The ISU has decided. The international skating body has decided that the next figure skating season will avoid two of the major countries in the discipline, China and Russia. In the first case, the measure is sanitary. In the second, the exclusion is motivated by the conflict in Ukraine. “ Due to the ongoing war in Ukraine and the deterioration of the health situation, the Russian Cup and the Chinese Grand Prix cannot take place“, explained the ISU in a press release. It was also decided that Russian and Belarusian skaters would be banned from international competitions, including Grand Prix, with immediate effect and until further notice. Without the stages in China and Russia, the world figure skating and ice dance circuit will have seven competitions. It will begin in the United States, with Skate America in Norwood (October 21 to 23), continue with Skate Canada in Mississauga (October 28 to 30), then pass through France, to Angers (November 4 to 6). After a fourth stop on the known dates (November 11 to 13), but in the city yet to be determined, the world elite will compete in the NHK Trophy in Sapporo, Japan (November 18 to 20), the Finnish Grand Prix in Espoo ( November 25 to 27), then finally the Grand Prix final in Turin, from December 8 to 11. It will bring together the six best skaters, couples and pairs at the end of the first six stages. Finland will inherit Russia's usual slot (Rostelecom Cup). Last season, the Chinese stage had already been canceled due to the health crisis.
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