The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series continues this week with the Cup of China in Chongqing (CHN). The Cup of China is the fourth of six events of the Series in which the world’s best Figure Skaters compete and collect points towards the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2023/24 in Beijing (CHN) on December 7-10, 2023. Reigning ISU World Champion Shoma Uno (JPN) will compete in his first event, as others including the ISU European Champion Adam Siao Him Fa (FRA), and World bronze medalists Loena Hendrickx (BEL) and Piper Gilles/Paul Poirier (CAN), look to seal qualification for the ISU Grand Prix Final in their second event.
Fourth stop: Cup of China, Chongqing (CHN) (Nov. 10-12, 2023)
Women contenders
The ISU World bronze medalist Loena Hendrickx (BEL) leads the field and is well placed to book her ticket to the Final in Beijing following her victory at Skate America, the opening Grand Prix of the season. Competition should come from the bronze medalist in Texas, Niina Petrokina (EST), who also has a chance to qualify for the Final, and ISU Grand Prix Finalist Yelim Kim (KOR), who won Finlandia Trophy earlier this season. Rinka Watanabe (JPN) will look to improve on her sixth-place finish at Skate Canada. Others to watch include Hana Yoshida (JPN), who has a triple Axel in her arsenal, and Ekaterina Kurakova (POL).
Loena Hendrickx (BEL), gold medalist at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating - Skate America, on the ice in Allen, Texas © ISU
Men contenders
Two-time ISU World Champion Shoma Uno (JPN) competes in his first event this season and will debut new programs. He will be up against ISU European Champion Adam Siao Him Fa (FRA), who comes fresh from a strong victory at the ISU Grand Prix de France last week, and the new Skate Canada Champion Sota Yamamoto (JPN). Siao Him Fa and Yamamoto are aiming to qualify for the ISU Grand Prix Final, while Kazuki Tomono (JPN) has his sights set on the podium after missing out narrowly at Skate Canada. Two-time ISU World bronze medalist Boyang Jin (CHN) will be hoping to shine on home ice and improve on his result in France, where he came eighth.
Japan's Shoma Uno poses with his World Chanmpionship gold medal in Saitama, Japan © ISU
Pairs contenders
The Pairs event features Skate Canada Champions Deanna Stellato-Dudek/Maxime Deschamps (CAN) and Skate America Champions Annika Hocke/Robert Kunkel (GER), who have excellent chances to make the Final. Competition should come from ISU European silver medalists Rebecca Ghilardi/Filippo Ambrosini (ITA) who will compete in their first Grand Prix event this season. Multiple ISU Grand Prix and ISU Four Continents medalist Cheng Peng (CHN) returns to the Grand Prix circuit with her new partner Lei Wang, and the new team hope to make an impact in their home Grand Prix.
Deanna Stellato-Dudek/Maxime Deschamps (CAN) on their way to victory at their home Grand Prix in Vancouver, Canada © ISU
Ice Dance contenders
In the Ice Dance event, two-time ISU World bronze medalists Piper Gilles/Paul Poirier (CAN) enter as favorites and want to seal their spot at the ISU Grand Prix Final. Skate America silver medalists Majorie Lajoie/Zachary Lagha (CAN) are aiming for another medal and their first Grand Prix Final qualification. The battle for the podium looks open, with 2022 ISU Four Continents Champions Caroline Green/Michael Parsons (USA), 2020 ISU World Junior silver medalists Maria Kazakova/Giorgi Revia (GEO), and Loicia Demougeot/Theo Le Mercier (FRA) in the mix.
Piper Gilles/Paul Poirier (CAN), bronze medalists at the 2023 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Saitama, Japan © ISU
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series consists of six events: Skate America, Skate Canada International, Grand Prix de France, Cup of China, Grand Prix Espoo (FIN) and NHK Trophy (JPN). Skaters collect points towards qualification for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2023/24 in Beijing (CHN).
ISU Grand Prix Standings
The General Announcement of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series is available here on the ISU website. The individual announcements are published on the ISU Event section under each dedicated Grand Prix event (filter with the relevant Event Series.
For full entry lists and further information regarding the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series please visit here.
All Media Accreditations details and deadlines for the Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series can be found here.
Where to Watch
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating events will be live streamed with English commentary on the official ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 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:
20 - 22 Oct, 2023 Skate America, Allen (Texas, USA)
27 – 29 Oct, 2023 Skate Canada International, Vancouver (CAN)
03 - 05 Nov, 2023 Grand Prix de France, Angers (FRA)
10 - 12 Nov, 2023 Grand Prix Cup of China, Chongqing (CHN)
17 - 19 Nov, 2023 Grand Prix Espoo, Espoo (FIN)
24 - 26 Nov, 2023 NHK Trophy, Osaka (JPN)
07 - 10 Dec, 2023 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, Beijing (CHN)
About ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series started in 1995 (previously known a s 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 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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