Canada's Jeff Buttle took a big step toward returning to the podium at the world figure skating championships on Friday, taking top spot in the men's short program in Goteborg, Sweden.

The 25-year-old native of Smooth Rock Falls, Ont., had a technically brilliant skate to receive 82.10 points. American Johnny Weir was second with 80.79 while Japan's Daisuke Takahashi was third with 80.40. Tomas Verner of the Czech Republic was fourth with 79.87.

Jeff Buttle put himself in position for his second world championship medal with a technically brilliant short program Friday in Goteborg, Sweden.
(Ivan Sekretarev/Associated Press)

Buttle skated impeccably, landing a gorgeous triple flip-triple toe loop combination and scoring top levels for all of his spins.

"I felt so comfortable out there. I felt like I couldn't make a mistake," said Buttle, who was slowed by a back injury last season.

Stephane Lambiel of Switzerland, the 2005 and 2006 champion, was fifth with 79.12, and 2007 winner Brian Joubert of France was sixth with 77.75.

Buttle won world silver in 2005 and Olympic bronze in 2006. He slipped to sixth at the last two world championships, and lost his Canadian title to Patrick Chan in January.

Chan, a 17-year-old from Toronto who was making his first appearance at worlds, finished seventh in the 45-man field on Friday.

The free skate — the last of the competition's two legs — goes Saturday. It can be seen live on CBC Country Canada and CBCSports.ca at 7:50 a.m. ET.

With files from the Canadian Press