ISU Grand Prix Series 2020-2021 (& other internationals) - with NEW GP UPDATES

[Elizabeth]

The short story is that there will be GP events but they will definitely be different; details are still to be finalized; the GPF details are also still TBD.

Here's a link to the Press Release after yesterday's Council meeting: https://www.isu.org/media-centre/press- ... 20-21/file

This is the associated news item: https://www.isu.org/figure-skating/news ... teParam=15

The official report of ISU Council decisions: https://www.isu.org/inside-isu/isu-comm ... -2020/file

[Elizabeth]

Note these additional decisions from the Council meeting

[Elizabeth]

Evgenia Medvedeva is currently in Russia but continuing to be coached by and doing "virtual" training under Brian Orser. Brian is reported in the Russian press to have said:

As soon as we pass the test event in Russia, we will see what options we have for Evgenia (about the Grand Prix stages). We live in a strange time.

The Russian test skates take place Sept. 12 & 13 in Moscow. Since she technically trains in Canada, it might be possible for her to return to Toronto, self-quarantine, and then compete in the Skate Canada event in late October.

[kittykins]

Thanks for the info. At this point we'll take anything, lol. I think it should still be quite good, particularly for Skate Canada International, with so many skaters training here. Fingers crossed!

[Elizabeth]

Here's a related update regarding the international skaters who train with Brian & Tracy at the Cricket Club with references to the GP: https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2020/08/ ... ix-series/

[kittykins]

Thanks for the excellent article. I was wondering that very thing.

[Elizabeth]

Here's a reiteration/clarification from the ISU which was issued on August 10th: https://www.isu.org/figure-skating/rule ... d-tes/file

[Elizabeth]

The ISU has published a complete listing of "International Single & Pair Skating, Ice Dance and Synchronized Skating Competitions 2020/21" as of July 31, 2020 here:
https://isu.org/figure-skating/rules/fs ... 20-21/file

There is an important caveat:

Due to the current pandemic, new International Competitions, cancellations, postponements or changes of venues might happen any time. All changes will be reflected in the ISU event calendar available on www.isu.org/events

[Elizabeth]

The Finlandia Trophy Espoo, scheduled for 9-11 Oct. 2020, has been cancelled but may take place virtually: https://www.finlandiatrophy.com/en/2020 ... aalisesti/

It is part of the ISU Challenger Series.

[Elizabeth]

The Japan Skating Federation has announced that Yuzuru Hanyu will miss the GP series this season.

He cited three reasons:

• his asthma;
• his coach being in Canada and him having to quarantine for 2 week if he returns;
• the infection risk to fans.

Read more in this article: https://www.olympicchannel.com/en/stori ... es-asthma/

[Elizabeth]

The latest Communique from the ISU after the Council meeting of Aug. 28th: https://www.isu.org/inside-isu/isu-comm ... -2020/file

[Elizabeth]

The figure skating-specific guidelines for competitions as referenced in the communique above: https://www.isu.org/docman-documents-li ... 08-31/file

[Elizabeth]

Various online sources are indicating that the ISU Executive Committee will be meeting next week and we can expect announcements regarding participants in the GP series after that meeting.

In the meantime, it is being reported that Skate America will not be taking place in Las Vegas, as planned, but at a brand new arena in Henderson, NV and there will be no audience permitted.

[Elizabeth]

The ISU announced today that the Grand Prix Final in Beijing, an Olympic Test Event, has been cancelled/postponed.

From: https://www.isu.org/isu-news/news/145-n ... teParam=15

Considering the pandemic developments and related impact on the organizers and participants of ISU Events, the ISU Council decided to cancel or postpone the following ISU Events:

* ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, Beijing/China - December 10-13, 2020 (Olympic Test Event)

* ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating, Seoul, December 11-13, 2020

* ISU World Cup Short Track, Beijing, December 18-20, 2020 (Olympic Test Event)

Concerning the Olympic Test Events in Beijing there were also a number of logistical points raised by potentially participating teams that meant that hosting the competitions on the scheduled dates (close to the end of year holidays and National Championships) would have impacted on the number of participants, given the potential need to quarantine on returning to their home country.

