The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2013/2014 continues this week with Trophée Eric Bompard, the fifth of six events in the series, in Paris, France. Several top skaters want to book their ticket to the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. The world's top figure skaters are competing for a prize money of US $ 180,000 per individual event of the Grand Prix.
49 skaters/couples from 12 ISU Members have been invited to Trophée Eric Bompard. The event is headlined by three-time and reigning World Champion Patrick Chan (CAN), Olympic Ice Dance Champions Tessa Virtue/Scott Moir (CAN) and two-time World Pairs Champions Qing Pang/Jian Tong (CHN).
Following their win at their home Grand Prix Skate Canada, Virtue/Moir are aiming at the top of the podium in Paris again and at qualifying for the Grand Prix Final. Two-time European Champions Nathalie Pechalat/Fabian Bourzat (FRA) have won the Lexus Cup of China and want to secure their spot in the Final as well as another medal. 2013 European silver medalists Elena Ilinykh/Nikita Katsalapov (RUS) are looking to improve on their fourth-place finish from NHK Trophy last week. Other contenders include Nelli Zhiganshina/Alexander Gazsi (GER) and 2013 World Junior silver medalists Gabriella Papadakis/Guilleaume Cizeron (FRA) who are debuting at the senior-level Grand Prix.
In the Men's event, Chan will face Yuzuru Hanyu (JPN), who finished second to him at Skate Canada as well as Cup of China gold medalist Han Yan (CHN), who also hopes to get to the Final. Other challengers for the podium are 2013 European silver medalist Florent Amodio (FRA), 2013 European bronze medalist Michal Brezina (CZE) and 2013 World Junior silver medalist Jason Brown (USA).
The Ladies event will be a tough battle for the top of the podium and tickets to the Final. Anna Pogorilaya (RUS) has won Cup of China, Ashley Wagner (USA) comes with a silver from Skate America to Paris while Adelina Sotinkova (RUS) has a silver from Cup of China. Other competitors include Christina Gao (USA), Mae-Berenice Meite (FRA) and Amelie Lacoste (CAN).
Pang/Tong lead the Pairs in Paris. The challenge should come from 2013 World bronze medalists Meagan Duhamel/Eric Radford (CAN) who want to improve on their bronze medal from Skate Canada and also 2012 European silver medalists Vera Bazarova/Juri Larionov (RUS) who are entering the Grand Prix series at Trophée Bompard. Caydee Denney/John Coughlin (USA) and Vanessa James/Morgan Cipres are eyeing the podium as well.
For full entry lists and results of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2013/14 please refer to www.isu.org.
The schedule of Trophée Eric Bompard is as follows:
Friday, November 15: Pairs, Men's Short Program, Short Dance, Ladies Short Program
Saturday, November 16: Pairs, Men's Free Skating, Free Dance, Ladies Free Skating
Sunday, November 17: Exhibition Gala