Stockholm, Sweden

The Ladies event at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Stockholm (SWE) features an exciting mix of newcomers and experienced skaters who are expected to battle for the medals.

Overview of the top contenders

Anna Shcherbakova RUS EFSC 2020 International Skating Union ISU 1202100289

Anna Shcherbakova (RUS) at the ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2020©International Skating Union (ISU)

 

“Quad queens” Anna Shcherbakova (FSR) and Alexandra Trusova (FSR) are aiming high at their debut at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships, especially since missing out last year when the event was cancelled. These teenagers have multiple quadruple jumps in their arsenal – Lutz and Flip for Shcherbakova, Lutz, Flip, Salchow and Toeloop for Trusova. The first and so far only quad performed by a Lady at an ISU senior-level ISU World Figure Skating Championship was Elizabet Tursynbaeva’s (KAZ) quad Salchow in 2019. Tursynbaeva is not competing this time.

Shcherbakova earned her third consecutive national title in December with spectacular performances. Trusova looked strong as well at Nationals and the Russian Team Event.

Rika Kihira JPN FCFSC 2020 INternational Skating Union ISU 1204774408

Rika Kihira (JPN) at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships 2020©International Skating Union (ISU)

Rika Kihira (JPN) wants to break through the Russian dominance. The two-time ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Champion also has added a quad (Salchow) to her repertoire and has another trump card - the triple Axel. Kihira will be competing in her second ISU World Figure Skating Championship after coming 4th in her debut in 2019. She landed her first quad Salchow in competition at the Japanese Championships last December and scored a clear victory.

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva RUS GPFS CHN 2019 International SKating Union ISU 1180861441

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva (RUS) at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating (CHN) 2019©International Skating Union (ISU)

A strong group of more experienced Ladies is eying the podium as well. Stockholm will see the return of “The Empress” Elizaveta Tuktamysheva (FSR), who returns to the World stage for the first time since 2015, when she had won her ISU World and European titles. Tuktamysheva, by the way, has fond memories of the Ericsson Globe as she was crowned ISU European Figure Skating Champion on this ice six years ago. Tuktamysheva comes with her best weapon, a triple Axel, to Sweden. Bradie Tennell (USA) has established herself as a top contender over the past years and recaptured her National title in January. Two-time ISU World Figure Skating medalist Satoko Miyahara (JPN) and 2020 NHK Trophy Champion Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) are challenging for top placements as well.

Eva Lotta Kiibus EST EFSC 2020 INternational SKating Union ISU 1201926245

Eva-Lotta Kiibus (EST) at the ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2020©International Skating Union (ISU)

Be sure to keep an eye on up and coming skaters such as Loena Hendrickx (BEL), who just won the Challenge Cup in The Hague, Eva-Lotta Kiibus (EST), Yelim Kim (KOR), ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Finalist Haein Lee (KOR) as well as on Alexia Paganini (SUI) and Karen Chen (USA).

The ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2020 were cancelled because of the pandemic. None of the 2019 ISU World medalists – Champion Alina Zagitova (RUS), silver medalist Elizabet Tursynbaeva (KAZ) and bronze medalist Evgenia Medvedeva (RUS) - are competing this time around and Tuktamysheva is the only Lady that has won an ISU World Figure Skating title before.

A total of 42 Ladies representing 35 ISU Members have been entered for the event. Following a ruling of the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), Russian athletes compete not under Russia (RUS), but under “FSR”.

Skaters/couples need to have obtained a minimum total technical score in Short Program and Free Skating in order to compete at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships. Due to the limited possibilities to compete during the ongoing pandemic, the ISU has adapted the rules for obtaining the minimum score. For more details, see ISU Communication 2370.

The ISU World Figure Skating Championships serve as well as the main Olympic qualifying event. A maximum of twenty-four spots (out of 30 in total) are on the line in the Ladies and Men’s Singles events, a maximum of 16 (out of 19) entries in the Pairs and a maximum of 19 (out of 23) entries will be determined in the Ice Dance event. See OWG2022 Qualification system.

Prize Money

The ISU awards a global prize money of US$ 886,000 at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships to skaters/couples placed 1st to 6th. The prize money is awarded to winners and placed skaters/couples as follows:

Men and Ladies                                                      Pairs and Dance (per couple)
1st place US$ 64,000                                              1st place US$ 90,000
2nd place US$ 47,000                                            2nd place US$ 65,500
3rd place US$ 33,000                                             3rd place US$ 45,000
4th place US$ 19,000                                             4th place US$ 26,000
5th place US$ 11,000                                             5th place US$ 16,000
6th place US$ 8,000                                               6th place US$ 10,000

Event Schedule

The schedule of the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2021 is as follows:

Wednesday, March 24: Ladies and Pairs Short Programs, Opening Ceremony

Thursday, March 25: Men’s Short Program, Pairs Free Skating

Friday, March 26: Rhythm Dance, Ladies Free Skating

Saturday, March 27: Men Free Skating, Free Dance

Sunday, March 28: Exhibition Gala

For more information, full entry lists and results please see the ISU website and the official event website. Follow the discussion on social media using #WorldFigure and #FigureSkating.

Where to watch and follow the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2021?

The ISU World Figure Skating Championships will be live streamed on the Skating ISU YouTube Channel. Geo-restrictions will apply in markets where TV rights are in place. You will find the full list in the Where to Watch news here.

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