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What is the Grand Prix of Figure Skating?

By Jo Ann Schneider Farris, About.com

Brian Joubert - Grand Prix of Skating Gold Medal Winner

Brian Joubert - Grand Prix of Skating Gold Medal Winner

Photo by Jamie McDonald - Getty Images
Question: What is the Grand Prix of Figure Skating?

It can be confusing for ice skating fans to understand what all the elite figure skating competitions are all about. What exactly is the Grand Prix of Figure Skating?

Answer:

The International Skating Union (ISU) hosts a series of elite competitive figure skating events called the Grand Prix of Figure Skating. Competitions take place in the United States, Canada, Japan, Germany, France, Russia, and China.

All these events are televised and the competitors are selected by invitation. Each country that hosts an event can invite three of their own skaters from each skating discipline.

There is also a similar series for junior eligible skaters called the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating. The Junior Grand Prix series begins earlier in the year than the senior level series.

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