– Moscow, Russia
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2015/2016 continues this week with the Rostelecom Cup in Moscow (RUS), November 20 to 22. Skaters compete for points to qualify for the Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final and a prize money of US $ 180,000 per individual event of the Grand Prix. Several skaters have the chance to book their ticket for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final.
Overview over the top contenders
Reigning World Champion Javier Fernandez (ESP) headlines the Men’s event. Following his victory at Audi Cup of China, the three-time European Champion aims at the top of the podium again and wants to secure his spot in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Barcelona. The challenge should come from reigning European bronze medalist Sergei Voronov (RUS), 2014 World Junior Champion Nam Nguyen (CAN), Adam Rippon (USA) and Takahiko Kozuka (JPN). Mikhail Kolyada (RUS) debuts at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating and has shown good results at the Challenger Series.
The Ladies event promises exciting competition with reigning Olympic Champion Adelina Sotnikova (RUS), reigning World Junior Champion Evgenia Medvedeva (RUS), reigning World bronze medalist Elena Radionova (RUS) and 2015 Four Continents bronze medalist Rika Hongo (JPN). Medvedeva comes with a gold from Progessive Skate America, while Hongo has a silver from Audi Cup of China and Radionova a bronze from the same event. Also competing are Skate Canada International bronze medalist Yuka Nagai (JPN) and 2015 Four Continents Champion Polina Edmunds (USA).
2015 European Champions Yuko Kavaguti/Alexander Smirnov (RUS) lead the Pairs and travel with a gold from Audi Cup of China to Moscow. Competition should come from Cheng Peng/Hao Zhang (CHN), 2014 Olympic and World silver medalists Ksenia Stolbova/Fedor Klimov and Skate Canada International bronze medalists Kirsten Moore-Towers/Michael Marinaro (CAN).
In the Ice Dance event, 2015 World bronze medalists Kaitlyn Weaver/Andrew Poje (CAN) will face 2014 World Champions Anna Cappellini/Luca Lanotte (ITA). The Canadians had won their home event in Lethbridge while the Italians struck gold in Beijing. Russian Champions Elena Ilinykh/Ruslan Zhiganshin and Skate America silver medalists Victoria Sinitsina/Nikita Katsalapov (RUS) are podium contenders as well and hope to qualify for Barcelona.
A total of 55 skaters/couples from 13 ISU members compete at Rostelecom Cup. For full entry lists of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2015/16 please refer to www.isu.org under Single& Pair Skating/Ice Dance then select Grand Prix.
The schedule of Rostelecom Cup is as follows:
Friday, November 20: Short Dance, Men’s, Pairs and Ladies Short Program
Saturday, November 21: Free Dance, Men’s, Pairs and Ladies Free Skating
Sunday, November 22: Exhibition Gala
