ISU Grand Prix Final - Osaka, JPN - Dec. 9-12, 2021 - CANCELLED!

[Elizabeth]

The lists, by discipline, for the Junior Grand Prix:

Jr. Men:

Jr. Women:

Jr. Pairs:

Jr. Ice Dance:

NOTE - in Jr. Men and Jr. Women Japan can add one competitor, as the hosts for this event.

[Judy]

It is so sad to look at the qualifiers and see that the event will be completely dominated by one country.
I’d feel the same regardless of the country. Do others feel the same way? Is there a way to rectify the situation? Would it help if the number of places any one country can have were restricted?

[Elizabeth]

It is so sad to look at the qualifiers and see that the event will be completely dominated by one country.
I’d feel the same regardless of the country. Do others feel the same way? Is there a way to rectify the situation? Would it help if the number of places any one country can have were restricted?

This year was bound to be "lop-sided", Judy - neither Japan nor China sent competitors to any of the JGP events - the Japanese, in particular have many good junior skaters. Travel restrictions probably also reduced participation from some other countries. The Russian skaters couldn't travel to France so they got extra entries at two other events. This may have increased the likelihood of their entries in the Final but, let's face it, they have dominated the field a bit now for several years.

Due to this "strange year", the ISU had to come up with a way of identifying qualifiers for the Final and they only did so at the last minute, using something they thought was the best. Hopefully things will revert back to "normal" by next year's series.

[Elizabeth]

With the completion of the full GP series, the top 6 Qualifiers and 3 Alternates/Substitutes in each discipline in the Senior event of the GPF have now been determined:

• Men http://results.isu.org/events/gp2021/gpsmen.htm
• Women http://results.isu.org/events/gp2021/gpswomen.htm
• Pairs http://results.isu.org/events/gp2021/gpspairs.htm
• Ice Dance http://results.isu.org/events/gp2021/gpsdance.htm

The current entries, by discipline (both Senior and Junior), can be seen here: http://results.isu.org/events/fsevent00111008.htm
There may be some changes before the event actually takes place, of course. The Schedule/Entries/Start Orders/Results link will appear on that page in due course.

The full time and practice schedule: http://results.isu.org/schedules/gpf202 ... hedule.pdf

The identification of a new coronavirus variant of concern has caused Japan to close the borders to travel. That raised some concern about the GPF but they are apparently planning to go ahead with events being done in a tight bubble, similar to what was used for the NHK Trophy event some weeks ago. This is not yet official.

[Elizabeth]

Isabeau Levito USA has withdrawn from the Junior Grand Prix Final. First alternate Anastasia Zinina RUS will replace her.

[Elizabeth]

If the GPF goes ahead, CBC has a streaming schedule available here (the times below are ET): https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/wint ... /broadcast

Thu Dec 9
12:15 AM Championship Figure Skating: Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final - Junior Pairs Short Program
1:15 AM Championship Figure Skating: Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final - Junior Men's Short Program
2:30 AM Championship Figure Skating: Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final - Junior Women's Short Program
4:30 AM Championship Figure Skating: Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final - Pairs Short Program
5:50 AM Championship Figure Skating: Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final - Men's Short Program
7:00 AM Championship Figure Skating: Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final - Ice Dance Rhythm Dance

Fri Dec 10
12:55 AM Championship Figure Skating: Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final - Junior Ice Dance Rhythm Dance
2:15 AM Championship Figure Skating: Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final - Junior Pairs Free Program
3:20 AM Championship Figure Skating: Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final - Junior Women's Free Program
4:55 AM Championship Figure Skating: Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final - Women's Short Program
6:10 AM Championship Figure Skating: Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final - Ice Dance Free Dance
11:10 PM Championship Figure Skating: Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final - Junior Ice Dance Free Dance

Sat Dec 11
12:35 AM Championship Figure Skating: Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final - Junior Men's Free Program
2:00 AM Championship Figure Skating: Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final - Pairs Free Program
4:30 AM Championship Figure Skating: Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final - Women's Free Program
5:55 AM Championship Figure Skating: Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final - Men's Free Program

Sun Dec 12
12:30 AM Championship Figure Skating: Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final - Gala

There is no CBC TV coverage planned.

For those with access to NBC-TV:
Sunday, Dec. 12 - ISU Grand Prix Final - 4 – 6 p.m. NBC

[Judy]

Greetings from soggy BC.

Are you finding CBC television coverage of figure skating extremely sparse and disappointing, especially as this is an Olympic season?
Streaming is appreciated but not when you’re using an iPad. ( Guess it’s CBC I should whine to!)

Thanks Elizabeth for all the schedule info, I’d really be lost in the wilderness without you.

May the Omicron variant not be more contagious nor virulent than Delta. We really don’t want to need the entire Greek alphabet naming yet more variants.

[Elizabeth]

Greetings from soggy BC.

Are you finding CBC television coverage of figure skating extremely sparse and disappointing, especially as this is an Olympic season?
Streaming is appreciated but not when you’re using an iPad. ( Guess it’s CBC I should whine to!)

Thanks Elizabeth for all the schedule info, I’d really be lost in the wilderness without you.

May the Omicron variant not be more contagious nor virulent than Delta. We really don’t want to need the entire Greek alphabet naming yet more variants.

The issue is between CBC and the ISU - they don't have a contract for TV coverage but are allowed to re-stream the ISU stream and commentary. CBC now has a contract with Skate Canada for events organized by Skate Canada (e.g. Skate Canada International and Canadians) and they have also have a contract with the IOC for broadcasting and streaming Olympic coverage. As I recall the issue revolved around $$$ as the ISU wanted the CBC to take a package that included all the figure skating but also all the various speed skating competitions at rather a large price.

[Elizabeth]

It's official: https://www.isu.org/isu-news/news/145-n ... teParam=15

The ISU was informed by the Japan Skating Federation (JSF) that the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2021, scheduled to take place from December 9 – 12, 2021 in Osaka (JPN) cannot be held as planned.

Unfortunately, considering the complicated epidemic situation involving travel restrictions, quarantine requirements, safety concerns and logistical challenges, the organization of the event was extremely challenging. The Japan Skating Federation and the Local Organizing Committee tried their best to find solutions but ultimately concluded that, regrettably, they are unable to organize and hold the event as planned.

The ISU regrets that the hosting of the event is no longer possible in Osaka in December. The ISU will evaluate a possible postponement to hold the Event at the end of the season and will take a decision as soon as possible. The ISU thanks the Japan Skating Federation for their efforts and cooperation.

[happyheini]

Here we go again, it must be so frustrating for all involved - as it seems t be for all of us.

[Elizabeth]

Some Canadian skater reactions on the cancellation: https://ca.movies.yahoo.com/figure-skat ... 00803.html

[Elizabeth]

The cancellation is now officially confirmed: https://news.isu.ch/731E-2MQX-B0EDC22E5 ... E8/cr.aspx

ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2021/22 - Cancellation

Lausanne, Switzerland

December 17, 2021

Following the ISU announcement on December 2, 2021 regarding the cancellation of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Osaka (JPN), the ISU evaluated a possible postponement to hold the Event at the end of the season and reached out to the six ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Group to find out if they could host the Event.

Unfortunately, despite all efforts made by the ISU and the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Group, it was impossible to find a solution to maintain this Event.

Consequently, and for the above-mentioned reasons, the ISU Council regrettably decided to cancel the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2021/22.

The ISU regrets that the hosting of the event is no longer possible this season, and thanks the ISU Members for their efforts and cooperation.