The 2019 Challenger Series gets underway with Skate Canada Autumn Classic in Oakville, Ontario, Sep. 12-14 and concludes with Golden Spin in Zagreb, Croatia in early December.
The 10-event Series, now in its sixth season, provides all skaters the opportunity to get some mileage on their programs before the Grand Prix Series — and those who do not have any Grand Prix assignments, the opportunity to earn World Standing Points, which are required to be eligible to compete at Championship events — along with the potential to win prize money.
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva, who is spending part of the summer in Italy, posted a note on Twitter on July 18: ″Hello, Italy! Just like two previous years, I want to start my new competetive season with you at the Lombardia Trophy. And of course I wanna′ meet you in early December as well.″
On July 22, the ISU cancelled the Asian Open Figure Skating Classic and replaced it with the Asian Open Figure Skating Trophy. There was intense debate online when the news broke that the ISU had moved the event from Taipei City, Chinese Taipei, to Dongguan, China. Though the Chinese Taipei Skating Federation (CTSF) initially disputed the ISU claim that it had agreed to the change of venue, it was ultimately revealed that a former official of the CTSF had in fact done so.
NEXT EVENT:
GOLDEN SPIN OF ZAGREB
The Challenger Series, introduced during the 2014-2015 season as a series of international figure skating competitions is financially supported by the ISU. This Series has proven to be successful and is an excellent way for many skaters to properly prepare for each season and as a means to qualifying and competing at ISU Championships. In pre-Olympic years, nations that do not qualify for Olympic berths at the preceding World Championships have one last opportunity to do so at the Challenger Series event, Nebelhorn Trophy.