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Canada’s Stephen Gogolev wins gold at ISU Grand Prix Final

VANCOUVER, BC – Thirteen-year-old Stephen Gogolev of Toronto brushed aside a fall on his opening quad Lutz and roared to the gold medal in junior men’s competition Friday at the ISU Grand Prix Final figure skating competition.

Gogolev put on an amazing display of poise, skating and jumping skills to finish with 233.58 points. Petr Gummenik of Russia took the silver at 218.75 and Koshiro Shimada of Japan was third at 214.38.

“I can’t believe it yet, that I won this competition,” Gogolev said. “I was a bit disappointed after falling on the quad Lutz but I did everything else so I’m happy overall.”

In his free skate to the Sherlock Holmes soundtrack, Gogolev’s three quad jumps were planned at the start of the program. After the Lutz he landed the quad toe and the quad Salchow (in combo with a triple toe). His triple Axel- triple toe was also solid.

It was his second victory this season on the circuit. He won this past September in Slovakia but was fifth a few weeks later at the fourth stop in Richmond, B.C.

“I learned that you need to work on everything,” Gogolev said. “Skating skills are very important. Not just jumps, but spins and skating skills.”

In junior ice dancing, Marjorie Lajoie of Boucherville, Que., and Zachary Lagha of Greenfield Park, Que., came within 0.03 from the podium finishing fourth with 164.51.

Russia was 1-2-3. Sofia Shevchenko and Igor Eremenko won the gold with 170.66, Arina Ushakova and Maxim Nekrasov were second only 0.01 behind while Elizaveta Khudaiberdieva and Nikita Nazarov were third at 164.54.

“Technically it wasn’t perfect but the emotion was there,” said Lajoie. “We felt really confident in our performances.”

This past fall on the circuit, Lajoie and Lagha won the Richmond Junior Grand Prix stop and were second in Austria.

In men’s senior competition, world champion Nathan Chen of the U.S. was the winner with Shoma Uno of Japan second and Junhwan Cha of South Korea third.

Keegan Messing of Sherwood Park, Alta., moved from sixth to fifth.

“I skated as strong as I could and fought for everything,” said Messing. “I only made one big mistake on the triple Axel. There were some shaky elements but it was my first Grand Prix Final so there was some nervousness.”

Full results: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1819/gpf1819/

Thirteen-year old Stephen Gogolev continues to impress at ISU Grand Prix Final

VANCOUVER, BC – Stephen Gogolev of Toronto is in second place after the short program in junior men’s competition at the ISU Grand Prix Final figure skating competition, which opened Thursday.

The 13-year-old Gogolev produced a clean performance landing his combination jump, triple toe and triple Axel for 78.82 points. Camden Pulkinen of the U.S. leads at 80.31 and Petr Gumennik of Russia is third at 76.16.

“It felt pretty good, I was confident going into the competition,” said Gogolev, who won the junior Grand Prix stop in Slovakia this past September and was fifth a few weeks later in Richmond, B.C. “There were some nerves but that’s usually the case for me.”

Russia stands 1-2-3 in junior ice dancing after the rhythm dance with Canadians Marjorie Lajoie of Boucherville, Que., and Zachary Lagha of Greenfield Park, Que., fourth. Only 1.5 points separate the top-four and four points separate the top-five.

Sofia Shevchenko and Igor Eremenko are first at 67.73, Arina Ushakova and Maxim Nekrasov second at 67.49, Elizaveta Khudaiberdieva and Nikita Nazarov third at 66.29, the Canadians follow at 66.25 and Avonley Nguyen and Vadym Kolesnik of the U.S. are fifth at 63.73.

“The technical scores were not so good but the overall performance was pretty good,” said Lajoie. “The points are so close right now that our goal is just to go out and skate well tomorrow. Our free dance is powerful.”

This past fall, Lajoie and Lagha won the Richmond Junior Grand Prix stop and were second in Austria.

Keegan Messing of Sherwood Park, Alta., is Canada’s sole entry in senior competition and he stands sixth after the men’s short program with 79.56. World champion Nathan Chen of the U.S. leads at 92.99 followed by Shoma Uno of Japan at 91.67 and Michal Brezina of the Czech Republic at 89.21.

“I fought for every element out there,” said Messing, a silver medallist at Skate Canada International last month. “I just had to pray a little bit but I stood on my feet so I’m really happy with that.”

Competition continues Friday featuring the free skates for all three Canadian entries.

