The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2015/2016 continues this week with the Trophée Eric Bompard in Bordeaux (FRA), November 13 to 15. 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. Several skaters have the chance to book their ticket for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final.
Overview over the top contenders
Three-time World Champion Patrick Chan (CAN) continues his comeback and following his victory at Skate Canada International last month is looking to earn this spot in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. Max Aaron (USA), who won Progressive Skate America is aiming at another podium finish and at his first Grand Prix Final. Daisuke Murakami (JPN), bronze medalist at Skate Canada and Skate America silver medalist Shoma Uno (JPN) want to challenge for the podium again. 2015 World bronze medalist Denis Ten (KAZ) wants to improve on his performances from Skate America and 2014 Trophee Bompard Champion Maxim Kovtun (RUS) enters his first Grand Prix event this season.
Reigning World Champion Elizaveta Tuktamysheva (RUS) headlines the Ladies field. After taking silver at Skate America she wants to secure her spot for Barcelona here in Bordeaux. The challenge should come from Skate America silver medalist Gracie Gold (USA), 2014 Four Continents Champion Kanako Murakami (JPN) and 2014 European Champion Julia Lipnitskaia (RUS). Murakami and Lipnitskaia hope to do better that in their first Grand Prix event. Other contenders include Gabrielle Daleman (CAN) and Mae Berenice Meite (FRA).
In the Pairs, the attention is on 2014 Olympic Champions Tatiana Volosozhar/Maxim Trankov (RUS) who return to the Grand Prix circuit after sitting out the past season. They will face their up and coming teammates and Skate Canada silver medalists Evgenia Tarasova/Vladimir Morozov (RUS) and ISU Grand Prix Finalists Cheng Peng/Hao Zhang (CHN), who are competing in their first Grand Prix this season. 2015 World Junior bronze medalists Julianne Seguin/Charlie Bilodeau hope to follow up on their bronze medal from Progressive Skate America.
The Ice Dance event looks open with Progressive Skate America bronze medalists Piper Gilles/Paul Poirier (CAN), 2014 European bronze medalists Penny Coomes/Nicholas Buckland (GBR), 2015 European bronze medalists Alexandra Stepanova/Ivan Bukin (RUS) and 2014 Four Continents Champions Madison Hubbell/Zachary Donohue (USA) competing. Other competitors include 2015 World Junior Champions Anna Yanovskaya/Sergey Mozgov (RUS), Laurence Fournier Beaudry/ Nikolaj Sorensen (DEN) and Alisa Agafonova/Alper Ucar (TUR). Reigning World Champions Gabriella Papadakis/Guillaume Cizeron (FRA) have withdrawn as Papadakis is still recovering from an injury sustained earlier this year.
A total of 53 skaters/couples from 15 ISU members compete at Trophee Eric Bompard. 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 Trophee Eric Bompard is as follows:
Friday, November 13: Ladies Short Program, Short Dance, Men's and Pairs Short Program
Saturday, November 14: Ladies Free Skating, Men’s and Pairs Free Skating
Sunday, November 15: Exhibition Gala