ISU Junior Grand Prix 2024-25

[Karen-W]

Okay, so the Women's reallocation process is going to be a LOT more straightforward.

Group A - Japan, Korea and Finland WILL use all 14 of their spots.

Group B - Switzerland, Italy and the USA will also use all 7 of their spots.

Group C - France, Canada, Estonia and Georgia - again, the only one that MIGHT not use all 6 of their spots is Georgia. Obviously Inga Gurgenidze will be back on the JGP, plus they have an Advanced Novice girl who competed at Bosphorus Cup last year who is 14 - her scores aren't that great but they may send her out on the JGP and see what happens. Either way, at most there will be 2 or 4 spots up for grabs - and let's operate under the assumption that, for sure, they'll relinquish assigned spots at Thailand and China and two more in Europe.

JGP Latvia or Czechia - SUI
JGP Thailand - ITA
JGP Poland or Slovenia - USA
JGP China - SUI

And that's that. Best case scenario, the USA picks up 1 spot, worse case scenario, if Georgia does only relinquish 2 spots, then SUI and ITA get 1 each and the USA is left out.

 

[her grace]

@Karen-W

SUI would have right of first refusal for all of Georgia’s relinquished spots.

 

[Karen-W]

@Karen-W

SUI would have right of first refusal for all of Georgia’s relinquished spots.

That is incorrect. The spots are reallocated in rotation by order of placement. 1 spot opens up and SUI gets it. The next spot that opens up is automatically given to ITA. 3rd spot opens and the USA gets it. Then, you start at the top again, with the next available spot. This was very clear last season when countries were relinquishing spots in Men, Women and Ice Dance and how Canada and the USA picked up their additional spots.

 

[her grace]

The rule states that spots are redistributed by event, not by country’s total number of returned spots. The 4th place country gets the first spot returned per event (see quoted rule in my earlier post).

 

[Karen-W]

Onto Ice Dance reallocation -

Group A - USA will use all 14 spots. Israel - I'm going to operate under the assumption that they do not have some junior team they've recruited from anywhere floating around - we'd have heard if there were any Russian junior ID teams released to skate for Israel; it's a little more murky with the Canadian and American teams but I'm guessing not. That gives 2 spots each available at every single JGP. Then there's Germany - theoretically, they had 5 junior teams and 3 advanced novice teams compete at their Nationals this year so they MAY be able to fill all 14 spots. But, this is the German fed and they're poor, so I'm going to err on the side of caution and say they let the ISU know they won't use their spots in Thailand or China but they hold onto the other 10 spots. Reallocation would look like this:

JGP Latvia - FRA & CAN
JGP Czechia - ITA, FRA
JGP Thailand - CAN, ITA & FRA
JGP Turkey - CAN & ITA
JGP Poland - FRA & CAN
JGP Slovenia - ITA & FRA
JGP China - CAN, ITA & FRA

Two spots - one each in Thailand & China would go unused because there are only three countries in the pool to pick up additional spots.

Group B (1 spot in all 7 events) - FRA, CAN, ITA - obviously, France and Canada can and will use any and all spots they pick up. Italy may or may not but one has to operate under the assumption that they would decline additional spots in Thailand and China to save travel costs. Theoretically, they could also just not send ANY dance teams to Thailand and China but France and Canada are guaranteed to pick up an extra spot at both of those already due to Israel not having any teams (and certainly if Israel does scrounge up a new team, they'll still not be sending them to Thailand or China, lol).

Group C (1 spot in 6 events) - CYP, JPN, GBR, SUI - Cyprus only has 1 dance team, so they're going to decline at least 4 spots - 2 of which will be European JGPs. Japan has 2 jr ice dance teams, so let's assume they use 4 spots - one of those teams trains at IAM and the other trains in Japan, so I'd guess they'll turn down 2 of the European JGP spots. Great Britain will use all 6 of their spots. Switzerland had 4 junior ice dance teams at their Nats so, theoretically, they could utilize all 6 spots, but let's go with the idea that they'll only use 4 and they'll turn down whichever Asian JGP they have plus maybe Turkey? It is, theoretically, possible, if Cyprus, Japan and Switzerland turn down 1 spot at 5 DIFFERENT European JGPs that France, Canada & Italy will wind up with a full 14 spots across all of the JGPs (in addition to the USA, of course). I don't know how likely it is, but it's not entirely impossible.

