The 2011/2012 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating continues this Friday with the Cup of China in Shanghai. The event is held in Shanghai for the first time. The Cup of China is the third of six events in the series. The skaters compete for a global prize money of US $ 180, 000 per individual event of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating and receive points according to their placements.
2011 World bronze medallist Artur Gachinski (RUS) will face a stiff challenge from 2011 Four Continents silver medallist Yuzuru Hanyu (JPN) and 2011 Four Continents bronze medallist Jeremy Abbott (USA). Reigning Grand Prix Final silver medallist Nobunari Oda (JPN), Kevin Reynolds (CAN) and Junior Grand Prix Final Champion Richard Dornbush (USA) are aiming at the podium as well. Brian Joubert (FRA) and Jinlin Guan (CHN) have withdrawn from the event citing injury.
Reigning World bronze medallist Carolina Kostner (ITA) leads the Ladies and wants to secure her spot in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final after finishing second at Hilton Hhonours Skate America last month. Competition should come from 2011 World Junior Champion Adelina Sotnikova (RUS), reigning Grand Prix Final bronze medallist Kanako Murakami (JPN), and 2011 Four Continents bronze medallist Mirai Nagasu (USA). Sotnikova debutes at the senior-level Grand Prix series.
2011 European silver medallists Yuko Kavaguti/Alexander Smirnov (RUS) will face two top Chinese teams in Shanghai: Multiple World medallists Dan Zhang/Hao Zhang and two-time and reigning World Junior Champions Wenjing Sui/Cong Han both took the silver in their previous event and are looking to book their ticket to Quebec for the Final. Other competitors include 2011 Hilton Hhonours Skate America bronze medallists Kirsten Moore-Towers/Dylan Moscovitch (CAN) and 2010 Cup of Russia bronze medallists Amanda Evora/Mark Ladwig (USA).
2011 World bronze medallists Maia Shibutani/Alex Shibutani (USA) headline the dance field. 2011 European silver medallists Ekaterina Bobrova/Dmitri Soloviev (RUS) want to challenge the siblings. Other contenders include Pernelle Carron/Lloyd Jones (FRA), 2011 World Junior bronze medallists Charlotte Lichtman/Dean Copely and Xintong Huang/Xun Zheng (CHN).
The full list of entries is available at www.isu.org