Olympic Champion Zagitova (RUS) to start her Grand Prix season at Internationaux de France

: 30 October 2019

Grenoble, France

Olympic and World Champion Alina Zagitova (RUS) and World Ice Dance Champions Gabriella Papadakis/ Guillaume Cizeron (FRA) start their Grand Prix season at the Internationaux de France in Grenoble this week, the third stop of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. World Champion Nathan Chen (USA) enters his second event and aims at sealing his spot in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Torino (ITA).

Alina Zagitova (RUS) at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2019©International Skating Union (ISU)

Zagitova (RUS), Chen (USA), Uno (JPN), Papadakis/Cizeron (FRA) headline Internationaux de France

Nathan Chen (USA) leads the Men and is aiming at another gold medal and at the ticket to Turin following his confident win at Skate America. Olympic silver medalist Shoma Uno (JPN) competes in his first Grand Prix event this season and wants to challenge the leader. Several other men are hoping for a podium finish in Grenoble: Kevin Aymoz (FRA), 2018 Rostelecom Cup silver medalist Morisi Kvitelashvili (GEO), 2019 European silver medalist Alexander Samarin (RUS) as well as 2018 ISU Grand Prix Finalist Sergei Voronov (RUS). 2019 World Junior Champion Tomoki Hiwatashi (USA) debuts on the senior circuit.

ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Standings Men

Alina Zagitova headlines the Ladies event in what is her first full competition this season. Competition should come from 2018 Four Continents Champion Kaori Sakamoto (JPN), who wants to improve on her fourth-place finish from Skate America and as well as from ISU Junior Grand Prix Final Champion and Grand Prix debutant Alena Kostornaia (RUS). Other contenders include 2018 World silver medalist Wakaba Higuchi (JPN) and 2019 Nebelhorn Trophy Champion Mariah Bell (USA).

ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Standings Ladies

The Pairs event looks open with several talented teams eyeing the podium. Daria Pavliuchenko/Denis Khodykin (RUS) come off a silver medal from Skate America and want to book their spot in the Final. Skate America bronze medalists Haven Denney/Brandon Frazier (USA) also have a chance to qualify, but both teams need to watch out for 2019 World Junior Champions Anastasia Mishina/Alexander Galliamov (RUS), who debut on the senior series. U.S. Champions Ashley Cain-Gribble/Timothy LeDuc hope to do better than at Skate America where they finished fifth. Other competitors include Miriam Ziegler/Severin Kiefer (AUT) and Minerva Fabienne Hase/Nolan Seegert (GER).

ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Standings Pairs

Four-time World Champions Gabriella Papadakis/Guillaume Cizeron enter their first competition this season. The battle for the medals will be exciting with 2019 European bronze medalists Charlene Guignard/Marco Fabbri (ITA), 2019 Four Continents Champions Madison Chock/Evan Bates (USA) and ISU Grand Prix Finalists Tiffani Zagorski/Jonathan Guerreiro (RUS). Other contenders include Olivia Smart/Adrian Diaz (ESP) and 2018 Four Continents silver medalists Carolane Soucisse/Shane Firus (CAN).

ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Standings Ice Dance

Schedule of the event

Friday, Nov 1             Men’s Short Program, Rhythm Dance, Ladies & Pairs Short Programs
Saturday, Nov 2          Men’s Free Skating, Free Dance, Ladies & Pairs Free Skating
Sunday, Nov 3            Exhibition Gala

Overall, 59 Skaters / Couples representing 13 ISU Members compete at Internationaux de France November 1-3. The top 6 qualifiers of the Grand Prix series in each discipline will proceed to the Final in Torino (ITA), December 5 to 8, 2019. Full entry lists, results, the General Announcement of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series are available on isu.org.

Where to watch and follow the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2019?

Viewers will be able to watch the Series either via their national broadcaster / channel and for countries where there are no broadcasters, the ISU will offer a live stream on the Skating ISU YouTube Channel as of season 2019/20. You will find the full list in the Where to watch news here.

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