The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2015/2016 continues this week with Skate Canada International, the second of six events in Lethbridge, AB (CAN), October 30 to November 1. Skaters compete for points to qualify for the Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final and a prize money of US $ 180,000 per individual event of the Grand Prix.
Overview over the top contenders
The Men’s event is highlighted by the first rematch of 2014 Olympic and World Champion Yuzuru Hanyu (JPN) and Olympic silver medalist and three-time World Champion Patrick Chan (CAN) since Sochi 2014. Chan is returning to competition this season after taking a break. Canadian Champion Nam Nguyen, Adam Rippon (USA), Michal Brezina (CZE) and Daisuke Murakami (JPN) are aiming at a podium finish as well.
2015 World and European Champion Elizaveta Tuktamysheva (RUS) starts her Grand Prix season in Lethbridge. Competition should come from U.S. Champion Ashley Wagner, Kaetlyn Osmond (CAN), 2015 Four Continents Champion Polina Edmunds (USA) and 2014 Four Continents Champion Kanako Murakami (JPN). Elizabet Tursynbaeva (KAZ) is eying the podium after coming fourth at Progressive Skate America last week. Other contenders include Canadian Champion Gabrielle Daleman and 2012 World silver medalist Alena Leonova (RUS).
2015 World Champions Meagan Duhamel/Eric Radford (CAN) lead the Pairs and compete in their first Grand Prix this season on home soil. They are joined by Grand Prix medalists Evgenia Tarasova/Vladimir Morozov (RUS), Vera Bazarova/Andrei Deputat (RUS) and Italian Champions Valentina Marchei/ Ondrej Hotarek.
2015 World bronze medalists Kaitlyn Weaver/Andrew Poje (CAN) headline the Ice Dance event. Competition for the podium should be exciting with 2011 World bronze medalists Maia Shibutani/Alex Shibutani (USA), 2013 World bronze medalists Ekaterina Bobrova/Dmitri Soloviev (RUS), Alexandra Paul/Mitchell Islam (CAN) and Laurence Fournier Beaudry/Nikolaj Sorensen (DEN) in the mix. Bobrova/Soloviev return to competition after sitting out last season due to his knee injury.
A total of 56 skaters/couples from 11 ISU members compete at Skate Canada International. For full entry lists of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2015/16 please refer to www.isu.org under Single& Pair Skating/Ice Dance then select Grand Prix.
The schedule of Skate Canada International is as follows:
Friday, October 30: Short Dance, Ladies, Men's and Pairs Short Program
Saturday, October 31: Ladies Free Skating, Free Dance, Pairs and Men’s Free Skating
Sunday, November 1: Exhibition Gala