Figure skating season
Encyclopedia
The figure skating season is the period of time in which competitions are contested
in the sport of figure skating
. The skating season begins on July 1 of one year and goes until the end of June of the next. The seasons are referred to by the years they span. For example, the 2006/2007 season began in July 2006 and ended in June 2007.
brought five of the most popular senior events together into a series offering prize money in response to the then-success of professional skating. The events were Skate America
, Skate Canada International
, Trophée de France
, Nations Cup (later known as Sparkassen Cup and Bofrost Cup), and the NHK Trophy
. They comprised the Champions Series, since renamed the Grand Prix of Figure Skating, and took up the fall. They concluded with a Final held in the spring before the World Championships in which the top six skaters in each discipline compete against each other. In 2001, the Final was moved to December. This leads to the confusion of having had two Finals within one calendar year. In 1996, a sixth event was added: the Cup of Russia
. The event in Germany was replaced in 2003 with the Cup of China
.
Other internationals traditionally held in the fall, such as the Nebelhorn Trophy
, exist independently of the Grand Prix circuit.
In 1997, the ISU instituted the ISU Junior Series
, since renamed the ISU Junior Grand Prix, which contains more competitions than its senior counterpart and allows more skaters to compete in the Final. The Final was originally held in March, but was moved to December in 1999. The Junior Grand Prix currently holds its first competition in August and so kicks off the ISU calendar of competitions for the season.
. It usually takes place in January. The European Championships, often referred to informally as Europeans, is the oldest of the five championships. It is open to skaters from European Member Nations of the ISU
.
The next one held is the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships
. It usually takes place in early February. The Four Continents Championships were established in 1999 to be the equivalent of Europeans for skaters from non-European Member Nations.
The World Junior Figure Skating Championships
, often informally called Junior Worlds or World Juniors, were for many years held in late November or December. Following the 1998/1999 season, they were moved to late February/early March, and have been held after the Four Continents Championships. Even when they were held before the New Year, the events were officially referred to by the next calendar year, and the champions are listed in results by that year. For example, Ilia Klimkin
, who won it in November 1998, is officially the 1999 World Junior Champion. By ISU regulation, the World Junior Championships should be held in the first half of March. The World Junior Championships are open to skaters who fit into a certain age category. Currently, skaters must be between the ages of 13 and 19 (or 13 and 21 for the men in pairs and ice dancing) in order to compete.
The World Figure Skating Championships
, commonly referred to informally as Worlds, are the next ISU Championship to be held. By ISU regulation, they must take place following the fourth Monday in February and there should be at least fourteen days between Worlds and the Four Continents Championships or European Championships, whichever happens later. The World Championships are open to all member nations of the ISU.
The final ISU Championship of the year is the World Synchronized Skating Championships
.
. The Olympics usually take place in February. Since the inception of the Four Continents Championships, both the European and Four Continents Championships have been held before the Olympics, with the World Junior Championships, World Championships, and World Synchronized Skating Championships occurring after.
Unlike in some other sports, there are World Championships in Olympic years.
, a competition for novice, junior, and senior-level skaters, held annually in April.
Club competitions take place over the year, with the largest usually taking place in the summer. Although summer club competitions can be large and attract high-level skaters, they are not prestigious events and do not count towards anything.
Season (sports)
In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an...
in the sport of figure skating
Figure skating
Figure skating is an Olympic sport in which individuals, pairs, or groups perform spins, jumps, footwork and other intricate and challenging moves on ice skates. Figure skaters compete at various levels from beginner up to the Olympic level , and at local, national, and international competitions...
. The skating season begins on July 1 of one year and goes until the end of June of the next. The seasons are referred to by the years they span. For example, the 2006/2007 season began in July 2006 and ended in June 2007.
