As is customary, the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating kicks off with Skate America this weekend with this season’s event taking place in the more intimate Tenley E. Albright Performance Center rink in Norwood, Massachusetts.

When is it on?

Skate America begins Friday, 21 October with the pairs short programme and concludes Sunday, 23 October with the exhibition gala.

Who is skating?

The men’s competition will be missing World silver medallist Yuma Kagiyama (JPN), but all eyes will be on Ilia Malinin (USA) who last month became the first skater ever to land a quadruple Axel. 2022 Four Continents champion Junhwan Cha (KOR) and 2022 European silver medallist Daniel Grassl (ITA) will seek to continue their good form from last season.

Reigning world champion Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) headlines the women’s event. Sakamoto suffered a surprising loss at last month’s Lombardia Trophy in Bergamo, Italy. 2022 Junior World champion Isabeau Levito (USA) makes her Senior Grand Prix debut in Norwood, while 2022 Four Continents silver medallist Haein Lee (KOR) heads a strong trio of Korean skaters.

World champions Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier (USA) are firm favourites to capture the pairs title with the remaining podium spots to be contended amongst the other entrants in the field.

Incredibly Madison Chock and Evan Bates (USA) have not won a Grand Prix title in seven years and will be aiming to correct that in their season debut. Kaitlin Hawayek and Jean-Luc Baker (USA) took silver at Finlandia Trophy earlier this month. Kana Muramoto and Daisuke Takahashi (JPN) hope to be in the mix for the medals.

Everything you need to know (and some things you did not) about the skaters, the competition schedule and results can be viewed here.

When is the skating on?

Primetime in North America, late at night/very early morning in Europe and morning in Asia. The times listed for Skate America are local and if you want to know what the time difference is between where you are and Norwood then this link is your friend.

Where can I watch the pretty skaters?

This season’s Grand Prix series can be viewed on the ISU Skating YouTube channel. Geographic restrictions apply.

What are the hashtags?

#GPFigure #SkateAmerica #FigureSkating