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.