#ISUSkatingAwards #FigureSkating
Today, the International Skating Union unveiled the Skating Awards trophy and announced the celebrities that will compose the six-member jury panel for the inaugural ISU Skating Awards.
The high-profile jury is composed of noteworthy and accomplished Figure Skating experts. The Jury, presided by ISU Council member Ms. Marie Lundmark, will have the honor and responsibility of carefully determining the winners of the seven categories of the inaugural ISU Skating Awards Montréal 2020 are:
Eric Radford (CAN) - Pair Skater, who, with his partner Meagan Duhamel, is a two-time ISU World Figure Skating Champion (2015 and 2016), 2018 Olympic bronze medallist and Gold medallist in the team event, two-time ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Champion (2013 and 2015) and the 2014/15 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final Champion.
Lu Chen (CHN) - 1995 ISU World Figure Skating Champion and the first Figure Skater from China to win bronze at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships (1992 and 1993) and at the Olympic Games in 1994 and 1998.
Miki Ando (JPN) - two-time ISU World Figure Skating Champion (2007 and 2011), 2011 ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Champion and 2004 ISU World Junior Figure Skating Champion and the first female skater to land a quadruple jump in competition.
Surya Bonaly (FRA) - three-time ISU World Figure Skating Silver medallist (1993-1995), five-time ISU European Figure Skating Champion (1991-1995) and 1991 ISU World Junior Figure Skating Champion.
Tatiana Navka (RUS) - Ice Dancer, who, with her partner Roman Kostomarov, is 2006 Olympic Champion, two-time ISU World Figure Skating Champion (2004 and 2005), three-time ISU European Figure Skating Champion (2004-2006) and three-time ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final Champion (2003-2005).
Todd Eldredge (USA) - 1996 ISU World Figure Skating Champion and 1988 ISU World Junior Figure Skating Champion.
Based on the results and experiences at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating individual events and Final, ISU European Figure Skating Championships and ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships of the 2019/20 season, and following the online votes registered by the public, media and ISU Members between December 1, 2019 and February 10, 2020 on the long list of Candidates, the three nominees in each category were announced on June 26, 2020.
The star-studded Jury will determine the winner of each category, who will be revealed during the online ISU Skating Awards on July 11, 2020 Live Streamed on ISU Skating Awards page from 16:00 CEST, by the hosts of the Awards Tanith and Charlie White.
The winner of each category will be presented with a unique, handcrafted piece of art created by artist Faton Kryeziu, that embodies the essence of Figure Skating. More than a Skater connected to the ice, it reflects the beauty of the sport through every angle. The lines illustrate movement, flow and artistry, while the bronze properties of the artwork portray the strong athletic character of the sport. The gold provides a glamourous touch associated with the ceremony that will feature the world’s best Figure Skaters and a Gala and Ceremony with breath-taking performances, entertaining music acts and memorable artistic compositions.
The ISU Skating Awards Selection Commission selected eligible candidates based on the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating event results and feedback. For the full list of candidates please register on the ISU online voting platform where votes can be cast in the following categories:
- Most Valuable Skater: Honors the Single Skater or Pair or Ice Dance Couple who best managed to increase the level of popularity of Figure Skating with their fan base, media attention and sponsor appreciation.
- Best Costume:Honors the Single Skater or Pair or Ice Dance Couple whose costume reflects creativity, contemporary implementation, fashion, style and originality.
- Most Entertaining Program:Honors the Single Skater or Pair or Ice Dance Couple whose program had the best music selection, expression, creativity, contemporary implementation, originality and overall performance.
- Best Newcomer:Honors a talented Single Skater or Pair or Ice Dance Couple competing very successfully in ISU Events on the Senior level for the first season.
- Best Choreographer:Honors the choreographic work of a Choreographer who successfully inspired one or several Single Skaters and/or Pairs and/or ice Dance Couples.
- Best Coach:Honors a Coach who delivered professional and efficient work and achieved outstanding results with one or several Single Skaters and/or Pairs and/or ice Dance Couples.
- Lifetime Achievement Award:Honors a Figure Skating legend having achieved great success and popularity and is considered a role model in the Figure Skating world (will be announced on July 11, 2020).
The Figure Skating season was cut short because of the COVID-19 pandemic which led to the cancellation of the ISU Skating Awards show, due to take place on the final day of the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2020 in Montréal (CAN). However, in this tumultuous environment of uncertainty, it is more important now than ever to get together and honor the athletes, coaches and choreographers that have worked so hard. The ISU Skating Awards will be an opportunity to celebrate Figure Skating and put athletes back at the center stage. Visit the ISU Skating Awards page to join Tanith and Charlie White in the celebration and watch the Awards live.
To receive the latest information on the #ISUSkatingAwards subscribe to the ISU Newsletter and to the Skating ISU YouTube Channel to receive notifications when live streams or new videos are published. For more information visit the ISU Skating Awards page.
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