The ISU, in consultation with all stakeholders and considering the pandemic developments, is evaluating the continuation of the 2020/21 season, in particular the re-scheduling possibilities for the important Olympic Test Events. The ISU will communicate the conclusions at a later date

[Elizabeth]

The long-awaited announcement is out regarding the fields for the Grand Prix events based on the criteria published in the main announcement:
https://isu.org/docman-documents-links/ ... 20-21/file

CURRENT ENTRIES (as of 1 October)

• Ladies: https://isu.org/docman-documents-links/ ... ments/file
• Men: https://isu.org/docman-documents-links/ ... ments/file
• Pairs: https://isu.org/docman-documents-links/ ... ments/file
• Ice Dance: https://isu.org/docman-documents-links/ ... ments/file

Skate America will not be permitting an audience. USFS is allowing people to purchase "cut-outs" of themselves to be in the arena in support of their Memorial Fund. There is no word yet about the other events. The Grand Prix Final is either postponed or cancelled.

A statement on Twitter from the ISU about the competitors:

The ISU #GPFigure events are primarily domestically run events. Selected skaters must reside/train in one of the Grand Prix Member countries, or have no travel restrictions to travel to a Grand Prix Member country in the nearby area.

[Elizabeth]

There will be NO tickets sold for Skate Canada International in Ottawa Oct. 30-31, 2020. Skate Canada will be announcing how fans can follow the event virtually according to their news release linked below.

https://skatecanada.ca/2020/10/canadian ... ouncement/

[Elizabeth]

From IFS Magazine on Twitter:

Madison Chock/Evan Bates have withdrawn from Skate America.

“Our training and preparation have been affected by the pandemic and at this time we are 100% focused on our preparation for the 2021 U.S. Championships. We will be staying at our training base in Montreal.”

Based on the fact that Madison was recovering from an injury and they didn't participate in the live streamed event at I.AM, this doesn't surprise me, especially with issues around cross-border travel and Montreal's "red zone" condition.

There have been a few other withdrawals based on updated grids by discipline dated today:

• Ladies: https://www.isu.org/docman-documents-li ... ments/file
• Men: https://www.isu.org/docman-documents-li ... ments/file
• Pairs: https://www.isu.org/docman-documents-li ... ments/file
• Ice Dance: https://www.isu.org/docman-documents-li ... ments/file

[Elizabeth]

There continue to be withdrawals and new assignments to the remaining 5 GP events, the first one of which, Skate America, begins later this week. The latest versions of the assignments by discipline can be found on the ISU website:

• Ladies - https://www.isu.org/docman-documents-li ... ments/file
• Men - https://www.isu.org/docman-documents-li ... ments/file
• Pairs - https://www.isu.org/docman-documents-li ... ments/file
• Ice Dance - https://www.isu.org/docman-documents-li ... ments/file

Skate America will have one participant representing Canada: https://skatecanada.ca/2020/10/one-cana ... e-america/
There will also be two US dance teams who train in Montreal participating in Skate America.

[Elizabeth]

OOPS - there are now only 4 remaining GP events - it has just been announced that the Internationaux de France slated to take place in Grenoble between November 12 to 15th has been cancelled.

The announcement from the French federation on Twitter:

Suite aux récentes annonces d'Emmanuel Macron concernant la Covid-19, la Fédération Française des Sports de Glace, en accord avec @GrenobleAlpes, est au regret d’annoncer l’annulation des Internationaux de France de patinage, initialement prévus du 13 au 15 novembre 2020

The ISU press release: https://www.isu.org/isu-news/news/125-g ... teParam=15

[Elizabeth]

With one event done and two cancelled, the entry lists continue to be updated. The latest withdrawal from the Cup of China was Sui & Han - he had surgery earlier this year and requires more time for healing and training before competing. The Cup of China will be held without an audience.

The latest lists, by discipline:

• Ladies: https://www.isu.org/docman-documents-li ... ments/file
• Men: https://www.isu.org/docman-documents-li ... ments/file
• Pairs: https://www.isu.org/docman-documents-li ... ments/file
• Ice Dance: https://www.isu.org/docman-documents-li ... ments/file

[Elizabeth]

The GP Final will NOT take place in Beijing but may still take place somewhere else - possibilities being considered per: https://www.isu.org/isu-news/news/145-n ... teParam=15