 

[Karen-W]

The rule states that spots are redistributed by event, not by country’s total number of returned spots. The 4th place country gets the first spot returned per event (see quoted rule in my earlier post).

And I am telling you that that is NOT how the spots were allocated in practice last year but believe what you wish.

 

[her grace]

Sure thing! I think you’re wrong, but we’ll find out soon how it’s applied this season.

 

[Andrea82]

This post on the Ukrainian federation’s website last month implies the countries already know their event assignments so I’m not sure what’s taking the ISU so long to post the 2024/25 document.

Indeed, the Feds already know.
The New Zealand Federation monthly newsletter contained the following section

The ISU have advised which Junior Grand Prix competitions we have been allocated for the 2024/25 season:
1st event Riga / Latvia, 28-31 August Men
3rd event Bangkok / Thailand, 11-14 September Men, Women
4th event Istanbul / Turkey, 18-21 September Men
5th event Gdansk / Poland, 25-28th September Men
6th event Ljubljana / Slovenia 2-5 October Men
7th event Wuxi / China, 9-12 October Men, Women

Dwayne Li has already confirmed that he wishes to attend the JGP in Bangkok and Wuxi. The priority for the Women’s places at the Bangkok and Wuxi JGP and qualification for any of the remaining spots we have been allocated for Men will be determined after the Clucas Cup.

 

[Stephanie]

I just noticed on the ISU website the JGP#4 has been moved to Ankara from Istanbul.

ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating - International Skating Union

The International Skating Union is the international sport federation administering Ice Skating sports throughout the world.

isu.org

 

[Capt. DeSoto]

I just noticed on the ISU website the JGP#4 has been moved to Ankara from Istanbul.

I'm surprised that changes are still happening so close, presumably, to announcements. Are locations always in this much upheaval? The France JGP jumped cities before ultimately getting nixed and moved to China.

 

[Frau Muller]

I'm surprised that changes are still happening so close, presumably, to announcements. Are locations always in this much upheaval? The France JGP jumped cities before ultimately getting nixed and moved to China.

A couple of years ago (fall 2022), the competition in Yerevan, Armenia, was cancelled just before the event, due to security situation. The skaters were moved to one of the three upcoming competitions (two in Gdansk, Poland, and one in Egna, Italy). I’m not sure if this happens that often…this was an odd situation due to threats of violence in the Armenia/Azerbaijan dispute.

 

[Karen-W]

Initial Swiss JGP assignments -

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Switzerland gained a 2nd woman's spot in Gdansk but also relinquished the spot it had earned for Wuxi, which will be good news for ITA and possibly also the USA.

It also tells us that Georgia did not relinquish any of its spots at the first 4 JGPs since Switzerland only picked up a 2nd woman's spot for the 5th JGP. If Georgia relinquished 1 other spot (seems likely) then Italy will pick up a 2nd spot at either Ljubljana or Wuxi - and I think it is a safe bet, seeing that Georgia relinquished their spot in Gdansk that they've also relinquished at least 1 of Ljubljana/Wuxi, maybe both. And, because Switzerland relinquished their spot in Wuxi, the USA should pick up a 2nd spot there.

Initial Swiss JGP Assignments -

Latvia - Anastasia Brandenburg, Aurelien Chervet, Chiara Pazienza/Maxim Knorr (pairs), Eleonore Gabet/Maxime Evequoz (dance)

Ostrava - Anthea Gradinaru, Seraina Tscharner/Laurin Wiederkehr (dance)

Bangkok - Leandra Tzimpoukakis

Ankara - Anastasia Brandenburg, Ean Weiler, Gina Behnder/Beda Leon Sieber (dance)

Gdansk - Women TBD, Men TBD, Pairs TBD, Alexandra Levy/Alan Llorente (dance)

Ljubljana - Women TBD, Men TBD, Gina Behnder/Beda Leon Sieber (dance)

 

[Karen-W]

And New Zealand's JGP assignments - it does seem that they have chosen to only send Yanhao (Dwayne) Li for the men and not utilize the other 4 spots earned which is great news for France and Canada as they can expect to pick up 2 additional spots each.

