2018 ISU Challenger Series announced

[Sylvia]

Announced on May 15: https://www.isu.org/news/80-inside-...-decision-of-the-isu-council?templateParam=15

The 10 competitions in 2018 are:

August 1-5 - Asian Open Figure Skating Trophy, Bangkok, THA *1st time as CS*

September 12-16 - Lombardia Trophy, Bergamo, ITA

Sept. 12-16 - U.S. International Figure Skating Classic, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA (still there! )

Sept. 19-22 - 26th Ondrej Nepela Trophy, Bratislava, SVK

Sept. 20-22 - Autumn Classic International, Oakville, CAN - Link to March 22 press release

Sept. 26-29 - Nebelhorn Trophy, Oberstdorf, GER

October 4-7 - Finlandia Trophy Espoo 2018, Espoo, FIN - Official Website

November 11-18 - Inge Solar Memorial – Alpen Trophy, Innsbruck, AUT (re-named comp; *1st time as CS*)

Nov. 26-Dec. 2 - Tallinn Trophy 2018, Tallinn, EST

December 5-8 - Golden Spin of Zagreb, Zagreb, CRO

"A General Announcement relating to the Challenger Series 2018/19 will be published after the forthcoming ISU Congress (June 2-8, 2018) taking into account the Rule changes adopted by the 2018 ISU Congress."

 

[Frida80]

So now it starts in August? I wonder if skaters will be ready that soon?

 

[alchemy void]

Hell yes! Challenger Series comes to Asia!

So now it starts in August? I wonder if skaters will be ready that soon?

Not just August, but the first week of August. That’s some Goodwill Games scheduling territory, and those were usually fun splatfests. Let’s hope for a stream.

Overall the schedule seems slightly more staggered than last year, which is a good thing. Only one weekend with two events (we had two last year).

 

[Dobre]

So now it starts in August? I wonder if skaters will be ready that soon?

Yes, but a Challenger in Asia.

Last year, Keiji Tanaka, Yuna Shiraiwa, Kaori Sakamoto, and Kailani Craine were at the Asian Open. Korea also sent two of their top three ladies. Some will be ready. Many won't. There would be a payoff for Asian skaters in being ready because they would not have to travel halfway across the World.

 

[Debbie S]

@Sylvia do you know if the Philly Summer comp will have an int'l comp like last year?

 

[babayaga]

Hell yes! Challenger Series comes to Asia!



Not just August, but the first week of August. That’s some Goodwill Games scheduling territory, and those were usually fun splatfests. Let’s hope for a stream.

Overall the schedule seems slightly more staggered than last year, which is a good thing. Only one weekend with two events (we had two last year).

Isn't it still two? The weeks of September 12 and September 19/20 both have two competitions.

 

[Sylvia]

@Sylvia do you know if the Philly Summer comp will have an int'l comp like last year?

Don't know for sure yet (I've only heard a 'maybe'). We'll know as soon as the ISU publishes their 2018/19 International Competitions list (maybe a new GSD thread can be started for that).

ETA a link to the GSD thread that was started on May 16: The ISU Calendar for the 2018-19 Season

The answer to @Debbie S' question is yes.

 

[alchemy void]

Isn't it still two? The weeks of September 12 and September 19/20 both have two competitions.

You’re totally right. Reading is hard.

 

[babayaga]

 

[Braulio]

Yeah! I'm glad Belarus is not getting a Challenger Event!! take that for never ever providing a stream!!!

 

[Jeschke]

6/10 events before the end of september?

 

[nimi]

Nice that there's a CS comp in Asia this season!

Wasn't Asian Open held in a crappy mall rink last season? I assume this year they have a better venue...

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Wow... August 1 -5??? That early??? and it counts as a Challenger?

But that early? I find it strange.

But anyway I am all in!

