2025 GP Finlandia Trophy: General Info and Pregame Chat

[Seven Sisters]

To add to what @pesto has already written - they were due to skate at the Bolero Cup in September, but withdrew due to injury. They won silver in the Metropole Cup in Nice recently - here's their free skate https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8RXp1YonNk

They are a very charismatic pair, both skate beautifully, and are coached by (previous British European medallists) Penny Coombes and Nick Buckland.

I think they are ones to watch, especially for the next quad. They've already made a lot of progress in seniors.

I saw Phebe & James, and the Browns (also here) skate live at Skate America last weekend. Both teams were incredibly enjoyable to watch, B/H with their very beautifully classic look and long lines and the Browns with their intensity, innovation and incredible—almost telepathic—awareness of each other. Anyone attending live is in for a treat—and that’s even before you consider the rest of the field at this VERY stacked event.

 

[Ruthypegs]

I saw Phebe & James, and the Browns (also here) skate live at Skate America last weekend. Both teams were incredibly enjoyable to watch, B/H with their very beautifully classic look and long lines and the Browns with their intensity, innovation and incredible—almost telepathic—awareness of each other. Anyone attending live is in for a treat—and that’s even before you consider the rest of the field at this VERY stacked event.

Yes, it's an incredibly stacked event - what a treat to look forward to indeed.

I'm also going to British Nationals the following weekend, where Phebe and James, and Lilah and Lewis of course, plus Anastasia and Luke in pairs (amongst many other great teams and singles skaters) are all due to skate - we're so lucky to have Nationals here in Sheffield.

 

[CoyoteChris]

Some of my fav Skaters are arriving!

 

[FlossieH]

I hope the pairs event does go ahead. I think Ana and Luke need another competition to get their last SP out of their system.

Yes, I know that they will be at nationals next week, but they don't really have competition there.

 

[CoyoteChris]

Shoot. The Beggars Group Digital took down the entire NHK gala due to a copyright infringement. I hope nothing so henious happens to the Finlandia.... You will note that no one ever took down a game of the ball because of some tune played...

 

[TT_Fin]

How about if Sofia does not get Visa? Will the spot not be filled or could someone from or staying already Europe (Schengen area) get a quick invitation? Host spots are filled so a Finnish skater is not an option. It is told on Finnish migri web page it may take 15 days...

 

[DemTuppesSeine]

I noticed that Samodelkina is an option in the skate picks, but I've not seen her confirmed to be there anywhere... I guess I will do last minute picks then. Since tomorrow is practice day, we will know more by then I guess. Her name is not on the music rotation list for practices.

 

[TT_Fin]

Unofficial information is Sofia had not gotten the visa until Tuesday night.

 

[skatingguy]

Shoot. The Beggars Group Digital took down the entire NHK gala due to a copyright infringement. I hope nothing so henious happens to the Finlandia.... You will note that no one ever took down a game of the ball because of some tune played...

Individual videos of the performances are still available.

 

[NoNameFace]

Just a small heads-up for those interested (or/and invested) in crafting gifts - unsure if I'll manage to do/finish everything as planned, but if I can, please expect around 25 things to be gifted , and I say things because I've made Moulin Rouge top hat In black and red for Juho (yesterday last minute effort) and for Ioulia I've made green, feathered tiara with some golden beads . Plus the plan is to make more of flowery headband than a crown/wreath for 3 skaters (won't spoil who), but I have tonight and tomorrow to figure it out
Oh, and apologise in advance if this will be too much for some - I totally get my crafts are not universally liked (because it's not even their purpose), but...this may be the competition where I see some of skaters for the last time, so I wanted to make as much as I can, pour my respect, like, love into everything, saying thank you.

Of course looking forward to see skating friends in person (I will be probably seen from Mars with my crafting stuff lol)!!!

 

[Jontor]

How about if Sofia does not get Visa? Will the spot not be filled or could someone from or staying already Europe (Schengen area) get a quick invitation? Host spots are filled so a Finnish skater is not an option. It is told on Finnish migri web page it may take 15 days...

15 days!! Well, I guess we can count Sofia out then...

It is so irritating. She should have gotten 2 spots to begin with...instead the host nations make deals so their skaters have more spots.

Same goes for Aleksandr Selevko.

It's a shame. Both Selevko and Samodelkina had a chance at a GP Final.

