e 2009/2010 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating continues with the Samsung Anycall Cup of China in Beijing from October 30 to November 1. The skaters compete for a global prize money of US $ 180, 000 per individual event of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating and receive points according to their placements. The top six skaters/couples of the series will proceed to the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Tokyo, Japan.
In the Pairs event, the focus lies on the comeback of three-time World Champions Xue Shen/Hongbo Zhao (CHN) who will face their compatriots and reigning World silver medalists Dan Zhang/Hao Zhang. Shen/Zhao had retired from competitive skating in 2007. Tatiana Volosozhar/ Stanislav Morozov (UKR), Meagan Duhamel/Craig Buntin (CAN) and World Junior Champions Lubov Iliushechkina/Nodari Maisuradze (RUS) are aiming at a podium finish as well. The field is completed by Huibo Dong/Yiming Wu (CHN), Vanessa James/Yannick Bonheur (FRA) and Amanda Evora/Mark Ladwig (USA).
Reigning World Champion Evan Lysacek (USA) competes in his first Grand Prix event of the season. The challenge should come from Nobunari Oda (JPN), who won the Trophée Bompard two weeks ago and now wants to assure his spot in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. Other contenders include European silver medalist Samuel Contesti (ITA), Yannick Ponsero (FRA), Denis Ten (KAZ), Sergei Voronov (RUS) and Stephen Carriere (USA).
2009 World silver medalists Tanith Belbin/Benjamin Agosto (USA) headline the Ice Dance competition. European Champions Jana Khokhlova/Sergei Novitski (RUS) and European silver medalists Federica Faiella/Massimo Scali (ITA) are ready to challenge Belbin/Agosto. Looking for a good placement are also Alexandra Zaretski/Roman Zaretski (ISR), Kaitlyn Weaver/Andrew Poje (CAN), Anna Zadarozhniuk/Sergei Verbillo (UKR) and World Junior Champions Madison Chock/Greg Zuerlein (USA), who debut on the senior Grand Prix circuit.
World silver medalist Joannie Rochette (CAN) enters her first Grand Prix event this year. European silver medalist Carolina Kostner (ITA) wants to improve on her 6th place finish from Trophée Bompard. Hoping for a medal in Beijing are also 2007 European bronze medalist Kiira Korpi (FIN), three-time World medalist Fumie Suguri (JPN), 2008 World Junior Champion Rachael Flatt (USA) and two-time World Junior medalist Mirai Nagasu (USA).
The full list of entries is available at www.isu.org
The schedule of the Samsung Anycall Cup of China is as follows:
Friday, October 29: Compulsory & Original Dance, Ladies, Men and Pairs Short Program
Saturday, October 30: Free Dance, Ladies, Pairs and Men Free Skating
Sunday, November 1: Exhibition Gala
