Third place at the last World Championships event in Budapest two months ago allowed Australia’s Matthew Hall to take a two-point lead at the top of the overall standings.

Hall, who won the second and third events of the season in Canada and China, has 45 points, with Michael Goulian of the United States, winner of the season’s opening race in Abu Dhabi and fourth in Budapest, second on 43.

Victory in Budapest moved Martin Sonka of the Czech Republic up to third place on 34.

In near perfect air racing conditions today, Hall set the track record in the first free practice session, with Juan Velarde of Spain topping the second free practice with the second fastest time of the day.

Both pilots said how much they liked the 2018 Kazan track, telling redbull.com that it was a great track to fly and completely different from last year's race.

In the first free practice, Hall was the last pilot into the track and knew the time to beat was 52.703 seconds, set by Velarde.

An uncharacteristic pylon hit by Hall in his first run meant he needed to refocus, which he did instantly with a sensational second run time of 51.761, nearly a second faster than his Spanish rival.

The early evening second session was Velarde's with a time of 52.016.

Hall was closest to Velarde this time round with 52.054.

Action continues tomorrow afternoon with the Qualifying session.