Are you ready for more figure skating? While we are in the national championship season, there are more international competitions on the horizon.
The FISU 2023 Winter University World Games (formerly known as Winter Universiade), which took place in Lake Placid, New York Statelater this month, run away from January 12–22with figure skating from January 13-15.
As the name suggests, the competition is open to senior skaters who are also students or graduates of the university in 2022. And they will compete in a historic city on historic ice – Lake Placid hosted twice Winter Olympic Games, in 1932 and 1980and the ice rink at ul Lake Placid Olympic Center will be used for training and competition.
It is also not a secondary event – many Olympians were selected for the event, led by the Japanese Sakamoto Kaorisingles bronze medalist from Beijing in 2002 and the current world champion.
Three of the four regular figure skating categories will be held at Lake Placid single men and women but also dance on icebut not couple.
Athletes to Watch: World Champion Sakamoto is a star
Fresh from defending her title at the Japanese Championships, world champion Sakamoto excels in these three disciplines.
She is accompanied by her training partner and recent Grand Prix Final champion Mihara Mai. Mihara is the defending champion from 2019 and the 2021 event has been cancelled.
Kim Ye-limwho defeated Sakamoto in the NHK Trophy and was the only representative of the Republic of Korea in this year’s Grand Prix Final, was also selected alongside the PyeongChang 2018 Olympian Choi Dabin.
Beijing 2022 Olympians Ekaterina Kurakova (Poland) i Ewa-Lotta Kiibus (Estonia) are also in the field of women.
Olympic silver medalist Kagiyama Yuma was scheduled to feature in the top men’s competition, but withdrew after continuing to struggle with an ankle injury that prevented him from returning to compete at the Japanese Nationals on Christmas Day.
Sato Shun and Yamamoto Sotawho both competed in the Grand Prix Final, will lead the charge alongside Japan Tsuboi Tatsuya.
One claimant to the Japanese may come from Italy Nicholas Memolathe winner of the Junior Grand Prix Final who will advance to the senior level.
With the US nationals set for a week later, the hosts are not sending a full roster with significant international experience.
Although he does not compete, an Olympian from the USA Karen Chen will attend the gala.
How to watch figure skating at the 2023 Winter Universiade
The FISU 2023 Winter University World Games (formerly the Winter Universiade) will be broadcast on air FISU TV channel on YouTubeand on the ESPN+ streaming service, as well as ESPN2 and ESPNU on TV in the United States, TSN in Canada and Eurosport in various European countries.
The figure skating competition at the 2023 Winter University World Games will also be streamed live on the Olympic Channel via Olympics.com, although this will not be available in the United States or Canada (other territorial restrictions may also apply).
Figure Skating Schedule – FISU Winter World University Games 2023 Lake Placid
All times are in Eastern Time (UTC/GMT -5 hours). The schedule is tentative and subject to change.
Friday January 13
- 13:00 Rhythmic dance on ice
- 17:00 Short program for men
Saturday 14 January
- 13:00 Short program for women
- 20:00 Free dance on ice followed by Victory Ceremony
Sunday January 15
- 13:00 Men’s free skate followed by victory ceremony
- 19:00 Women’s free skate followed by victory ceremony