Full results: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1819/gpf1819/

Patrick Chan named Athlete Ambassador for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final® 2018-19

VANCOUVER, BC: Skate Canada is pleased to announce that ten-time Canadian champion and three-time world champion Patrick Chan will serve as the official Athlete Ambassador during the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final® 2018-19. The event takes place from December 6-9 in Vancouver, B.C., at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.

“To be named Athlete Ambassador for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final is truly a special honour,” said Chan. “This event brings back many wonderful memories for me, and it is a privilege to represent all athletes competing in Vancouver this week.”

In his eight appearances at the Grand Prix Final, Chan medalled on four occasions, including back-to-back gold medal triumphs in 2010 and 2011. Chan won his first of a record ten Canadian titles in Vancouver in 2008, and also won his 10th in Vancouver last January.  He has captured three Olympic medals, winning silver in both the individual and team events at the Sochi Games in 2014, and gold in the team event in PyeongChang.

“We are honoured to have Patrick as our athlete ambassador for this event. Over his career he has taken part and won medals at every major skating event, as an athlete he knows what it takes to stand atop the podium,” said Debra Armstrong, CEO, Skate Canada. “Patrick has inspired Canadians and fans worldwide with his skating and this week in Vancouver we know he will leave an impact on the fans at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.”

In his role of Athlete Ambassador, Chan will handle speaking engagements and media interviews, conduct appearances on behalf of competing athletes and interact with skating fans throughout the week.

Chan announced his retirement from competitive skating in April 2018. He is currently residing in Vancouver where he stays involved in the skating community through seminars and performing in skating shows across Canada.

EVENT INFO

The ISU Grand Prix Final is the concluding event of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating circuit. The series hosts six stops: United States (Skate America), Canada (Skate Canada International), Finland (Grand Prix of Helsinki), Japan (NHK Trophy), Russia (Rostelecom Cup) and France (Internationaux de France).

Skaters are awarded points based on their placements at their assigned events and the top six in each of the four disciplines advance to the Final.

The event will also include the 2018 ISU Junior Grand Prix Final. The world’s top junior skaters also collect points to qualify, through seven events which change location yearly. The top six in men’s, ladies, pair and ice dance, based on the results of the Junior Grand Prix series, advance to the Junior Final.

In total, there will be 48 entries and 72 skaters taking part in the event in both senior and junior.

Canadian skaters headed to Vancouver for the 2018 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final

OTTAWA, ON:  Skate Canada will have three entries, for a total of four skaters competing at the 2018 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Vancouver, British Columbia. Canada will be represented by one senior entry and two junior entries. The event takes place from December 6-9, 2018 at Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre and includes both the ISU Senior Grand Prix Final and the ISU Junior Grand Prix Final.

Keegan Messing, 26, Sherwood Park, Alta./Brantford, Ont., will represent Canada in the senior men category. Messing is coming off a silver medal finish at Skate Canada International and a fifth place finish at Rostelecom Cup earlier this season. He trains at Sherwood Park FSC and is coached by Ralph Burghardt.

Stephen Gogolev, 13, Toronto, Ont., will represent Canada in the junior men category and will be competing at this event for the first time. Gogolev placed fifth at JGP Canada and won gold at JGPSlovakia. He trains at the Toronto Cricket & Skating Club and is coached by Lee Barkell.

Marjorie Lajoie, 18, Boucherville, Que., and Zachary Lagha, 19, St.-Hubert, Que., will be representing Canada in the junior ice dance. The two won gold at JGP Canada and finished second at JGP Austria this season to qualify for the final. This will be their second JGP Final, having finished sixth last season. They train in Montreal, Que., with coaches Marie-France Dubreuil, Patrice Lauzon, Romain Haguenauer and Pascal Denis.

Mike Slipchuk, Skate Canada High Performance Director and Andre Bourgeois, Skate Canada NextGen Director will be the team leaders at the event. Dr. Daphne Anderson of Calgary, Alta., and physiotherapist Agnes Makowski of Toronto, Ont. will be the Canadian medical staff onsite.  Karen Howard of Regina, Sask., Jean Senft of West Vancouver, B.C., Andrea Derby of Windsor, Ont., and Karen Butcher of Greely, Ont., will be the Canadian officials at the event.

For results and full entries, please click here.

