The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating makes its first European stop this season with the Grand Prix de France being held in Angers for the third year in a row.

When is it on?

Grand Prix de France begins Friday, 1 November with the women’s short programme and concludes Sunday, 3 November with the exhibition gala.

Who is skating?

Adam Siao Him Fa (FRA) has won the men’s title every time the French Grand Prix has been held in Angers, despite some stiff opposition in previous years. The two-time European champion should have an easier path to victory this year if he is on form. Any number of men could potentially join him on the podium. Mikhail Shaidorov (KAZ) claimed gold at the Denis Ten Memorial Challenge on home ice earlier this month. 2024 European silver medallist Aleksandr Selevko (EST) and 2023 European bronze medallist Lukas Britschgi (SUI) will be aiming to step on the rostrum. 2018 Four Continents gold medallist Boyang Jin (CHN) and 2022 Four Continents silver medallist Kazuki Tomono (JPN) could also be in with a shout.

The withdrawal of European champion Loena Hendrickx (BEL) has opened up the women’s field. Wakaba Higuchi (JPN) won her first Grand Prix title at Skate America two weeks ago and will be seeking to book a return trip to France in December for the Grand Prix Final. She will be joined in Angers by her compatriots Rion Sumiyoshi (JPN) and Mai Mihara (JPN). The Japanese will be fighting it out for the medals with among others 2023 European champion Anastasiia Gubanova (GEO), 2024 World bronze medallist Chaeyeon Kim (KOR), 2024 European bronze medallist Nina Pinzarrone (BEL) and American champion Amber Glenn (USA).

Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin (GER) have won every Grand Prix pairs event they have competed in together as a partnership and they will be looking to extend that streak in France. They will be up against 2023 European champions Sara Conti and Niccolo Macii (ITA), 2023 Grand Prix de France defending champions Lia Perreira and Trennt Michaud (CAN) and Ekaterina Geynish and Dmitrii Chigirev (UZB), the latter fresh off a silver medal at Skate Canada last week.

Charlène Guignard and Marco Fabbri (ITA) have made it a habit of winning the ice dance title in Angers and appear to be a safe bet to make it a hat trick this year. Evgeniia Lopareva and Geoffrey Brissaud (FRA) took bronze at Skate Canada last weekend and look likely to step onto to the podium for a second week in a row. 2024 European bronze medallists Allison Reed and Saulius Ambrulevicius (LTU) could be on course to pick up a first Grand Prix de France medal for Lithuania since 2001.

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?

Morning till afternoon in North America, afternoon till evening in Europe and evening till early morning 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 Angers then this link is your friend.

Where can I watch the pretty skaters?

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

What are the hashtags?

#GPFRA #GPFigure #FigureSkating