ISU

Figure Skating is an individual sport, but at the same time, skaters usually start travelling to international competitions at a young age and make friends all over the world. Friendship is always important, but especially in challenging times like now with the COVID-19 pandemic affecting everybody’s life. Skaters are relying on their friends from all over the world to overcome these challenges together.

Have a look back at the best pictures of the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships 2020. Nothing like capturing a moment. 

The COVID-19 pandemic forced everyone to try new and different things. Skaters trained online and at home, choreographers were building programs using video conference techniques. 2015 ISU World Figure Skating Champion Elizaveta Tuktamysheva (RUS) and her choreographer Juri Smekalov, a dancer and choreographer from the world famous Mariinski Theater in St. Petersburg, took it a step further and built a new program live on Instagram in several sessions for everyone to watch, follow and participate.

Australia’s Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya, 20, who tragically died on July 17, 2020, was a talented Pair Skater who, together with her partner Harley Windsor, wrote Figure Skating history for her adopted country.

Since the last ISU Council meeting on July 6, the ISU has been informed of increased travel and entry restrictions which would seriously complicate the travel of Junior Skaters with the consequence that some ISU Members simply cannot or do not feel comfortable to send Junior teams to the remaining ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating countries.

It is with profound sadness that the ISU learned of the sudden and unexpected passing of pair skater Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya (AUS).

The ISU Skating Awards campaign deemed a success with a reach of over 10 million and 16 million impressions over three weeks and over 150,000 live stream views within 24 hours of the live broadcast of the show.

Following the announcement from the General Administration of Sport of China last week, the ISU received clarification through its Chinese counterparts regarding the ISU Events scheduled to be held in China in 2020.

Yuzuru Hanyu (JPN/Most Valuable Skater), Gabriella Papadakis/Guillaume Cizeron (FRA/Most Entertaining Program), Alena Kostornaia (RUS/Best Newcomer) and Madison Chock/Evan Bates (USA/Best Costume) are the winning skaters of the inaugural ISU Skating Awards for the 2019/20 season. The Best Coach Award went to Eteri Tutberidze (RUS) while Shae-Lynn Bourne (CAN) was crowned best choreographer. Four-time World Champion and Canadian skating legend Kurt Browning received the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Don’t miss the live show to find out which nominees will win an ISU Skating Award. The inaugural event will be held digitally on July 11, 2020 on the ISU Skating Awards page from 16:00 CEST.

Like the athletes in the Limelight of the ISU Skating Awards, Aloe Blacc inspires audiences around the world, but with a different type of performance. He is a singer, rapper, producer, songwriter and philanthropist. He has earned his global fame with hit songs such as “I Need Dollar” and for “Wake Me Up” and “SOS, for which he collaborated with the late Avicii. The audience of the ISU Skating Awards will have the honour of discovering his brand new single “My Way”, that he will perform Live on the ISU Skating Awards on July 11, 2020, that will be Streamed on ISU Skating Awards page from 16:00 CEST.

Cancellation of the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating, Yokohama (JPN) - September 16-19, 2020

In Speed Skating the athletes were lucky enough to finish the 2019/20 season before the entire sporting world came to a halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Their Short Track Speed Skating colleagues were less fortunate, as the ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championships 2020 in Seoul had to be cancelled. However, it didn't stop top athletes from training, but just in a different way. The “Keep Training!” series launched in April turned out to be a huge success. Some of the best coaches, champions and specialists in sports psychology and mental performance provided free online training for athletes and coaches to prepare. Thousands of viewers followed the live training sessions.

The International Skating Union (ISU) reveals the three nominees in each category of the ISU Skating Awards 2020 which will take place on July 11, 2020 and will be Live Streamed on ISU Skating Awards page from 16:00 CEST.

The International Skating Union (ISU) is pleased to announce that Tanith and Charlie White will be the hosts of the inaugural and virtual ISU Skating Awards, which will take place on July 11, 2020 and will be Live Streamed on ISU Skating Awards page from 16:00 CEST.