

The duo did not win an event during the Grand Prix season - finishing second at the Trophee de France in Paris and third at Skate America to advance to the Final as one of the top six couples.

They led after yesterday's short programme, however, and were in fine form again today in the French city, producing a season's best free skate of 135.25 points - the best anyone managed.

That gave them a combined total of 213.85 on top of the standings.

The other two medal positions switched places as China's Xiaoyu Hu and Hao Zhang climbed from third spot into second.

Evgenia Medvedeva leads at the halfway stage of the women's event ©Getty Images
Evgenia Medvedeva leads at the halfway stage of the women's event ©Getty Images

That was at the expense of Canadians Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford who finished third. 

The women's competition also began today with Russia's 17-year-old world champion Evgenia Medvedeva leading after the short programme with a score of 79.21.

She is in front of Canada's Kaetlyn Osmond, on 75.54, and Satoko Miyahara of Japan on 74.64.

On the first day of the ice dance competition, Canada's Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir scored 80.50 points to lead after the short routines.

American brother and sister team Maia and Alex Shibutani lie second on 77.97 with France's home skaters Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron third on 77.86.