The World’s top Figure Skaters including Olympic Champions Yuzuru Hanyu (JPN), Tessa Virtue/Scott Moir (CAN), World and European Champions and medalists will compete in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series 2016/17 that starts this week with Progressive Skate America in Hoffman Estates/Chicago (USA) October 21-23.
The Series continues with Skate Canada International at Mississauga (CAN) October 28-30, Rostelecom Cup in Moscow (RUS) November 4-6, Trophée de France in Paris (FRA) November 11-13, Audi Cup of China in Beijing (CHN) November 18-20 and NHK Trophy in Sapporo (JPN) November 25-27.
The level of competition promises to be high as all four reigning World Champions – Javier Fernandez (ESP), Evgenia Medvedeva (RUS), Pair Skating champions Meagan Duhamel/Eric Radford (CAN) and Ice Dance champions Gabriella Papadakis/Guillaume Cizeron (FRA) as well as World medalists have been entered for the Grand Prix. Add the returning 2010 Olympic Champions and 2014 Olympic silver medalists Tessa Virtue/Scott Moir, three-time World Champions Mao Asada (JPN) and Patrick Chan (CAN) to the mix and expect an exciting start of the senior season.
144 Skaters/Couples from 27 ISU Members have been invited (40 Men, 40 Ladies, 29 Pairs, 35 Ice Dance couples). The number of entries for each event is 12 Ladies, 12 Men, eight Pairs and ten Ice Dance couples. The top six qualifiers in each discipline will proceed to the Final in Marseille (FRA) December 8 to 11, 2016.
The Skaters are seeded and invited to the six Grand Prix of Figure Skating events based on the results of the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2016. Skaters/couples who have placed 1 to 6 in each of the four categories are seeded and assigned to two events. Skaters/ couples who have placed 7-12 at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships are selected for two ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating events, and skaters with a top 24 high seasons best score as well as those placed in the top 24 of the World Standings can also be invited. Medalists from the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships and the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final gold medalists are guaranteed one spot.
In order for a Skater/Couple to be eligible to compete at a Grand Prix event, a minimum total score or minimum technical score must have been achieved in the previous or current season in an ISU event (Grand Prix, Junior Grand Prix, Championships, World Team Trophy or selected international competitions). Exceptions apply to host country skaters, previously ranked skaters or split ranked couples who return with new partners.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR ALL SIX EVENTS AS AT OCTOBER 24, 2016
ISU CHANNEL
(GEO-BLOCKED IN COUNTRIES WITH TELEVISION RIGHTS)
RUSSIA – LIVE STREAM
KAZSPORT
CHINA LIVE STREAM
RELATED CONTENT:
2016 GRAND PRIX SERIES