 

[SamuraiK]

Asian Trophy is always this early and its basically the only relevant Senior B in Asia so why not? LIke its been said lots of elite JPN/KOR/AUS did it last year so I hope it keeps getting bigger. Plus it's an event that actually changes host country each year so yay!!

 

[rfisher]

Hell yes! Challenger Series comes to Asia!



Not just August, but the first week of August. That’s some Goodwill Games scheduling territory, and those were usually fun splatfests. Let’s hope for a stream.

Overall the schedule seems slightly more staggered than last year, which is a good thing. Only one weekend with two events (we had two last year).

Watching skating is evolutionary biology at its finest. The strong survive. Or maybe those with no other life, but we'll just go with the survival of the fittest for the final answer.

 

[Seerek]

The timing of Asian Open Trophy last year worked well for those competitors who had Southeast Asian (SEA) Games later that August in Malaysia, then continuing on towards Nebelhorn in September.

 

[A.H.Black]

Yeah for the Classic in Salt Lake again. There is a football game scheduled on the 15th - Utah vs Washingtion. For those coming, the tailgate party is right outside the skating rink. Wild and fun chaos.

 

[Catherine M]

FWIW, Skate Canada has Autumn Classic tickets on Presale for Skate Canada fans ie people that have bought tickets to their events before like me:

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/2018-au...ues-dautomne-2018-tickets-45040325827?aff=es2

 

[luckiest1]

They sure sold out fast. Regular sales begin June 19th.

 

[binbinwinwin]

I missed out last year because they sold out too fast so I couldn't even get presale tickets to this year? I wish Skate Canada members could have some sort of reserved sale for members.

 

[JoannaLouise]

This is probably a silly question, but are they 100% sold out, or just sold out of the pre-sale tickets?

 

[binbinwinwin]

This is probably a silly question, but are they 100% sold out, or just sold out of the pre-sale tickets?

Just pre-sale, more tickets will be on sale for June 19. All event tickets were not part of the pre-sale, only single day tickets.

 

[Tavi]

Deleted bc already answered by binbinwinwin.

 

[beebee]

Tickets available again--I just purchased.

 

[JoannaLouise]

Tickets available again--I just purchased.

I love you!
(Nothing available for Saturday, but at least I have Thurs/Fri now.)

 

[dramagrrl]

People who haven't been able to get tickets, try again - my friend who got our tickets said she just kept refreshing for 15 minutes and the "not available" notices changed eventually. She said Saturday was the hardest to get and took the most refreshing, so it's possible the Saturday pre-sale tix are actually gone, but I would try again and keep refreshing if you gave up after seeing "not available" just once.

 

[luckiest1]

Are they numbered tickets or general admission?

 

[JoannaLouise]

Are they numbered tickets or general admission?

The seating is general admission. (Although judging from the picture here, it looks like they do have actual seats - I was picturing bleacher-style seating.)

 

[levineismine]

I tried several times yesterday and today but with no luck. Thanks anyways for the heads up, hope to get them with the regular sales!

 

[Sylvia]

Press release: Ticket Info: 2018 Autumn Classic International

Tickets for the 2018 Autumn Classic International will go on sale on Tuesday, June 19 at 10:00 a.m. (ET). The fifth edition of the event will take place from September 20-22, 2018, at the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville, Ont.
All-event tickets are priced at $85 and single day passes prices are as follows: $30 for Thursday, $35 for Friday and $35 for Saturday. Tickets include entry to view practices on the date(s) of each ticket. All tickets are subject to applicable taxes and services fees. Tickets can be purchased at Eventbrite.ca in advance and online only.
Please note that seating is general admission and not reserved. Seats are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Ticket quantities are limited, and all tickets are final sale.

2018 Finlandia Trophy all-event tickets went on sale last month: https://www.finlandiatrophy.com/en/2018/05/23/all-event-liput-myynnissa-nyt-2/

Event page for the Asian Open Trophy in Bangkok, Thailand is here: http://www.fsat.or.th/competition/2018THA-asian-open-figure-skating-trophy