European ice dance bronze medallists Sinead and John Kerr opened their season with a comprehensive victory as they defended their title at the Finlandia Trophy in Finland.

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The brother and sister double act - one of Great Britain's top medal prospects for next year's Winter Olympics - led from start to finish as they gave a glimpse of the routines they hope will deliver in Vancouver.

Russia's Anastasia Platonova and Alexander Grachev claimed second, more than 15 points behind the Kerrs, while Ukraine's Alla Beknazarova and Vladimir Zuyev completed the podium.

Great Britain's Phillipa Towler-Green and Phillip Poole were sixth overall, dropping one place after their free skate.

Meanwhile, Jenna McCorkell produced a stunning free skate to claim a fifth place finish in the women's event.

The six-times British figure skating champion showed no ill-effects from a heavy fall during Saturday's short routine, as she gave a premiere to the free programme that will be used in Vancouver.

Encouragingly, the 22-year old finished ahead of both world number six, Japan's Fumie Suguri, and Susanna Pokyio, a bronze medallist at last year's European Championships, in the free skate.

"It was like a Grand Prix, the standard was very high and it was a bigger field this year than any other year that I can remember, of course it is the Olympic year," said coach Yuri Bureiko.

"I'm delighted with this great start to the new season for Jenna, both programmes can only improve now, she was unlucky in the short with her combination, but her long programme was outstanding and to come up four places overall in that sort of a field is great."

Russia's Alena Leonova took the women's title while Japan's Daisuke Takahashi marked his comeback from a lengthy injury layoff to secure men's gold.