Contents
Profile
ISU Junior Grand Prix
- Sport
- Figure skating
- Organiser
- ISU
- Since
- 1997
- Period
- August to October
- Participants
- Juniors under ISU age rules
- Final
- together with the senior final
The series for young skaters
The Junior Grand Prix is the counterpart to the senior Grand Prix. It was introduced in 1997 to give young skaters regular international competition. The series consists of several stops, usually seven, held between August and October in different countries.
Who can compete?
Skaters who belong to the junior category under ISU age rules are eligible. The limits differ between singles, pairs and ice dance and were adjusted when the senior minimum age was raised. Each federation receives a certain number of places, which it allocates to its best juniors. Each skater competes at up to two stops.
Points and final
As with the seniors, points are awarded for placings. The top six in each discipline qualify for the Junior Grand Prix Final, which is held together with the senior final. So juniors and world stars are on the ice at the same event.
Format
The competitions follow the senior rules with their own requirements for juniors. Skaters perform the short program and free skate; the free skate is slightly shorter than for seniors. Some elements, such as certain jumps in the short program, are regulated differently for juniors.
Springboard to the senior ranks
Many later world and Olympic champions first caught the eye at the Junior Grand Prix. For coaches and federations, the series is an important indicator of whether a talent can keep up internationally. For the skaters, it is their first experience of travel, unfamiliar rinks and international judges.
Germany, Austria, Switzerland
Skaters from the German-speaking region also regularly compete in the Junior Grand Prix. Sometimes stops take place in Central Europe, for example in Austria, Poland or the Czech Republic. For parents and fans, this is an opportunity to see young talent up close. If you want to take up figure skating yourself, you can find clubs and rinks via IceHub.
Junior World Championships
The highlight of the junior season is the World Junior Championships, usually held at the end of February or beginning of March. The Junior Grand Prix is the most important preparation for it.
Age limits and minimum age
Since the senior minimum age was raised to 17, the junior category has changed too. Skaters stay junior for longer, which has raised the level of the Junior Grand Prix. For federations, this means they support talents in the youth ranks for longer.
Frequently asked questions
+Since when has the Junior Grand Prix existed?
Since 1997.
+When is the Junior Grand Prix held?
Usually from August to October.
Sources & further links
Editorially researched and checked against association and rulebook information. Found a mistake? Write to us via the Contact page.
Read more in the encyclopedia
Sport
Figure skating
Figure skating combines athleticism and expression: skaters perform jumps, spins and step sequences to music, which a judging panel scores under the ISU judging system. Olympic disciplines are singles, pair skating, ice dance and the team event.
League & competition
ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating
The ISU Grand Prix is a series of six international figure skating competitions in autumn. The top six in each discipline qualify for the Grand Prix Final in December. The series has existed since 1995.
Term
Short program in figure skating
The short program is the first segment of a singles or pairs figure skating competition. For seniors it lasts around two and a half minutes and contains a fixed number of required elements. Only the best skaters then qualify for the free skate.
Term
Free skate in figure skating
The free skate is the second and longer part of a figure skating competition. For seniors it lasts about four minutes. Skaters have more freedom in choosing elements than in the short program, but must observe maximum numbers and rules.