The culmination of this season’s ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating takes place this week in Beijing, China with the cream of skating talent vying for glory as well as up and coming stars of the future in the Junior Grand Prix Final.

When is it on?

The Grand Prix Final and Junior Grand Prix Final begin Thursday, 7 December with the Junior Men short programme and conclude Sunday, 10 December with the exhibition gala.

Who is skating?

Adam Siao Him Fa (FRA) topped the standings to qualify and remains undefeated this season so far. Despite losing to Siao Him Fa at Grand Prix de France, Ilia Malinin (USA) has the highest combined total score from his two assignments. Even though he came second at both of his Grand Prix events, two-time World champion Shoma Uno (JPN) cannot be counted out from retaining his title. Teammates Yuma Kagiyama (JPN) and Kao Miura (JPN) complete a strong trio of Japanese men in Beijing. It is difficult to predict how Kevin Aymoz (FRA) will fare, but we know it will be exciting.

Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) seems to be the clear favourite in the women’s category to win her first Grand Prix Final gold medal. Incredibly the two-time World champion has finished off the podium in her two previous appearances at the event. Loena Hendrickx (BEL) handily won Skate America, but underperformed at Cup of China. If the two-time World medallist is in form this week she may challenge Sakamoto. Isabeau Levito (USA) had a shaky free skate at Grand Prix de France, but the American still managed to pull out a victory. Hana Yoshida (JPN) was a surprise winner at Cup of China beating Hendrickx in Chongqing. Yoshida along with Nina Pinzarrone (BEL) and Rion Sumiyoshi (JPN) are all making their Grand Prix Final debuts.

Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps (CAN) appear at the Grand Prix Final in the pairs event for a second consecutive occasion and will be keen to make amends for their disappointing outing last year in Torino. The Canadians have two Grand Prix wins this season as do Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin (GER). Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud (CAN) came through to win at Grand Prix de France one step on the podium above European champions Sara Conti and Niccolo Maccii (ITA). Rebecca Ghilardi and Filippo Ambrosini (ITA) and Maria Pavlova and Alexei Sviatchenko (HUN) complete the lineup, the latter substitutes for Annika Hocke and Robert Kunkel (GER) who had to withdraw through injury.

Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier (CAN) are seeking to retain the title they took last season. They are the only ice dance team in Beijing who have Grand Prix Final gold to their names. Madison Chock and Evan Bates (USA) are aiming to add the one title that has eluded them so far in their storied careers. Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri (ITA) have the highest points total out of all the teams at the Grand Prix Final, but did suffer a surprise defeat to Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson (GBR) at NHK Trophy. The British team arrive in Beijing arrive fresh from bagging a sixth national title last weekend. Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Nikolaj Sorensen (CAN) and Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha (CAN) round out the field.

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?

Night time till the early hours in North America, morning till lunchtime in Europe and afternoon till evening in Asia. The times listed for the Grand Prix Final are local and if you want to know what the time difference is between where you are and Beijing then this link is your friend.

Where can I watch the pretty skaters?

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

What are the hashtags?

#GPFigure #FigureSkating