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JGP Bangkok - Renee Tsai (1st alt - Cara Tang, 2nd alt - Misaki Joe), Yanhao Li (no alts)
JGP Wuxi - Cara Tang (1st alt - Renee Tsai, 2nd alt - Misaki Joe), Yanhao Li (no alts)

 

[Cinzano]

Does anyone know when the smaller country assignments will be announced? I am looking for the countries that are only assigned one entry in two events. I keep checking the ISU website but no general announcement has been listed yet.

 

[Karen-W]

Does anyone know when the smaller country assignments will be announced? I am looking for the countries that are only assigned one entry in two events. I keep checking the ISU website but no general announcement has been listed yet.

At the rate the ISU is going with posting (or rather NOT posting) event announcements for events that are scheduled to be held within the next 6 weeks, we might be waiting until we see the individual JGP event announcements to piece together which smaller countries are assigned to which JGPs.

 

[Stephanie]

Announcements with allocations here: https://www.isu.org/docman-document...-66/33979-general-announcement-2024-25-1/file

Of note to fans of US men: they'll have spots in all but Gdansk (so first 4 events, 1 week with no one, and then spots in the last 2 events)

 

[Karen-W]

So, it looks like Georgia relinquished 1 woman's spot in Poland but not their women's spots for the last two events. Estonia chose to relinquish one of its women's spots at China, which gave Italy a 2nd woman's spot there. Here's what we have for the women's reallocation so far:

JGP Latvia - none so far
JGP Czechia - none so far
JGP Thailand - none so far
JGP Turkey - none so far
JGP Poland - GEO relinquished & given to Switzerland
JGP Slovenia - none so far
JGP China - EST relinquished & given to ITA

No 2nd spot for the USA at any of the JGPs yet - it could happen if Georgia does wind up relinquishing either of their women's spots at Slovenia or China before the official event announcements are published.

I'm a little surprised that Estonia freely gave up one of their guaranteed women's spots for China but didn't also relinquish the men's spot they have for that JGP since they have less jr-age men than women.

The men's spots were reallocated like this so far - Slovakia hasn't released any of their men's spots yet:

JGP Latvia - NZL relinquished & given to Estonia
JGP Czechia - none so far
JGP Thailand - none so far
JGP Turkey - NZL relinquished & given to Canada
JGP Poland - NZL relinquished & given to Canada
JGP Slovenia - NZL relinquished & given to Estonia
JGP China - POL relinquished & given to Canada

It appears that France has indicated they aren't going to use any additional spots beyond the 7 they earned at Jr Worlds - which is rather shocking, TBH. They were first in line ahead of both Estonia & Canada to pick up additional men's spots. If that's the case then I fully expect Estonia & Canada to potentially pick up extra spots should Slovakia relinquish any of their 2 at every event.
And onto the Ice Dance reallocations -

JGP Latvia - ISR relinquished 2 spots - CAN & FRA each pick up one
JGP Czechia - ISR relinquished 2 spots - CAN & FRA each pick up one
JGP Thailand - ISR relinquished 2 spots - CAN & FRA each pick up one
JGP Turkey - ISR relinquished 2 spots - CAN & FRA each pick up one
JGP Poland - ISR relinquished 2 spots - CAN & FRA each pick up one
JGP Slovenia - ISR relinquished 2 spots - CAN & FRA each pick up one
JGP China - ISR relinquished 2 spots - CAN & FRA each pick up one

Italy SHOULD have been in line to receive reallocated spots before CAN & FRA picked up an additional spot in every event which would imply they've indicated they don't plan to use any additional spots beyond the 7 they earned at Jr Worlds - a bit surprising if true but there is still a chance for them to pick up additional spots elsewhere if Germany relinquishes any of their spots (and one has to think they will - they don't have 7 dance teams or the $$ to send 7 jr dance teams to 2 JGPs each).

