Things YoI Fans/Ficcers Should Know About Skating (#6)
WINNING THE GPF, IS IT A BFD? RANKING THE COMPETITIONS IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE (WHEN IT COMES TO WINNING)
I think, because the show focused on the Grand Prix Final, a lot of YoI Fans are convinced that this is the ultimate title a skater wants. #NotSoSaidtheFormerSkater
Yuuri sort of gives us an overview of the skating season in the show, but hereās the thing I see missed a lot. Is that everyone makes the GPF the Biggest BFD. Hereās a normal season rundown, in order of scheduling with some really simple explanations:
1. Grand Prix Series and Final: We know all about this one from watching YoI. (If youāre not at Grand Prix qualifying level, you can compete in the ISU (International Skating Union) Challenger Series for senior-level competitors. You probs wonāt see this series on TV. It was introduced in the 2014-2015 season and I only know about it because my sister is a coach).Ā
2.Nationals: generally held before the other ISU competitions, but varies by country). Placement at Nationals generally determines whether you move onto the rest of the season and most importantly, whether you get to compete at the World Figure Skating Championship. For example: up until this year, if you won gold at the American Nationals, you were guaranteedĀ a spot on the World Team. (This rule has recently changed and probably because the US Federation doesnāt want to send aĀ āluckyā team to Worldās because itās an Olympic selection year. Before you rag on the USFSA, know that skating had to get a new judging system not that long ago because it was SO shady. This isnāt uncommon for any Federation).
3. European Championship (All the European Countries compete against each other. Skaters from anywhere outside of Europe CANNOT compete. Victor could skate here, Yuuri could not).Ā
4. Four Continents Championships: All the other countries compete here.Ā
5. World Junior Championships (for those in the Junior level)
6. WORLD FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS: Always a huge deal, because who doesnāt want to be best in the WORLD. This is a HUGE deal for an Olympic Selection Year. Because how your country places at Worldās determines the number of skaters and/or teams your allowed to send for each discipline to the Winter Olympics.Ā
TAKEAWAYS FOR MY DEAR FIC WRITERS:
As a skater, these events are the most important: Olympics (if itās an Olympic year), Worlds (all the time).Ā Then is the GPF (because itās like mini-Worlds), then Four Continents/Europeans. Then Nationals (cuz who doesnāt like proving theyāre the best in their country every year).Ā
As always, keep making history, and if you have any questions, I am happy to answer them. And Toepick, my sister who coaches) is on standby to handle the ones I donāt know. Just hit up the ask!