Fall Internationals
Fall international events have existed for decades. In 1995, the International Skating UnionInternational Skating Union
The International Skating Union is the international governing body for competitive ice skating disciplines, including figure skating, synchronized skating, speed skating, and short track speed skating. It was founded in Scheveningen, Netherlands in 1892, making it one of the oldest international...
brought five of the most popular senior events together into a series offering prize money in response to the then-success of professional skating. The events were Skate America
Skate America
Skate America is an international, senior-level figure skating competition held as part of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. It is organized by the United States Figure Skating Association. The location changes yearly...
, Skate Canada International
Skate Canada International
The Skate Canada International is an international, senior-level invitation-only figure skating competition organized by Skate Canada. It is the second competition of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating. The location changes yearly. Medals are awarded in four disciplines: Ladies' singles, Men's...
, Trophée de France
Trophée Eric Bompard
The Trophée Eric Bompard is an international, senior-level figure skating competition held as part of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. The Trophée Eric Bompard was formerly known as the Trophée Lalique...
, Nations Cup (later known as Sparkassen Cup and Bofrost Cup), and the NHK Trophy
NHK Trophy
The NHK Trophy is an international, senior-level figure skating competition held as part of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. Figure skaters compete in the disciplines of ladies' singles, men's singles, pair skating, and ice dancing....
. They comprised the Champions Series, since renamed the Grand Prix of Figure Skating, and took up the fall. They concluded with a Final held in the spring before the World Championships in which the top six skaters in each discipline compete against each other. In 2001, the Final was moved to December. This leads to the confusion of having had two Finals within one calendar year. In 1996, a sixth event was added: the Cup of Russia
Cup of Russia
The Cup of Russia is an international, senior-level figure skating competition held as part of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. Figure skaters compete in the disciplines of ladies' singles, men's singles, pair skating, and ice dancing. It was held as the Rostelecom Cup in 2009 after...
. The event in Germany was replaced in 2003 with the Cup of China
Cup of China
The Cup of China is an international, senior-level figure skating competition held as part of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. The location changes yearly. Figure skaters compete in the disciplines of ladies' singles, men's singles, pair skating, and ice dancing.The Cup of China is...
.
Other internationals traditionally held in the fall, such as the Nebelhorn Trophy
Nebelhorn Trophy
The Nebelhorn Trophy is an international senior-level figure skating competition organized by the Deutsche Eislauf-Union and held annually in Oberstdorf, Germany. The competition is named after the Nebelhorn, a nearby mountain....
, exist independently of the Grand Prix circuit.
In 1997, the ISU instituted the ISU Junior Series
ISU Junior Grand Prix
The ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating is a series of international invitational junior level competitions organized by the International Skating Union. Junior figure skaters compete in the disciplines of men's singles, ladies' singles, pair skating, and ice dancing...
, since renamed the ISU Junior Grand Prix, which contains more competitions than its senior counterpart and allows more skaters to compete in the Final. The Final was originally held in March, but was moved to December in 1999. The Junior Grand Prix currently holds its first competition in August and so kicks off the ISU calendar of competitions for the season.
National Championships
Most countries hold annual national championships, often referred to informally as Nationals. There is no set specific time in which national championships must be held. While some countries rely on the results of their nationals to choose the teams for the ISU Championships, others have more varied criteria depending on international placement or testing results.ISU Championships
The ISU holds five championships every season. Currently, the first one to be held is the European Figure Skating ChampionshipsEuropean Figure Skating Championships
The European Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition in which figure skaters compete for the title of European Champion...
. It usually takes place in January. The European Championships, often referred to informally as Europeans, is the oldest of the five championships. It is open to skaters from European Member Nations of the ISU
International figure skating
Figure skating is a sport with participants all round the world. Originally based in European countries, the sport has experienced a major expansion in the countries of East Asia....
.
The next one held is the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships
Four Continents Figure Skating Championships
The Four Continents Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition. The International Skating Union established it in 1999 to provide skaters representing non-European countries with a similar competition to the much older European Figure Skating Championships and a chance...
. It usually takes place in early February. The Four Continents Championships were established in 1999 to be the equivalent of Europeans for skaters from non-European Member Nations.
The World Junior Figure Skating Championships
World Junior Figure Skating Championships
The World Junior Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which younger figure skaters compete for the title of World Junior Champion...
