The last remaining spots for the XXII Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, are at stake at the Nebelhorn Trophy 2013 in Oberstdorf, Germany on September 25 to 28. The traditional fall event Nebelhorn Trophy is the ISU designated senior international figure skating qualifying competition as it was in 2009.

The maximum number of entries for the Olympic Winter Games is 30 for Ladies and Men, 20 for Pairs and 24 for Ice Dance couples. 24 spots for Men and Ladies, 16 spots for Pairs and 19 spots for Ice Dancers were determined according to the results of the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2013 (see ISU Communication 1791 for details). The remaining open entries (six Men, six Ladies, four Pairs and five Ice Dance couples) are available only to ISU members which have not earned an entry in the respective discipline. Only one entry per discipline and country may be earned in Oberstdorf.

A total of 154 skaters from 50 ISU members have been entered for Nebelhorn Trophy. The event is open to other skaters whose countries have earned entries for the Olympic Games already, but they are not eligible to qualify additional spots.

Overview over the competitors
A total of 34 Men have been entered, with 26 Men competing for an Olympic berth. The top contenders are Nobunari Oda (JPN) and 2013 World Junior silver medalist Jason Brown (USA). Both are not trying to qualify a spot for the Olympic Games.

The Ladies event features 36 entries. 29 of them are eligible to qualify an entry for Sochi. Two-time European bronze medalist Elene Gedevanishvili (GEO) hopes to qualify for her third Olympic Games. Two-time World Champion Miki Ando (JPN) and reigning World Junior Champion Elena Radionova (RUS) headline the field, but are not competing for an entry to the Olympic Games. Ando starts her comeback in Oberstdorf after sitting out the past two seasons while Radionova will debut at the international senior scene.

19 Pairs have been entered and 13 of them hope for a chance to go to Sochi. Among them are 2012 World Pairs bronze medalist Narumi Takahashi (JPN) and her new partner Ryuichi Kihara (JPN). The top contenders are reigning World Champions Tatiana Volosozhar/Maxim Trankov (RUS).

Out of the 23 Ice Dance couples, 18 are fighting for a spot at the Olympic Winter Games. 2011 World Junior Champions Ksenia Monko/Kirill Khaliavin (RUS) and 2011 Nebelhorn Trophy Champions Madison Hubbell/Zachary Donohue (USA) lead the field, but are not competing in the qualifying.

The schedule for Nebelhorn Trophy is as follows:
Thursday, September 26: Ladies and Pairs Short Programs, Short Dance
Friday, September 27: Men Short Program, Pairs and Ladies Free Skating
Saturday, September 28: Men Free Skating, Free Dance, Exhibition Gala