Canadian Entries at the 2018 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final

Discipline Name Age Hometown Club Coach
Senior Men Keegan Messing 26 Sherwood Park, Alta. / Brantford, Ont. Sherwood Park FSC Ralph Burghardt
Junior Men Stephen Gogolev 13 Toronto, Ont. Toronto Cricket & Skating Club Lee Barkell
Junior Ice Dance Marjorie Lajoie / Zachary Lagha 18/19 Boucherville, Que. / St-Hubert, Que. Winter Club of St. Catharines / Point Edward SC Marie-France Dubreuil, Patrice Lauzon, Romain Haguenauer, Pascal Denis

Single Session Tickets Info: 2018 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final

OTTAWA, ON: Single session tickets for the 2018 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final will go on sale Thursday, September 13, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. PT. The event will take place in Vancouver, B.C., at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre from December 6-9, 2018.

Single session tickets begin at $60, plus applicable taxes and surcharges and prices range by session. Tickets for the Wednesday practices are only $25, plus applicable taxes and surcharges. Tickets can be purchased online at ticketmaster.ca and by phone at 1-855-985-5000. Please note that All Event Tickets will no longer be available.

Super Fan Bags are available for $75, plus applicable taxes and surcharges until September 30, 2018.  Super Fan Bag includes a commemorative blanket, event pin, event program and stylish bag.  Fans will receive a voucher for the Super Fan Bag that is exchanged at the area during the event.

EVENT INFO

The ISU Grand Prix Final is the concluding event of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating circuit. The series hosts six stops: United States (Skate America), Canada (Skate Canada International), Russia (Rostelecom Cup), France (Internationaux de France), China (Cup of China), and Japan (NHK Trophy). Skaters are awarded points based on their placements at their assigned events and the top six in each of the four disciplines advance to the final.

The event will also include the 2018 ISU Junior Grand Prix Final. The world’s top junior skaters also collect points to qualify, through seven events which change location yearly. The top six in men’s, ladies, pair and ice dance, based on the results of the Junior Grand Prix series, advance to the Junior Final.

In total, there will be 48 entries and 72 skaters taking part in the event in both senior and junior.

This will be the city’s first time hosting this event. Vancouver has hosted the Canadian Tire National Skating Championships six times. The have also hosted several international figure skating events: the 2009 ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, 2001 & 1960 ISU World Figure Skating Championships and the 1978 Skate Canada International.

The ISU Grand Prix Final began in 1995 and the first three editions of the competition were titled the Champions Series Final. During the 1998-99 season the name changed to the current title.

Join our exclusive mailing list to receive event and ticket information for the 2018 ISU Grand Prix Final.

 

Ticket Info: 2018 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final

VANCOUVER, BC: All-event tickets for the 2018 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final will go on sale Friday, January 19, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. PT. The event will take place in Vancouver, B.C., at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre from December 5-9, 2018.

TICKETS

All-Event ticket packages will include all competitions in junior and senior and the exhibition gala, as well as all official practices. Fans will be able to choose from four levels of all-event ticket packages that are priced at $175, $225, $275, $375 (includes a Super Fan Bag voucher), plus applicable surcharges. Tickets can be purchased online at ticketmaster.ca and by phone at 1-855-985-5000.

SUPER FAN SECTION

Become a Super Fan by purchasing tickets in the first five rows of the arena and be closest to the action! All fans purchasing tickets in this section will receive a commemorative blanket, event pin, event program and stylish bag. All-event ticket packages in the Super Fan Section, which includes the super fan bag, are priced at $375, plus applicable surcharges.

Fans not seated in the Super Fan Section may purchase the Super Fan Bag for an additional $75 each until October 1, plus applicable surcharges.

Join our exclusive mailing list to receive event and ticket information for the 2018 ISU Grand Prix Final.

EVENT INFO

The ISU Grand Prix Final is the concluding event of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating circuit. The series hosts six stops: United States (Skate America), Canada (Skate Canada International), Russia (Rostelecom Cup), France (Internationaux de France), China (Cup of China), and Japan (NHK Trophy). Skaters are awarded points based on their placements at their assigned events and the top six in each of the four disciplines advance to the final.

The event will also include the 2018 ISU Junior Grand Prix Final. The world’s top junior skaters also collect points to qualify, through seven events which change location yearly. The top six in men’s, ladies, pair and ice dance, based on the results of the Junior Grand Prix series, advance to the Junior Final.

In total, there will be 48 entries and 72 skaters taking part in the event in both senior and junior.

This will be the city’s first time hosting this event. Vancouver has hosted the Canadian Tire National Skating Championships six times. The have also hosted several international figure skating events: the 2009 ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, 2001 & 1960 ISU World Figure Skating Championships and the 1978 Skate Canada International.