 

[4everchan]

15 days!! Well, I guess we can count Sofia out then...

It is so irritating. She should have gotten 2 spots to begin with...instead the host nations make deals so their skaters have more spots.

Same goes for Aleksandr Selevko.

It's a shame. Both Selevko and Samodelkina had a chance at a GP Final.

I'd like to know what deals Skate Canada has made ? Host spots... fine.... some of which would have been guaranteed spots on the circuit with their placements at worlds (for instance, Skate Canada could have not invited Deanna and Max, Piper and Paul, LaLa and Maddie and these would all have received two spots from other hosts, leaving Canada more spots to give to their own).

There was certainly something fishy between France, USA and China in the men category which has been discussed ad nauseam but I don't like the idea of putting all hosts in the same bag. As a matter of fact, Selevko was invited by Skate Canada and Sofia was injured and turned down earlier opportunities as she was ahead on the replacement list. If anything, Sofia's invitation to Finlandia was unfair because injured skaters who are offered spots from the get go, do not have the opportunity to w/d and still receive spots at a later date... and on top of that, Sofia's situation now just wasted a spot in Finlandia as only 11 women will now take part.

I guess fans have favourites and I was pissed off when Osmond won Skate Canada and never received any invitation later on (she was passed by so many weaker skaters) to make sure she "didn't make GPF" ... but rules have changed to avoid that kind of situation and if there are maybe some suspicious moves, I think it's unfair to see that hosts make deals etc. If Selevko wants two spots next year, he needs to earn them by placing high enough at worlds or on the season's best scores. I like him but he is one of the most inconsistent skater out there and he is probably the only one to blame for not picking up two spots this year.

 

[TT_Fin]

Host feds do not get 3 spots to each discipline automatically. Finland had only one male spot, because there was no skater in top75 last season's SB list. I think the purpose of host spots is to attract audience on place.

I suppose as I told before, in Sofia's case ISU had to look what the rules say when skater does not take opportunity to skate but it is not literally WD, which while is clearly said no another opportunity in case of WD. That's why it took so long, but the time would not be enought anyway as Finland threats everyone's visa application equally. I suppose this case will updated next season. Has it happened before?

 

[4everchan]

Host feds do not get 3 spots to each discipline automatically. Finland had only one male spot, because there was no skater in top75 last season's SB list. I think the purpose of host spots is to attract audience on place.

I don't think that's correct. I think that there are no requirements for host spots unless the fed itself has made some. Someone can correct me if I am wrong.

I suppose as I told before, in Sofias case ISU had to look what the rules say when skater does not take opportunity to skate but it is not literally WD, which while is clearly said no another opportunity in case of WD. I suppose this case will updated next season. Has it happened before?

 

[TT_Fin]

I don't think that's correct. I think that there are no requirements for host spots unless the fed itself has made some. Someone can correct me if I am wrong.

I asked Finland's fed why the announced "Finland has one spot for men" and that's what they literally answered me.

 

[4everchan]

I asked Finland's fed why the announced "Finland has one spot for men" and that's what they literally answered me.

In order for a skater/couple to be eligible to compete at an ISU Grand Prix event, a minimum total score must have been achieved in the 2023/24 or current 2024/25 season in an ISU event (Grand Prix, Junior Grand Prix, Championships) or a Challenger Series event. Exceptions apply to host country skaters, previously ranked skaters or split ranked couples who return with new partners.

From the ISU website.

From years of following the sport, hosts spots are at the discretion of the Fed. If Finland doesn't want to invite more of their own because they prefer not having lower ranked skaters, that could be their choice, just like Canada, at times, because they believe that some of their skaters are not strong enough or ready enough has relinquished the spots... but that's about an internal threshold and not something imposed by the ISU.

 

[Jontor]

I'd like to know what deals Skate Canada has made ? Host spots... fine.... some of which would have been guaranteed spots on the circuit with their placements at worlds (for instance, Skate Canada could have not invited Deanna and Max, Piper and Paul, LaLa and Maddie and these would all have received two spots from other hosts, leaving Canada more spots to give to their own).

There was certainly something fishy between France, USA and China in the men category which has been discussed ad nauseam but I don't like the idea of putting all hosts in the same bag. As a matter of fact, Selevko was invited by Skate Canada and Sofia was injured and turned down earlier opportunities as she was ahead on the replacement list. If anything, Sofia's invitation to Finlandia was unfair because injured skaters who are offered spots from the get go, do not have the opportunity to w/d and still receive spots at a later date... and on top of that, Sofia's situation now just wasted a spot in Finlandia as only 11 women will now take part.

