After four years, the world series ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating returns to Ostrava
From August 31 to September 3, the Ostravar Arena in Vítkovice will offer a packed program full of domestic and international junior figure skating talents. Spectators will see 107 competitors from a total of 32 countries.
The best junior figure skaters last presented themselves in Ostrava in 2018. The Junior Grand Prix (JGP) will take place in the Silesian capital for the twelfth time. “Traditionally Ostrava is one of the most popular destinations [on the JGP]”, says Stanislav Židek, president of the Czech Figure Skating Association.
The home team will be the most represented in the Ostravar Arena (11 competitors), followed by the United States of America (10 competitors), and Canada together with Japan (8 competitors). According to the President, it is still unknown which of the applicants will shine in Ostrava. “Experience says that there are always a number of budding stars among the participants. Now however, it is difficult to guess which names will be involved. Yet the truth is that over the years a large number of future great competitors, such as Kim Ju-na from South Korea, have presented themselves in Ostrava. She later dominated the Olympic Games and conquered the world championship twice,” revealed Židek.
The final nomination of the Czech national team will be based on the results of junior performance reviews, which will take place through 11-13 of August. The Czech stars of the JGP should be the Mrázek siblings, who will perform in the discipline of Ice Dance at the competition. “Among the nominees there will certainly be those who will compete in the junior category for the first time, but at the same time will provide an equivalent performance [as the experienced skaters]”, adds Židek.
Tickets for the JGP cost 100 CZK, admission to the official training sessions is free. Tickets can be purchased exclusively at the venue.
“Nowadays it is not easy at all to ensure the basic economic coverage of any event, the ISU JGP included. Thanks to the Statutory City of Ostrava and the Moravian-Silesian region, which have a strong relationship with sports, we managed to obtain partial financial coverage. A contribution from the Czech Republic, National Sports Agency, is now also under discussion. Despite the fact that each event is always very time-consuming and physically demanding for me, I look forward to each of them,” thanked the president of the Czech Figure Skating Association at the end.
Schedule of the ISU Junior Grand Prix Ostrava 2022. See details…
August 31, 2022
All day official practice
Thursday, September 01, 2022
MEN – Short Program
PAIR SKATING – Short Program
WOMEN – Short Program
Friday, September 02, 2022
ICE DANCE – Rhythm Dance
PAIR SKATING – Free Skating
MEN – Free Skating
Saturday, September 03, 2022
WOMEN – Free Skating
ICE DANCE – Free Dance