The ISU Grand Prix Final began in 1995 and the first three editions of the competition were titled the Champions Series Final. During the 1998-99 season the name changed to the current title.

Skate Canada to host 2018 ISU Grand Prix Final in Vancouver

VANCOUVER, BC: Skate Canada has been awarded the 2018 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final by the International Skating Union (ISU). The event will take place in Vancouver, B.C., at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre from December 5-9, 2018. This is the fourth time Canada has hosted this event, having previously hosted in 2011 in Quebec City, Que., 2001 in Kitchener, Ont., and in Hamilton, Ont., in 1996.

“Skate Canada is honoured to be hosting the ISU Grand Prix Final for the fourth time. This championship is the pinnacle event of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series and the most important event in the first half of the skating calendar,” said Debra Armstrong, CEO, Skate Canada. “Vancouver is a wonderful city with lots of skating history, and we are confident that they will be gracious hosts and produce an outstanding event.”

The ISU Grand Prix Final is the concluding event of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating circuit. The series hosts six stops: United States (Skate America), Canada (Skate Canada International), Russia (Rostelecom Cup), France (Internationaux de France), China (Cup of China), and Japan (NHK Trophy). Skaters are awarded points based on their placements at their assigned events and the top six in each of the four disciplines advance to the final.

“Vancouver is home to some of the best venues, amenities, resources, and volunteers and the whole city is ready to welcome the world during the ISU Grand Prix Final,” says Mayor Gregor Robertson. “Thanks to our experience hosting events like the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics and the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, we’ll ensure every athlete, coach, and fan has an experience second to none.”

The event will also include the 2018 ISU Junior Grand Prix Final. The world’s top junior skaters also collect points to qualify, through seven events which change location yearly. The top six in men’s, ladies, pair and ice dance, based on the results of the Junior Grand Prix series, advance to the Junior Final.

In total, there will be 48 entries and 72 skaters taking part in the event in both senior and junior.

“We are so pleased to be hosting the ISU Grand Prix Final in Vancouver next December as part of our year of ice events,” said Michelle Collens, Senior Manager, Sport Hosting Vancouver. “In conjunction with the Canadian Tire National Championships in January, this long-term Skate Canada hosting partnership with benefit our community in many ways.”

In 2018, Vancouver will host the Canadian Tire National Skating Championships for the sixth time. The city has also hosted several international figure skating events: the 2009 ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, 2001 & 1960 ISU World Figure Skating Championships and the 1978 Skate Canada International.

The ISU Grand Prix Final began in 1995 and the first three editions of the competition were titled the Champions Series Final. During the 1998-99 season the name changed to the current title.

Join our exclusive mailing list to receive event and ticket information for the 2018 ISU Grand Prix Final.

Skate Canada announces bid to host the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final ® 2018

OTTAWA, ON: Skate Canada has announced that it will make a formal bid to host the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final ® 2018. If successful, this will be Canada’s third time hosting the championships; Canada previously hosted the event in 2011 in Quebec City, Que., and in 2001 in Kitchener, Ont.

The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final ® is the pinnacle event of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series. The senior series hosts six stops: United States (Skate America), Canada (Skate Canada International), China (Cup of China), France (Trophée Eric Bompard), Russia (Rostelecom Cup) and Japan (NHK Trophy). Skaters are awarded points based on their placements at their assigned events. The top six with the most points at the end of the series, in each of the four disciplines, advance to the Final. Junior skaters qualify through a similar process; they are awarded points based on their placement from the seven ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating events.

“We are excited to be in the running to host the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final ® 2018. This event is the most prestigious event in the first half of the skating calendar; we can expect the competition to be extremely competitive,” said Dan Thompson, CEO, Skate Canada. “We are looking forward to partnering with a great host to deliver this world-class event.”

Skate Canada is requesting host city proposals for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final ® 2018. Skate Canada is focused on acquiring a host city with strong partners across all aspects of the event that will work with Skate Canada to deliver an outstanding event and inspire Canadians to embrace the joy of skating. Potential candidate cities can find the official RFP information here. A Canadian host city bid will be selected in November 2016.

In accordance with ISU regulations, Skate Canada will submit a host city along with supporting documents in December 2016. The 2018 host will be determined by the ISU Council.

Earlier this week, Skate Canada also announced its intention to host the ISU World Figure Skating Championships ® 2020. Skate Canada is currently searching for a host city through the RPF process. Potential candidate cities can find the official RFP information here.