ISU GP 2018/19 - Event #6 - Internationaux de France - Nov. 23-25

[Elizabeth]

The current entries, by discipline: http://www.isuresults.com/events/fsevent03111630.htm

The time and practice schedule: http://www.isuresults.com/schedules/gpf ... hedule.pdf

[happyheini]

Looking through the attendee's lists for next GP events it becomes apparent that only a handful of Canadian skaters are taking part in the series. This is of course due to our best skaters retiring and some of the remaining skaters sitting out the GP. It also shows the "big guns" of the world are still to compete. I am keeping my fingers crossed that we will see a good contingent of Canadians at the GP Final in Vancouver.

[Elizabeth]

Looking through the attendee's lists for next GP events it becomes apparent that only a handful of Canadian skaters are taking part in the series. This is of course due to our best skaters retiring and some of the remaining skaters sitting out the GP. It also shows the "big guns" of the world are still to compete. I am keeping my fingers crossed that we will see a good contingent of Canadians at the GP Final in Vancouver.

I doubt that there will be a "good contingent" of Canadians on the ice but there will be in the stands In the JGP final there is only a single CDN ice dance team qualified. There may be a handful of senior CDN skaters, for the reasons you mention, or there may sadly be none. All of this fits with my expectations for this season for the GPF, a sort of mini-Worlds.

[happyheini]

It still will interesting to watch - as you say, we don't often have the chance to see the international skaters live. Roll on...

[Elizabeth]

And now a couple of withdrawals from this event, the last of the GP series - one in pairs according to IFS Magazine:

U.S. pairs Haven Denney and Brandon Frazier have withdrawn from the French Grand Prix.

This withdrawal is within the "window" where a replacement is not necessary but it's possible that France will add another pair.

One of the French entries in the men's event has also withdrawn, Chafik Besseghier. He might be replaced, if they have another possible "home" entry.

[Elizabeth]

Nathan Chen was in Moscow during the Rostelecom Cup - he was spotted in the audience watching the competition. He flew there to train for a week with his coach Rafael Arutyunyan before his second GP, in Grenoble, France. A better alternative to their training via Skype now that he is at university on the east coast.

A photo from training today which includes Tatiana Tarasova

[Elizabeth]

Skate Canada is sending 5 skaters to this event: https://skatecanada.ca/2018/11/five-can ... de-france/

PJ Kwong talked to Piper and Paul about the upcoming competition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOSsSMw ... outu.be&a=

The latest entries, by discipline, are here: http://www.isuresults.com/events/fsevent03111630.htm

The time and practice schedule (Grenoble time): http://www.isuresults.com/schedules/gpf ... hedule.pdf

[Elizabeth]

Danielle Earl is in extended travel status but still provided her time conversion via Twitter - please note that the times in EST for the first two events on Saturday should be A.M. not P.M.

[Elizabeth]

Practices are going on today.

The fields for the men's and pairs events are each short one entry. The men might have been short one more if Bojang Jin of China had not received his visa at the very last minute.

The draws for start order have all been done and the Entries/Start Orders/Results page is now available: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1819/gpfra2018/

[Elizabeth]

PJ Kwong's preview article includes her top of the podium picks - do you agree? https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/figu ... -1.4915176

The live stream will be available from the link here: https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/figu ... -1.4914648

[Elizabeth]

Before her second GP, Bev Smith provides some information about Evgenia Medvedeva (and Brian Orser) and her journey so far this season: https://bevsmithwrites.com/medvedevas-journey/

[happyheini]

Very interesting and insightful as to how coaches and skaters work together. She is a fighter and will come out fighting again.

[Elizabeth]

Announced by the ISU via Twitter:

Nicolas Nadeau (CAN) has withdrawn from the Men's event at GP France due to medical reasons. He injured his back during the Short Program. We wish a a quick recovery.

That's unfortunate I hope his injury is not serious.