Reigning ISU World Champions Ilia Malinin (USA), Madison Chock/Evan Bates (USA) – as well as World and European medalists – are ready to kick off the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series 2024/25 at Skate America in Allen, TX (USA) this Friday on the road to the ISU Grand Prix Final.
The Top Contenders
The road to the ISU Grand Prix Final officially opens for the “Quad God”, 2024 ISU World Champion Ilia Malinin and the other competitors at Skate America. Malinin will compete against 2023 ISU Four Continents Champion Kao Miura (JPN), ISU Grand Prix Finalist Kevin Aymoz (FRA), Deniss Vasiljevs (LAT) and Nika Egadze (GEO). Crowd favorite Donovan Carrillo (MEX) returns to the ISU Grand Prix Series in Allen.
Gold medalist Ilia Malinin (USA) at the 2024 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Montreal, Canada © ISU
The Women’s event looks open with several strong contenders for the podium and the important points for qualification for the Final. 2024 ISU World silver medalist Isabeau Levito (USA) will face 2024 European bronze medalist Nina Pinzarrone (BEL) and 2024 ISU Four Continents bronze medalist Rinka Watanabe (JPN). 2018 ISU World silver medalist Wakaba Higuchi (JPN) is in the mix as well. Elyce-Lin Gracey (USA) competes following a win at the ISU Challenger Nebelhorn Trophy where she beat Levito, among others. Former US Champion Bradie Tennell returns to the circuit with renewed confidence following her second-place finish in the Shanghai Trophy earlier this month.
Rinka Watanabe (JPN) skating to bronze at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Shanghai, China © ISU
In the Pairs, 2024 World silver medalists Riku Miura/Ryuichi Kihara (JPN) are back in action at the ISU Grand Prix that they missed last year due to injury. The challenge should come from Maria Pavlova/Alexei Sviatchenko (HUN), who won the recent Shanghai Trophy, as well as the 2024 ISU World Junior Champions Anastasiia Metelkina/Luka Berulava (GEO) and the 2024 ISU Four Continents bronze medalists Ellie Kam/Danny O’Shea (USA).
Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava (GEO) perform at the 2024 ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships in Taipei, Chinese Taipei © ISU
Two-time & reigning ISU World Ice Dance Champions Madison Chock/Evan Bates (USA) are back on home ice and aiming for their fifth Skate America title. Looking to challenge the World Champions are two-time ISU European Ice Dance silver medalists Lilah Fear/Lewis Gibson (GBR). The battle for the podium will be exciting, with Diana Davis/Gleb Smolkin (GEO), Marie-Jade Lauriault/Romain Le Gac (CAN) and Olivia Smart/Tim Dieck (ESP) all competing. ISU World Junior Champions Leah Neset/Artem Markelov (USA) and ISU World Junior silver medalists Elizabeth Tkachenko/Alexei Kiliakov (ISR) will debut at the senior level ISU Grand Prix.
Madison Chock and Evan Bates (USA) at the 2024 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Montreal, Canada © ISU
A total of 60 Skaters/Couples representing 17 countries will compete in the Credit Union of Texas Event Center. For full entries, schedules & results, see the ISU Grand Prix Series Page, the ISU GP Skate America event page, and the official Skate America website.
Check out the ISU Grand Prix Standings to find out who is on their way to qualify for the Final (data will be available after the conclusion of the first event):
Men Women Pair Skating Ice Dance
What & When
The schedule of Skate America is as follows:
Friday, Oct 18: Pairs & Women’s Short Programs
Saturday, Oct 19: Rhythm Dance, Pairs Free Skating, Men’s Short Program & Women’s Free Skating
Sunday, Oct 20: Men’s Free Skating & Free Dance, Exhibition Gala
Follow the ISU Grand Prix Series
The schedules of each ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating event are available below:
- 18 - 20 Oct 2024 Skate America in Allen, TX (USA)
- 25 - 27 Oct 2024 Skate Canada International in Halifax (CAN)
- 01 - 03 Nov 2024 Grand Prix de France in Angers (FRA)
- 08 - 10 Nov 2024 NHK Trophy in Tokyo (JPN)
- 15- 17 Nov 2024 Finlandia Trophy in Helsinki (FIN)
- 22 - 24 Nov 2024 Cup of China in Chongqing (CHN)
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final:
- 05 - 08 Dec 2024 Grenoble/FRA
About ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series started in 1995 (previously known a s the ISU Champions Series) and consists of six invitational international senior events and the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. The top six of the past World Championships are seeded. Competitors collect points in their events towards the qualification for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. Only the top six Skaters / Couples in each discipline can qualify for the Final.
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