The third stage of this season’s ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating takes place this weekend in Shenzhen, China.
When is it on?
Cup of China begins Friday, 6 November with the rhythm dance and concludes Sunday, 8 November with the exhibition gala.
Who is skating?
The men’s event in Shenzhen sees Vladislav Dikidzhi (AIN2*) make his Grand Prix debut. He has won two Challenger Series events this season – Kinoshita Group Cup and Denis Ten Memorial. Evgeni Semenenko (AIN2*) makes his return to the Grand Prix for the first time since 2021. He finished third behind Dikidzhi at Kinoshita Group Cup and won Nepela Memorial in September. 2026 Olympic champion Mikhail Shaidorov (KAZ) had an awful opening assignment at Grand Prix de France where he came 10th and effectively ended his chances of advancing to the Grand Prix Final. He has literally nothing to lose. 2026 Olympic bronze medallist Shun Sato (JPN) was second at Kinoshita Group Cup this season and will be aiming to get the Grand Prix off to a positive start. Kao Miura (JPN) and Minkyu Seo (KOR) were second and third respectively at Grand Prix de France two weeks ago and will have their work cut out for them in this tough field to grab a place at the Grand Prix Final.
2026 World silver medallist Mone Chiba (JPN) commences her season at Cup of China. 2022 Olympic silver medallist Alexandra Ignatova (AIN2*) lost to Skate Canada champion Mao Shimada (JPN) at Kinoshita Group Cup and won gold at Denis Ten Memorial last month. Anastasiia Gubanova (GEO) and Lara Naki Gutmann (ITA) took silver and bronze respectively at Grand Prix de France and will be pushing here to pick up spots in the women’s event at the Grand Prix Final.
Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava (GEO) dominated the pairs at Grand Prix de France and barring disaster in China will comfortably secure their place at the Grand Prix Final. 2022 Olympic bronze medallists Anastasia Mishina and Aleksandr Galliamov (AIN2*) are back on the Grand Prix circuit for the first time since 2021. They won the Trialeti Trophy last month. After finishing fourth at this year’s World Championships back in March, Yuna Nagaoka and Sumitada Moriguchi (JPN) have struggled with injuries, and this will be their first event of the season.
It’s back-to-back Grand Prix competitions for ice dancers Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson (GBR) and they will be hoping to replicate the scores that put them on top of the podium last weekend in Canada. Olivia Smart and Tim Dieck (ESP) get their Grand Prix season under way after winning Nepela Memorial in September and coming second at Budapest Trophy last month. Diana Davis and Gleb Smolkin (GEO) nabbed silver at Grand Prix de France – their first ever Grand Prix medal of any colour. Natalie Taschlerova and Filip Taschler (CZE) participated in three Challenger Series events already this season with their best result victory at Budapest Trophy over Smart and Dieck.
Everything you need to know (and some things you did not) about the skaters, the competition schedule and results can be viewed here.
*AIN is the designation for athletes from countries sanctioned for breaking the Olympic Truce in 2022 by invading Ukraine.
When is the skating on?
Late night till early morning in North America, morning till lunchtime in Europe and afternoon till evening in Asia. The times listed for Cup of China are local and if you want to know what the time difference is between where you are and Shenzhen then this link is your friend.
Where can I watch the pretty skaters?
Check out this link where you can find out where to watch the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix.
What are the hashtags?
#GPFigure #FigureSkating
