2021–22 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final

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The 2021–22 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final and ISU Junior Grand Prix Final were scheduled to be held from December 9–12, 2021 at the Towa Pharmaceutical Ractab Dome in Osaka, Japan.[1] The combined event was to be the culmination of two international series — the Grand Prix of Figure Skating and the Junior Grand Prix. Medals would have been awarded in the disciplines of men’s singles, women’s singles, pairs, and ice dance on the senior and junior levels.

On December 2, 2021, the event was cancelled due to Japanese travel restrictions imposed in response to the Omicron variant (as part of the COVID-19 pandemic), with the possibility of postponement to the end of the season.[2][3] On December 17, the event was definitively cancelled.[4] It was the second consecutive season that the Grand Prix Final was cancelled.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and cancellation[edit]

Due to varying travel and quarantine restrictions during the pandemic, several countries had logistical issues gaining access to certain competitions on both the Junior Grand Prix and Grand Prix series. For example, Russian skaters were unable to enter France for the first two stages of the JGP series and struggled to obtain visas for Skate America, the first stop on the Grand Prix series.[5][6]

For the JGP series, the ISU implemented a re-allocation process for countries who lost quota spots due to being unable to enter certain countries and compete. In addition, the ISU decided not to implement a JGP ranking for the season and to instead prioritize holding the JGP series safely “with the best possible participation” in light of the pandemic.[7] The ISU announced an alternate qualification criteria for the Junior Grand Prix Final on October 4.[8]

On September 1, the Japan Skating Federation announced that it had chosen to forego the JGP series entirely, despite originally planning to skip just the initial three events, due to pandemic-related travel restrictions and the mandatory quarantine period for skaters upon returning to Japan.[9] As a result, the host nation was to have no representatives in the Junior Grand Prix Final, before being awarded a wild card berth in men’s and women’s singles.[10][8]

On November 29, in response to the discovery of the Omicron variant, the Japanese government announced travel restrictions preventing all foreigners from entering the country beginning November 30.[11] The JSF later announced that it would adjust by implementing a bubble environment as the federation “[proceeded] with preparations while taking infection control measures in line with the government’s policy.”[12] On December 2, the ISU announced that the event had been cancelled for the month of December due to the “complicated epidemic situation”.[2] The ISU left open the possibility for postponement until the end of the season, but did not announce a post-season date or location for any rescheduled event.[3] After being unable to find a replacement host, the event was definitively cancelled on December 17.[4]

Qualifiers[edit]

Senior[edit]

Junior[edit]

Changes to preliminary qualifiers[edit]

Records[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ “Decisions of the Council: Update on ISU Event Calendar”. International Skating Union. January 29, 2021.
  2. ^ a b “Omicron travel rules, entry ban create mess for sports in Japan”. The Asahi Shimbun. December 2, 2021.
  3. ^ a b “ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2021, Osaka/Japan – cancellation”. International Skating Union. December 2, 2021.
  4. ^ a b “Cancellation of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2021, Osaka/Japan”. International Skating Union. December 17, 2021.
  5. ^ “О неучастии российских фигуристов в первом и втором этапах серии ИСУ Гран-при среди юниоров в Куршевеле (Франция)” [On the non-participation of Russian figure skaters in the first and second stages of the ISU Junior Grand Prix in Courchevel (France)] (in Russian). Figure Skating Federation of Russia. August 10, 2021.
  6. ^ Nikolaev, Denis (September 6, 2021). “Коган: «ФФККР делает все возможное, чтобы фигуристы выступили на Skate America»” [Kogan: “FFKKR is doing everything possible for skaters to perform at Skate America”]. Sport24 (in Russian).
  7. ^ “Communication No. 2418: Decisions of the Council – ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating season 2021/22”. International Skating Union. August 5, 2021.
  8. ^ a b “Communication No. 2431: Decisions of the Council”. International Skating Union. October 4, 2021.
  9. ^ “フィギュア、北京五輪テスト大会に選手派遣の方針 スケート理事会” [Figure skating board to dispatch athletes to Beijing Olympics test event]. Sponichi (in Japanese). September 1, 2021.
  10. ^ Gallagher, Jack (September 18, 2021). “Rika Kihira’s Move to Train with Brian Orser Improves Chances for Olympic Medal”. Japan Forward.
  11. ^ “全外国人の入国禁止…フィギュアＧＰファイナルの影響は？　連盟「現段階でお答えできない」” [All foreigners are prohibited from entering the country … What is the impact on the Grand Prix Final? Federation “I can’t answer at this stage”]. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). November 29, 2021.
  12. ^ “大阪でのフィギュアＧＰファイナル、開催に向け調整…バブル方式「準備進めていく」” [Figure skating Grand Prix Final in Osaka, adjustments for holding … “Preparing” bubble method]. Yomiuri Shimbun (in Japanese). November 30, 2021.
  13. ^ “ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2021/2022 – Men”. International Skating Union.
  14. ^ “ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2021/2022 – Women”. International Skating Union.
  15. ^ “ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2021/2022 – Pairs”. International Skating Union.
  16. ^ “ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2021/2022 – Ice Dance”. International Skating Union.
  17. ^ “ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2021/2022: Men – Final Results”. International Skating Union.
  18. ^ “ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2021/2022: Women – Final Results”. International Skating Union.
  19. ^ “ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2021/2022: Pairs – Final Results”. International Skating Union.
  20. ^ “ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2021/2022: Ice Dance – Final Results”. International Skating Union.
  21. ^ “本田ルーカス剛史、住吉りをん　開催国枠でジュニアＧＰファイナル出場へ” [Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda, Rion Sumiyoshi to participate in the Junior GP Final in the host country spot]. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). November 17, 2021.
  22. ^ “Isabeau Levito Withdraws from Junior Grand Prix Final” (Press release). U.S. Figure Skating. November 30, 2021.
  23. ^ “ISU Grand Prix Final 2021/2022: Junior Women – Entries”. International Skating Union. November 30, 2021.

External links[edit]