The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series 2021/22 kicks off with Guaranteed Rate Skate America in Las Vegas (USA) this week. Top athletes such as three-time and reigning World Champion Nathan Chen (USA) start their journey to the Olympic Winter Games in Beijing on the ice in Las Vegas.
Overview of the competitors
Nathan Chen (USA), 2018 Olympic silver medalist Shoma Uno (JPN) and 2019 World bronze medalist Vincent Zhou (USA) headline the Men’s event. Other contenders include Daniel Grassl (ITA), ISU Grand Prix Final bronze medalist Kevin Aymoz (FRA) and Michal Brezina (CZE).
Nathan Chen (USA) © International Skating Union (ISU)
2021 World bronze medalist Alexandra Trusova (RUS) leads the Women in Las Vegas. Competition should come from Kaori Sakamoto (JPN), 2020 Youth Olympic Games Champion Young You (KOR), Amber Glenn (USA), two-time World medalist Satoko Miyahara (JPN) and 2020 World Junior silver medalist Daria Usacheva (RUS), who debuts on the senior Grand Prix. Starr Andrews (USA) replaces Bradie Tennell (USA) who has withdrawn due to injury.
Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) © International Skating Union (ISU)
In the Pairs, expect a tough battle between 2021 World bronze medalists Aleksandra Boikova/Dmitrii Kozlovskii (RUS) and two-time World silver medalists Evgenia Tarasova/Vladimir Morozov (RUS). US Champions Alexa Knierim/Brandon Frazier, the up-and-coming Riku Miura/Ryuichi Kihara (JPN) and Jessica Calalang/Brian Johnson (USA) are aiming for the podium as well.
Aleksandra Boikova/Dmitrii Kozlovskii (RUS) © International Skating Union (ISU)
The Ice Dance event features ISU World silver medalists Madison Hubbell/Zachary Donohue (USA), two-time Four Continents Champions Madison Chock/Evan Bates (USA), Laurence Fournier Beaudry/Nikolaj Sorensen (CAN) and Olivia Smart/Adrian Diaz (ESP).
Madison Hubbell/Zachary Donohue (USA )© International Skating Union (ISU)
Schedule of the event
Friday, October 22 Pairs and Men’s Short Programs
Saturday, October 23 Rhythm Dance, Women’s Short Program, Pairs Free & Men’s Free
Sunday, October 24 Free Dance, Women’s Free Skating, Exhibition Gala
Viewers will be able to watch the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series either via their national broadcaster / channel or via the Skating ISU YouTube Channel for countries where there is no broadcaster agreement in place. For more information please click here.
The General Announcement of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series is available on the ISU website. The individual announcements are published on the respective events’ pages. For full entry lists and further information regarding the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series please visit here. The ISU has an anti-Covid protocol in place to keep all participants of the events as safe as possible.
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series consists of six events: Guaranteed Rate Skate America in Las Vegas (USA) October 22-24, Skate Canada International in Vancouver (CAN) October 29-31, Gran Premio d’Italia in Turin (ITA) November 5-7, NHK Trophy in Tokyo (JPN) November 12-14, Internationaux de France in Grenoble (FRA) November 19-21 and Rostelecom Cup in Sochi (RUS) November 26-28. The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final will take place in Osaka (JPN) December 9-12.
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.
