World champion Brian Joubert was the highlight of the men's short program Friday night, landing a quad jump at the Skate Canada International event to take the early lead in Quebec City.

For his effort, France's Joubert earned 78.05 points from the judges and teammate Yannick Ponsero finished a distant second with 67.09. Canada's Jeffrey Buttle fell during his routine, but still sits in third place (66.85).

Jeffrey Buttle fell during his program on Friday but remains in the hunt for a medal at the Stake Canada International event in Quebec City. Jeffrey Buttle fell during his program on Friday but remains in the hunt for a medal at the Stake Canada International event in Quebec City.
(Jacques Boissinot/Canadian Press)

Joubert, 23, who was the only skater among the leaders to land a quad, blew away the competition in every facet of his program.

Buttle, the Canadian champion, stumbled while doing backwards crosscuts on a circular step sequence going into a triple Lutz, sending the Sudbury, Ont., skater to the ice. It was a costly few seconds.

The 25-year-old Olympic bronze medallist missed all of the Grand Prix season last year because of a back injury.