The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating edges past its halfway point this weekend as Skate America takes place in Everett, Washington State.
When is it on?
Skate America begins Friday, 13 November with the men’s short programme and concludes Sunday, 15 November with the women’s free skating.
Who is skating?
The highlight of the men’s event will undoubtedly be the season debut of three-time World champion Ilia Malinin (USA). If the American does not take the title it will be a major surprise. 2025 European champion Lukas Britschgi (SUI) competed at Budapest Trophy last month where he finished third. Daniel Grassl (ITA) bested the Swiss skater in Hungary to win the event. The Italian also finished second at Nepela Memorial back in September. Aleksandr Selevko (EST) had been poised to claim a medal at Grand Prix de France, but ultimately faded to fourth.
Ami Nakai (JPN) triumphed at Grand Prix de France last month and if her triple Axel is secure she will be tough to beat. Alexandra Ignatova (AIN2*) is coming off the back of silver medal at last weekend’s Cup of China and will battle with Nakai to go one place higher in Everett. Sofia Samodelkina (KAZ) was fifth in a high quality field at Skate Canada International and could make the podium this time round.
Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin (GER) are back to competition for the first time since winning the World Championships back in March. After bagging silver at Skate Canada International, Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov (USA) could book their ticket to the Grand Prix Final with another good placement. Oxana Vouillamoz and Tom Bouvart (SUI) ranked just behind the Americans in Kelowna making history as the first Swiss pair team to win a Grand Prix medal.
Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik (USA) will be competing in their first event of the season aiming to win the first Grand Prix title of their careers. Evgeniia Lopareva and Geoffrey Brissaud (FRA) picked up silver at Skate Canada International and will look for at least a similar result to qualify themselves for the Grand Prix Final. Katerina Mrazkova and Daniel Mrazek (CZE) missed their opening Grand Prix assignment due to injury.
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?
Afternoon till evening in North America, evening till early morning in Europe and late night till 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 Everett 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