, often informally called Junior Worlds or World Juniors, were for many years held in late November or December. Following the 1998/1999 season, they were moved to late February/early March, and have been held after the Four Continents Championships. Even when they were held before the New Year, the events were officially referred to by the next calendar year, and the champions are listed in results by that year. For example, Ilia Klimkin
Ilia Klimkin
Ilia Sergeyevich Klimkin is a Russian figure skater. He is the 1999 World Junior champion, the 2004 European bronze medalist, and a three-time Russian silver medalist.- Career :...
, who won it in November 1998, is officially the 1999 World Junior Champion. By ISU regulation, the World Junior Championships should be held in the first half of March. The World Junior Championships are open to skaters who fit into a certain age category. Currently, skaters must be between the ages of 13 and 19 (or 13 and 21 for the men in pairs and ice dancing) in order to compete.
The World Figure Skating Championships
World Figure Skating Championships
The World Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which elite figure skaters compete for the title of World Champion...
, commonly referred to informally as Worlds, are the next ISU Championship to be held. By ISU regulation, they must take place following the fourth Monday in February and there should be at least fourteen days between Worlds and the Four Continents Championships or European Championships, whichever happens later. The World Championships are open to all member nations of the ISU.
The final ISU Championship of the year is the World Synchronized Skating Championships
World Synchronized Skating Championships
The World Synchronized Skating Championships are the world championships for the sport of synchronized skating. Held since 2000, the World Synchronized Skating Championships is an annual event organized by the International Skating Union and attracts the most elite synchronized skating teams from...
.
The Olympics
Every four years, figure skating is contested at the Winter Olympic GamesWinter Olympic Games
The Winter Olympic Games is a sporting event, which occurs every four years. The first celebration of the Winter Olympics was held in Chamonix, France, in 1924. The original sports were alpine and cross-country skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, Nordic combined, ski jumping and speed skating...
. The Olympics usually take place in February. Since the inception of the Four Continents Championships, both the European and Four Continents Championships have been held before the Olympics, with the World Junior Championships, World Championships, and World Synchronized Skating Championships occurring after.
Unlike in some other sports, there are World Championships in Olympic years.
Other competitions
Other international competitions take place throughout the season. These competitions do not hold the prestige of the Grand Prix or ISU championships, but have an ISU sanction. The international season typically ends with the Triglav TrophyTriglav Trophy
The Triglav Trophy is an annual international figure skating competition held in the spring in Jesenice, Slovenia. The competition takes its name from the nearby mountain Triglav, the highest peak in Slovenia....
, a competition for novice, junior, and senior-level skaters, held annually in April.
Club competitions take place over the year, with the largest usually taking place in the summer. Although summer club competitions can be large and attract high-level skaters, they are not prestigious events and do not count towards anything.
Seasons
- 2008–2009 figure skating season
- 2009–2010 figure skating season
- 2010–2011 figure skating season2010–2011 figure skating seasonThe 2010–2011 figure skating season began on July 1, 2010, and ended on June 30, 2011. During this season, elite skaters competed on the ISU Championship level at the 2011 European, Four Continents, World Junior, and World Championships...
- 2011–2012 figure skating season2011–2012 figure skating seasonThe 2011–2012 figure skating season begins on July 1, 2011, and ends on June 30, 2012. During this season, elite skaters will compete on the ISU Championship level at the 2012 European, Four Continents, World Junior, and World Championships...
- 2012–2013 figure skating season2012–2013 figure skating seasonThe 2012–2013 figure skating season begins on July 1, 2012, and ends on June 30, 2013. During this season, elite skaters will compete on the ISU Championship level at the 2013 European, Four Continents, World Junior, and World Championships...
- 2013–2014 figure skating season2013–2014 figure skating seasonThe 2013–2014 figure skating season begins on July 1, 2013, and ends on June 30, 2014. During this season, elite skaters will compete on the ISU Championship level at the 2014 European, Four Continents, World Junior, and World Championships...