For the first time since 2019, Cup of China returns as an international Grand Prix event.

When is it on?

Cup of China begins Friday, 10 November with the rhythm dance and concludes Sunday, 12 November with the exhibition gala.

Who is skating?

Shoma Uno (JPN) headlines the men’s event this weekend. The two-time World champion has not competed since winning the second of his titles last March. He will face stiff opposition from Adam Siao Him Fa (FRA) who is fresh from winning Grand Prix de France last weekend and becoming the first European skater to score over 300 points at an ISU event. Sota Yamamoto (JPN) picked up the Skate Canada title in Vancouver two weeks ago and will be hoping to land on the podium again this time.

Loena Hendrickx (BEL) is aiming to seal her place at the Grand Prix Final after an impressive win at Skate America last month. This is the Belgian’s first time competing at the Chinese Grand Prix event. Yelim Kim (KOR) had a disappointing end to last season, but has started this one with victory at Finlandia Trophy. Niina Petrokina (EST) became the first Estonian skater to win an ISU Grand Prix when she collected bronze at Skate America.

Following a strong performance at Skate Canada, Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps (CAN) should be brimming with confidence to take another Grand Prix title. Annika Hocke and Robert Kunkel (GER) will also arrive in China in good spirits after winning at Skate America. European silver medallists Rebecca Ghilardi and Filippo Ambrosini (ITA) get their Grand Prix campaign under way in a bid to qualify to the Grand Prix Final for a second year in a row.

Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier (CAN) could be the first ice dance team to book themselves a return trip to China for the Grand Prix Final having already easily won Skate Canada. Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha (CAN) will possibly join their Canadian teammates if they can finish second or higher. Caroline Green and Michael Parsons came fourth at Skate America and will be trying to finish one place higher at least this time.

Already qualified for the Grand Prix Final:

Men: Ilia Malinin (USA)
Women: Isabeau Levito (USA)
Pairs: Lia Pereira/Trennt Michaud (CAN)

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?

Middle of the night in North America, morning till lunchtime in Europe and afternoon till evening in Asia. The times listed for Grand Prix de France are local and if you want to know what the time difference is between where you are and Chongqing then this link is your friend.

Where can I watch the pretty skaters?

This season’s Cup of China can be viewed on the Skating ISU YouTube channel. Geographic restrictions apply.

What are the hashtags?

#GPFigure #FigureSkating