ISU Junior Grand Prix in France

History

The ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating (JGP) was established by the International Skating Union (ISU) in 1997 and consists of a series of seven international figure skating competitions exclusively for junior-level skaters. The locations of the Junior Grand Prix events change every year. While all seven competitions feature the men's, women's, and ice dance events, only four competitions each season feature the pairs event. Skaters earn points based on their results each season, and the top skaters or teams in each discipline are then invited to compete at the Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final.

Skaters are eligible to compete on the junior-level circuit if they are at least 13 years old before 1 July of the respective season, but not yet 19 (for single skaters), 21 (for men and women in ice dance and women in pair skating), or 23 (for men in pair skating). Competitors are chosen by their respective skating federations. The number of entries allotted to each ISU member nation in each discipline is determined by their results at the prior World Junior Figure Skating Championships.

France hosted the very first Junior Grand Prix competition – then called the Junior Series – in 1997 in Saint-Gervais-les-Bains. Timothy Goebel of the United States won the men's event, Elena Pingacheva of Russia won the women's event, Svetlana Nikolaeva and Alexei Sokolov of Russia won the pairs event, and Flavia Ottaviani and Massimo Scali of Italy won the ice dance event.

The French Federation of Ice Sports has twice hosted the Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, the culminating event of the Junior Grand Prix series. The 2016 Grand Prix Final was held at the Palais Omnisports Marseille Grand-Est in Marseille. Dmitri Aliev and Alina Zagitova, both of Russia, won the men's and women's events, respectively. Anastasia Mishina and Vladislav Mirzoev of Russia won the pairs event, and Rachel Parsons and Michael Parsons of the United States won the ice dance event. The 2024 Grand Prix Final was originally scheduled to be held in Orléans, but the French federation chose to relocate the event to Grenoble. Jacob Sanchez of the United States won the men's event, Mao Shimada of Japan won the women's event, Zhang Jiaxuan and Huang Yihang won the pairs event, and Noemi Maria Tali and Noah Lafornara of Italy won the ice dance.

Canada was originally scheduled to host the second event of the 2021 Junior Grand Prix Series in Edmonton, but cancelled the event due to uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. The event was reallocated to France, where the French Federation of Ice Sports was already scheduled to host the first 2021 Junior Grand Prix competition in Courchevel. Thus, two Junior Grand Prix competitions were held back-to-back at the Patinoire du Forum in Courchevel.

Medalists

Men's singles

In 2021 at France II, Arlet Levandi became the first men's singles skater from Estonia to win a Junior Grand Prix medal. At the same event, Edward Appleby became the first Junior Grand Prix medalist from Great Britain in nineteen years. The last time that a British skater had won a Junior Grand Prix medal was Jenna McCorkell in 2002.

Women's singles

Pairs

Ice dance

In 2021 at France I, Hannah Lim and Ye Quan became the first ice dance team from South Korea to win a Junior Grand Prix medal. In 2022, Lim and Quan became the first ice dance team from South Korea to win a Junior Grand Prix gold medal.

References

References

1. "ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating".
2. (15 July 2024). "Communication No. 2655: Single & Pair Skating".
3. "Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2024/25 – Announcement".
4. "Finale du Grand Prix ISU 2016 – Marseille".
5. (13 May 2024). "Communication No. 2634".
6. (23 June 2021). "Second ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating event moves from Edmonton (CAN) to Courchevel (FRA)".
7. (31 August 2021). "USA and Canada strike gold as ISU Junior Grand Prix continues in Courchevel".
8. "1997 Grand Prix de St. Gervais".
9. "1998 Grand Prix de St. Gervais".
10. "ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating – St. Gervais, France".
11. "2002 JGP Courchevel".
12. "2004 JGP Courchevel".
13. "2006 JGP Courchevel".
14. "2008 JGP Courchevel".
15. "2010 JGP Courchevel".
16. "2012 JGP Courchevel".
17. "2014 JGP Courchevel".
18. "2016 JGP St. Gervais".
19. "2016 Jr Grand Prix Final".
20. "2019 JGP de Courchevel".
21. "2021 JGP de Courchevel I".
22. "2021 JGP de Courchevel II".
23. "2022 JGP de Courchevel".
24. "2024 Jr Grand Prix Final".
25. (22 August 2021). "Ice dance duo brings S. Korea first ISU Grand Prix medal".
26. (29 August 2022). "A first for Korean Ice Dance as Japan returns in style at ISU Junior Grand Prix Courchevel".