GRAND FORKS – Practice makes perfect for France's Thomas Dufour.

The French skip, who lead his team to a 6-6 record at last year's Ford Worlds in Edmonton, is the early leader at 2-0 at this year's edition of the World Men's Curling Championship. And his team's plan to score more wins started some 10 weeks ago – in Toronto, Canada.

Dufour and company rode a surprising 6-0 lead into a 7-1 victory over Switzerland's Claudio Pescia (0-2), their second win after dispatching China in the afternoon.

The French spent nine weeks in the Ontario city, training at no less than seven area clubs, studying video and competing in various tournaments. They flew home for a week in February, won the French championship – which was actually contested in Geneva, Switzerland – and returned to their training ground in advance of the trip to Grand Forks.

"We feel a little more confident than last year," said Dufour, who estimates his team spent over $10,000 in total training costs.

"We are a little more experienced, and we had some good training in Toronto. So we will see.

"But (today) is only one day."

France was joined by Germany at the top of the standings, as Füssen's Andy Kapp outscored China's Fengchun Wang 11-5.

In other matches, Canada's Kevin Martin scored two three-enders to defeat Denmark's Johnny Frederiksen 9-3 and Sweden's Anders Kraupp overcame an Australian comeback to defeat Hugh Milliken's Pacific veterans by a 6-5 count.

Sunday action – which sees a total of 10 matches - features Scotland versus Norway, France versus Germany and Canada against Australia.

Numerous television groups are delivering live and tape-delayed action, plus highlight packages, to world curling fans. Eurosport, CBC/Bold/CBCSports.ca (Canada), NBCOlympics.com and WCSN (United States) and CurlTV are all on site in Grand Forks, with World Curling Television (Production Manager Joanna Kelly) available for footage inquiries at +1 701 777 5619 or +1 701 777 5621.

Live results, with linescores and shooting percentages, are available via: worldmenscurling2008.com with mirrored scores also posted at: results.worldcurling.org