I guess fans have favourites and I was pissed off when Osmond won Skate Canada and never received any invitation later on (she was passed by so many weaker skaters) to make sure she "didn't make GPF" ... but rules have changed to avoid that kind of situation and if there are many some suspicious moves, I think it's unfair to see that hosts make deals etc. If Selevko wants two spots next year, he needs to earn them by placing high enough at worlds or on the season's best scores. I like him but he is one of the most inconsistent skater out there and he is probably the only one to blame for not picking up two spots this year.

Yes, I have said before, Canada seemed to be in the clear. But yes, France and the US and China somehow took advantage of the situation and earned spots.

But, one could argue, why give Katherine MS one spot? Yes, she had one great competition last year. And that was good...but it wasn't good enough when there are multiple skaters ranked above her that could have used a 2nd spot (including Samodelkina).

I will never understand the logic in giving out single spots, when that means you have no chance at the GPF. The GP events should be the best of the best and then you have a GPF final that sums it up.

The host spots I understand. Like here in Finland for example, they don't have men or women that are currently ranked high enough, but they have the chance to show the home audience skaters anyway with the host spots.

No wonder why figure skating isn't a bigger sport, when it doesn't follow the prinicple of sport to begin with...

 

[4everchan]

Yes, I have said before, Canada seemed to be in the clear. But yes, France and the US and China somehow took advantage of the situation and earned spots.

But, one could argue, why give Katherine MS one spot? Yes, she had one great competition last year. And that was good...but it wasn't good enough when there are multiple skaters ranked above her that could have used a 2nd spot (including Samodelkina).

I think she was guaranteed one spot through the ISU rules wasn't she ?

I will never understand the logic in giving out single spots, when that means you have no chance at the GPF. The GP events should be the best of the best and then you have a GPF final that sums it up.

Well... I am sure you know how it works because you make the lists every year. Skaters are guaranteed two spots... then a bunch are guaranteed 1. Then there are others. Those guaranteed 2 are usually supposed to be the ones forming the pool of potential GPF participants. There are exceptions to this but that's great. I see it as someone coming out of the blue to win it like Osmond did or someone having a great weekend while being usually inconsistent like Selevko.

The host spots I understand. Like here in Finland for example, they don't have men or women that are currently ranked high enough, but they have the chance to show the home audience skaters anyway with the host spots.

No wonder why figure skating isn't a bigger sport, when it doesn't follow the prinicple of sport to begin with...

Well to follow the principles of sport to being with, skaters shouldn't be evaluated on composition and presentation and given subjective marks Figure skating is weird when you think about it . Beautiful but weird.... and that's why I like it...

 

[Jontor]

I think she was guaranteed one spot through the ISU rules wasn't she ?

Well... I am sure you know how it works because you make the lists every year. Skaters are guaranteed two spots... then a bunch are guaranteed 1. Then there are others. Those guaranteed 2 are usually supposed to be the ones forming the pool of potential GPF participants. There are exceptions to this but that's great. I see it as someone coming out of the blue to win it like Osmond did or someone having a great weekend while being usually inconsistent like Selevko.

Well to follow the principles of sport to being with, skaters shouldn't be evaluated on composition and presentation and given subjective marks Figure skating is weird when you think about it . Beautiful but weird.... and that's why I like it...

Yeah I like it too....but it frustrates me sometimes when things like this happen.

Yes, that thing with Osmond was infuriating!! But that was then, and this is now. The rules have become simpler and better. And when all the guaranteed spots are allocated, they have to go down the SB list. But still, why one spots to many, instead of two for the best ones?

I think that whoever hosts the last GP should have 2-3 spots open that will be filled last minute, if some skater(s) have done exceptionally well previously. Then they could have swept up both Selevko and Samodelkina as they definitely have GPF potential. (Don't know about pairs/dance as I don't follow that).

 

[AlexBreeze]

I don't think that's correct. I think that there are no requirements for host spots unless the fed itself has made some. Someone can correct me if I am wrong.

IIRC it normally applies to only one skater/team per discipline. Other local skaters must be in the top 75 SB. It would be a total mess otherwise.