ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating

The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating (ISU Champions Series from 1995 to 1997) is a series of senior international figure skating competitions organized by the International Skating Union. The invitational series was inaugurated in 1995, incorporating several previously existing events. Medals are awarded in the disciplines of men's singles, ladies' singles, pair skating, and ice dancing. The junior-level equivalent is the ISU Junior Grand Prix.

Summary

Competitions

Currently, the sanctioned competitions for the Grand Prix are:

Skate America. First held in 1979 as Norton Skate, the event is part of the series since 1995 and its location changes yearly.

Skate Canada International. First held in 1973, the event is part of the series since 1995 and its location changes yearly.

Cup of China. It was created in 2003 and joined the Grand Prix series in the same year, replacing the German event. It has been held in Beijing, Shanghai, Harbin, and Nanjing.

Trophée Éric Bompard (Earlier names: Grand Prix International de Paris from 1987 to 1993, Trophée de France from 1994 to 1995, Trophée Lalique from 1996 to 2003). First held in 1987, the event is part of the series since 1995 and adopted its current name in 2004. It is almost always held in Paris — the four exceptions were 1991 (Albertville), 1994 (Lyon), 1995 (Bordeaux), and 2014 (Bordeaux).

Figure skating

Figure skating is a sport and activity in which individuals, duos, or groups perform on figure skates on ice. It was the first winter sport included in the Olympics, in 1908. The four Olympic disciplines are men's singles, ladies' singles, pair skating, and ice dancing. Non-Olympic disciplines include synchronized skating and four skating. From intermediate through senior-level competition, skaters generally perform two programs (short and long) which, depending on the discipline, may include spins, jumps, moves in the field, lifts, throw jumps, death spirals, and other elements or moves.

The blade has a groove on the bottom creating two distinct edges — inside and outside. In figure skating, the skater should glide on one edge of the blade and not on both at the same time, which is referred to as a flat edge. During a spin, skaters use the "sweet spot" of the blade, which is the roundest portion of the blade, just behind the pick and near the middle of the blade. Skates used in single and pair skating have a set of large, jagged teeth called toe picks on the front of the blade. Toe picks are mainly used in the take-off for jumps. Ice dancing blades are an inch shorter in the rear and have smaller toe picks.

Grand Prix

Grand Prix (French pronunciation: ​[ɡʁɑ̃pʁi], meaning Grand Prize; plural Grands Prix) may refer to:

Sports competitions

Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final

The Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final is an international, senior-level figure skating competition. It is the culmination of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. Skaters compete in men's singles, ladies' singles, pair skating, and ice dancing.

The competition was titled the Champions Series Final until 1998. Its name is often shortened to Grand Prix Final and abbreviated as GPF. While not an ISU Championship, the Grand Prix Final has been considered by the ISU itself to be the second most important competition (after the World Championships) in a season, ahead of the European Championships and the Four Continents Championships.

The Grand Prix Final is the culmination of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series, which consists of the Skate America, Skate Canada International, Trophée Eric Bompard, Cup of China, Cup of Russia, and NHK Trophy competitions. Skaters earn points according to placement on the Grand Prix series. The top six skaters or teams from each discipline compete in the Final.

ISU Junior Grand Prix

The ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating (titled the ISU Junior Series in the 1997–1998 season) is a series of international junior-level competitions organized by the International Skating Union. Medals are awarded in the disciplines of men's singles, ladies' singles, pair skating, and ice dancing. The series was inaugurated in 1997 to complement the senior-level ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating. Skaters earn qualifying points at each Junior Grand Prix event and the six highest-ranking qualifiers meet at the ISU Junior Grand Prix Final, which is held concurrently with the Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final.

Competitions

The junior version of the Grand Prix series was established in the 1997–98 season. There are generally seven qualifying events which lead to a final. All seven hold competitions in men's singles, ladies singles, and ice dancing. Four or five of the events also include a pairs competition. The locations of the ISU Junior Grand Prix events change yearly. The eighth event is the ISU Junior Grand Prix Final. Beginning in the 2008–09 season, it has been held concurrently with the senior final.