 

[airgelaal]

I'm a little surprised that Estonia freely gave up one of their guaranteed women's spots for China but didn't also relinquish the men's spot they have for that JGP since they have less jr-age men than women.

For example, our federation asked figure skaters if someone could pay for such a long trip on their own. If someone agreed, he received a guaranteed spot, even if he had not been a candidate before. Maybe Latvia has a similar situation.

 

[Marta24]

I'm surprised Cyprus didn't give up the ice dance spots. K/K mentioned after Junior Worlds that they would move up and I don't think that Cyprus has any other dance teams.

 

[sandra_persch]

I'm surprised Cyprus didn't give up the ice dance spots. K/K mentioned after Junior Worlds that they would move up and I don't think that Cyprus has any other dance teams.

I think most of the surrenders spots are just not visible in the document.
I highly doubt Germany will use more than 7 or 8 slots and none being in THA or CHN.

 

[TAHbKA]

NM, the usual Russian media `news for clicks, no news'.

 

[Stephanie]

The Riga announcement is up: https://isu.org/docman-documents-li...ments-165/33983-jgp-lat2024-announcement/file

Estonia picked up an extra men's spot. France and Canada picked up extra dance spots.

 

[Karen-W]

The Riga announcement is up: https://isu.org/docman-documents-li...ments-165/33983-jgp-lat2024-announcement/file

Estonia picked up an extra men's spot. France and Canada picked up extra dance spots.

These reallocations were already known from the initial JGP announcement.

 

[Karen-W]

Mexico has assigned their three JGP Women’s spots - https://www.instagram.com/p/C9LnKTyxEyK/?igsh=dXFxbHJzYmJ5dWc1

Latvia - Cayetana Gonzalez Ryabchikova
Turkey - Regina Garcia de Leon Saab
Thailand - Victoria Tabe Artesanchez

 

[Karen-W]

For anyone interested in who gets the USA's JGP spots in singles -

The leaderboard page for the Junior Cup is live. It kicks off tomorrow at 11:15 Central Time.

2024 U.S. Junior Team Cup (Invite Only)

Event Results for 2024 U.S. Junior Team Cup (Invite Only)

ijs.usfigureskating.org

Are there any free options to watch? There's a $10 PPV (per day) from the official videographer. It doesn't really seem worth paying for though since there will be no music.

Live Streaming Subscription Plans - Chicago Star Productions

Chicago Star Productions

www.chicagostarproductions.com

WARNING: don't pay evening of this post (Monday). Pay day of competition(s).

 

[Karen-W]

Ostrava Announcement is up - https://isu.org/docman-documents-li...ments-165/33998-jgp-cze2024-announcement/file - no changes in allocation for Men, Women or Dance from the General JGP Announcement.

 

[Wyliefan]

News on Korea's JGP Selection Competition:

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Of note -- Minsol Kwon isn't participating (no one seems to know why yet as far as I can tell). Also, there are two new junior dance teams competing: Madeleine Breau/Namu Lee, and Jihu Yoo/Zachary Grant.

 

[Karen-W]

No idea when France is having their JGP selection tests but it should be soon - https://www.instagram.com/stories/romane_lucas_pair.skating/

 

[Karen-W]

JGP Thailand Announcement is up - https://isu.org/docman-documents-li...ouncements-165/34015-jgp-tha2024-announcement - no changes in allocation for Men, Women or Dance from the General JGP Announcement.

 

[Karen-W]

JGP Turkey Announcement is up - https://isu.org/docman-documents-li...ments-165/34019-jgp-tur2024-announcement/file - no changes in allocation for Men, Women or Dance from the General JGP Announcement.

It's a real shame that we know neither Korea nor Slovakia will use 2 Men's spots at every JGP but they're holding onto their spots for each event instead of releasing them so that Canada & France can pick up additional spots at more JGPs.

Korea only has 5 men competing in their JGP Selection Competition this weekend and Slovakia doesn't have 7 jr men to send out on the JGP.