Figure Skating Grand Prix Series Kicks Off with Star-Studded Rosters
Table of Contents
The International Skating Union’s Grand Prix Series is set to begin, promising a thrilling season of competition with top skaters from around the globe. The series will unfold across three key events – the NHK Trophy, Skate America, and Finlandia Trophy – each showcasing the best in men’s, women’s, pair, and ice dance disciplines.
NHK Trophy: Osaka, Japan – November 7-9
The season’s first stop, the NHK Trophy in Osaka, Japan, boasts a strong field of competitors. In the men’s event, all eyes will be on Kagiyama Yuma (JPN) and Cha Junhwan (KOR), both established stars on the international circuit. They will be challenged by fellow skaters including Sato Shun (JPN), Matteo Rizzo (ITA), Lukas Britschgi (SUI), and Jin Boyang (CHN).
The women’s competition features reigning Japanese champion Sakamoto Kaori (JPN) alongside rising talents like Loena Hendrickx (BEL) and Nina Pinzarrone (BEL). Higuchi Wakaba (JPN) and Kimmy Repond (SUI) complete the lineup.
The pair skating event will see a showdown between reigning world champions Sui Wenjing and Han Cong (CHN). They will face competition from Sara Conti and Niccolo Macii (ITA), Camille and Pavel Kovalev (FRA), and Maria Pavlova and Alexei Sviatchenko (HUN).
In ice dance, Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri (ITA) are poised to deliver a captivating performance, alongside Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson (GBR), Maia and Alex Shibutani (USA), and Natalie Taschlerova and Filip Taschler (CZE).
Skate America: Lake Placid, New York – November 14-16
Moving to Lake Placid, New York, Skate America promises another exciting chapter in the Grand Prix Series. The men’s event will feature Mikhail Shaidorov (KAZ), alongside Kevin Aymoz (FRA) and American favorite Jason Brown (USA). Tomono Kazuki (JPN), Daniel Grassl (ITA), and Nikolaj Memola (ITA) will also vie for the top spot.
The women’s competition is set to be particularly compelling, with the anticipated debut of Alysa Liu (USA). She will compete against Lee Haein (KOR), Kim Chaeyeon (KOR), and Japanese skaters Higuchi Wakaba (JPN), Watanabe Rinka (JPN), and Yoshida Hana (JPN).
The pair skating event will showcase Miura Riku and Kihara Ryuichi (JPN), hoping to build on their recent successes. They will be challenged by Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava (GEO) and Annika Hocke and Robert Kunkel (GER).
The ice dance field includes Madison Chock and Evan Bates (USA), aiming to continue their winning streak. They will compete against Marjorie LaJoie and Zachary Lagha (CAN), Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko (USA), and Evgeniia Lopareva and Geoffrey Brissaud (FRA).
Finlandia Trophy: Helsinki, Finland – November 21-23
The final event of this initial schedule, the Finlandia Trophy in Helsinki, Finland, will feature a dynamic mix of established and emerging skaters. Kagiyama Yuma (JPN) returns for another appearance in the men’s event, alongside Adam Siao Him Fa (FRA), Jason Brown (USA), Deniss Vasiljevs (LAT), Yamamoto Sota (JPN), and Matteo Rizzo (ITA).
In the women’s competition, Chiba Mone (JPN) will lead the charge, followed by Loena Hendrickx (BEL), Amber Glenn (USA), Matsuike Rino (JPN), Bradie Tennell (USA), and Niina Petrokina (EST).
The pair skating event will see Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin (GER) take to the ice, competing against Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud (CAN), Rebecca Ghilardi and Filippo Ambrosini (ITA), and Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea (USA).
The ice dance competition will be a highlight, featuring Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier (CAN), Maia and Alex Shibutani (USA), Laurence Fournier-Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron (FRA), Natalie Taschlerova and Filip Taschler (CZE), and Olivia Smart and Tim Dieck (ESP).
These three events represent the opening stages of a highly anticipated Grand Prix Series, setting the stage for a captivating season of figure skating excellence.
