Grand Prix figure skating series downsized to localized events
Skate Canada is scheduled to be held in Ottawa Oct. 29-Nov. 1
The Grand Prix of Figure Skating series is being downsized to more localized events due to the coronavirus.
The International Skating Union said Tuesday that each of the six competitions will feature domestic skaters; those skaters already training in the host nation; and skaters assigned to that event for geographic reasons.
Skate Canada is scheduled to be held in Ottawa Oct. 29-Nov. 1, a week after Skate America will be held in Las Vegas.
No decisions on the Grand Prix final, set for Beijing on Dec. 10-13, have been made. That competition also is expected to serve as a test event for the 2022 Winter Olympics.
The ISU did announce that no international scoring points will be rewarded for any of the Grand Prix series events, which also take place in Canada, Russia, France, China and Japan.
"Considering the continued critical COVID-19 developments involving many travel and other restrictions, and especially risks around the world," the ISU said, "... the health and safety of the participants of international ice skating events remains the No. 1 priority."
All officials at the Grand Prix events also will be from the national organizers.
"Each ISU Grand Prix event will be organized in accordance with the host country's national health/sanitary requirements," the international governing body added.
