Shoma Uno (JPN) performs at the 2022 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Montpellier, France. © ISU
Reigning World Champion Shoma Uno (JPN), along with two-time ISU Four Continents Champion Rika Kihira (JPN) and World Ice Dance medalists Piper Gilles/Paul Poirier (CAN) lead the line up at the second ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating event Skate Canada International this week in Mississauga (CAN).
Overview of the competitors
Men Category:
2022 ISU World Champion Shoma Uno (JPN) headlines the Men’s event and will open his Grand Prix season in Canada. Competition should come from Kao Miura (JPN), who won the silver medal at Skate America last week, two-time World medalist Boyang Jin (CHN) and Keegan Messing (CAN).
Boyang Jin (CHN) skates during the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, China. © Getty Images
2022 European bronze medalist Deniss Vasiljevs (LAT), 2019 European bronze medalist Matteo Rizzo (ITA) and Camden Pulkinen (USA) are aiming at the podium as well.
Women Category:
Two-time ISU Four Continents Champion Rika Kihira (JPN) starts her comeback after missing the past season due to injury. 2020 ISU Four Continents silver medalist Young You (KOR) wants to challenge Kihira and win her first ISU Grand Prix title.
Young You (KOR) competes at the 2022 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Montpellier, France. © ISU
The Women’s event looks open with up and coming Skaters such as Niina Petrokina (EST), 2022 Lombardia Trophy Champion Rinka Watanabe (JPN) and 2022 World Junior bronze medalist Lindsay Thorngren (USA). 2017 ISU World bronze medalist Gabrielle Daleman (CAN) is another one to watch.
Gabrielle Daleman (CAN) places during the 2019 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Canada in Kelowna, Canada. © ISU
Pairs Category:
Reigning ISU World silver medalists Riku Miura/Ryuichi Kihara (JPN) lead the Pairs field. 2022 ISU Four Continents silver medalists Emily Chan/Spencer Akira Howe (USA) are eager for their first ISU Grand Prix medal.
Emily Chan and Spencer Akira Howe (USA) compete during the 2022 ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Tallinn, Estonia. © ISU
Other contenders include Alisa Efimova/Ruben Blommaert (GER), newly minted Skate America bronze medalists Kelly Ann Laurin/Loucas Ethier (CAN), 2022 ISU World Junior bronze medalists Brooke McIntosh/ Benjamin Mimar (CAN) and Sara Conti/Niccolo Macii (ITA).
Ice Dance Category:
2021 ISU World bronze medalists Piper Gilles/Paul Poirier (CAN) are the top favorites in the Ice Dance event.
Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier (CAN) compete during the 2022 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Montpellier, France. © ISU
The battle for the podium will be exciting with 2022 Nebelhorn Trophy Champions Lilah Fear/Lewis Gibson (GBR), 2022 ISU Four Continents Champions Caroline Green/Michael Parsons (USA), 2022 Nepela Trophy Champions Marjorie Lajoie/Zachary Lagha (CAN) and 2022 Skate America bronze medalists Marie-Jade Lauriault/Romain Le Gac (CAN) in the mix.
A total of 60 Skaters/Couples representing 15 ISU members have been entered for this event.
Schedule of the event
The schedule is as follows:
Friday, October 28: Women’s Short Program, Rhythm Dance, Pairs & Men’s Short Program
Saturday, October 29: Women’s Free Skating, Free Dance, Pairs & Men’s Free Skating
Sunday, October 30: Exhibition Gala
Skate Canada International in Mississauga (CAN) October 28-30 is the second of six events in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series.
More than 150 Skaters/Couples representing 29 ISU Members have been invited to the Series. The maximum number of entries for each event is 12 Ladies, 12 Men, 8 Pairs and 10 Ice Dance couples.
The General Announcement of the 2022/23 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series is available here. The individual announcements are published under the respective events. Full entry lists and further information are available on the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series page.
Selection Criteria
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 2022. 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 Seasonal Best Scores (from the 2021/22 season) as well as those placed in the top 24 of the ISU World Standings can also be invited. If available, medalists from the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships can also be selected.
In order for a Skater/Couple to be eligible to compete at an ISU Grand Prix event, a minimum total score must have been achieved in the 2021/22 or current 2022/23 season in an ISU event (Grand Prix, Junior Grand Prix, Championships) or a Challenger Series event. Exceptions apply to host country Skaters, previously ranked Skaters or split ranked Couples who return with new partners. The minimum total score is 3/5 of highest score per discipline at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2022 and are as follows: Women: 141.65, Men: 187.49, Pairs: 132.65, Ice Dance: 137.89.
Following the IOC recommendation and in order to protect the integrity of ice skating competitions and for the safety of all the participants of international ice skating competitions, the ISU Council based on Article 17.1.q)i) of the ISU Constitution, agreed that with immediate effect and until further notice, no Skaters belonging to the ISU Members in Russia (Russian Skating Union and the Figure Skating Federation of Russia) and Belarus (Skating Union of Belarus) shall be invited or allowed to participate in International ice skating competitions including ISU Championships and other ISU Events. The same applies to Officials listed in the respective ISU Communications and/or Regulations under Russia and Belarus (see ISU Communication 2469).
Grand Prix Standings
Men Women Ice Dance Pair Skating
Where to Watch
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating events will be live streamed on the official ISU YouTube Channel in most countries. Find out where to watch the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating competitions.
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ISU Grand Prix Schedule
The schedules of each ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating events are available below:
21 - 23 Oct, 2022 Skate America, Norwood (USA)
28 - 30 Oct, 2022 Skate Canada International, Mississauga (CAN)
04 - 06 Nov, 2022 Grand Prix de France, Angers (FRA)
11 - 13 Nov, 2022 MK John Wilson Trophy, Sheffield (GBR)
18 - 20 Nov, 2022 NHK Trophy, Sapporo (JPN)
25 - 27 Nov, 2022 Grand Prix Espoo, Espoo (FIN)
08 - 11 Dec, 2022 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, Torino (ITA)
About ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series started in 1995 (previously known as the ISU Champions Series) and consists of six invitational international senior events and the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. The top six of the past World Championships are seeded. Competitors collect points in their Grand Prix events towards the qualification for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. Only the top six Skaters / Couples in each discipline can qualify for the Final.
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