ISU Communication 2339: Grand Prix Series 2020-2021
SYWTW FS
The ISU has decided to hold the 2020 senior Grand Prix Series as previously scheduled, but with format changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
[…] In line with the powers granted to the Council as per Article 17.1.q) of ISU Constitution, the Council agreed in principle to the proposal that each individual ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating event of the season 2020/21 becomes a domestic run event. The Council agreement in principle remains subject to the ISU and each of the six organizing ISU Grand Prix Members reaching a detailed agreement.
The participation in each individual ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating event would be limited to:
Competitors and Officials of the host country andCompetitors regularly training in the respective host country andCompetitors from other ISU Members who will be assigned to a Grand Prix of Figure Skating event in the respective geographical area, always subject to the applicable travel, entry and sanitary restrictions of the concerned countries.
All relevant details such as applicable disciplines included in each ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating event, number and criteria/ conditions/restrictions of invited Competitors’ entries, qualification criteria for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, cost responsibilities, qualification and number of Officials, ISU financial & other assistance including Prize Money to the organizing ISU Members, will be worked out by a dedicated ISU Council appointed Working Group in cooperation with the six organizing ISU Members of the individual Grand Prix events and, subject to Council approval, will be published as soon as possible.
Each ISU Grand Prix event will be organized in accordance with the host country’s national health/sanitary requirements. Unless being in conflict with such national health/sanitary requirements, the ISU Guidelines to hold ISU Events during the COVID-19 Pandemic shall basically also apply. These Guidelines are currently being prepared and will be published as soon as possible.
For the sake of fairness, no World Standing/Ranking points will be awarded and the scores obtained by the Competitors shall not count towards the Minimum Total Elements Scores applicable for ISU Championships (Point 3 below to be considered in this respect).
The ISU Grand Prix events will in principle be broadcasted by the usual right holding media partners of the ISU respectively the organizing ISU Members.
The staging of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, time being planned to be held on December 10-13, 2020 in Beijing as Test Event for the 2022 Olympic Winter Games, will be discussed with the ISU’s Chinese counterparts in order to conclude whether and when the Final can be held and under which conditions. The ISU will update the stakeholders as soon as a conclusion can be confirmed.
Challenger Series in Figure Skating
Similar to the situation of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating, the holding of Challenger Series events during the season 2020/21 will most likely be complicated and if held, only be accessible to a limited number of Competitors. The Council therefore decided that for the sake of fairness, no World Standing/Ranking points will be awarded and the scores obtained by the Competitors shall count towards the Minimum Total Elements Scores only if the respective ISU Rules (Rule 420 and ISU Communication 2303) are respected (Point 3 below also to be considered in this respect).
ISU Figure Skating Championships 2021 – Minimum Total Element Scores
As stated in ISU Communication 2332, the Council decided to keep the same Minimum Total Element Scores necessary for participation in the 2021 ISU Figure Skating Championships and earned at competitions in the season 2019/20 and in the season 2020/21 as approved for the 2020 Championships. However, the Council at that time also indicated, and herewith reiterates, that in case that due to the COVID-19 pandemic an extended number of International Competitions will be cancelled during the fall of 2020, that the Council will review the situation in regard to the Minimum Total Elements Score again latest at the time of the October Council meeting.
Next Council meeting:
The Council will meet again online on August 28, 2020