Rostelecom Cup

The Rostelecom Cup () – originally known as the Cup of Russia () – was an annual figure skating competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union (ISU), organized and hosted by the Figure Skating Federation of Russia. The first iteration was held in 1996 in Saint Petersburg as part of the Champions Series (later renamed the Grand Prix Series). It had been a Grand Prix event every year until the ISU barred Russia from hosting international skating competitions after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Medals were awarded in men's singles, women's singles, pair skating, and ice dance. Skaters earned points based on their results at the qualifying competitions each season, and the top skaters or teams in each discipline were invited to then compete at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final.

Evgeni Plushenko of Russia holds the record for winning the most Rostelecom Cup titles in men's singles (with eight), while Irina Slutskaya of Russia holds the record in women's singles (with seven). Three teams are tied for winning the most titles in pair skating (with three each): Elena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze of Russia, Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao of China, and Aljona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany, although Savchenko also won an additional title with a different partner. Five teams are also tied for winning the most titles in ice dance (with three each): Ekaterina Bobrova and Dmitri Soloviev of Russia, Barbara Fusar-Poli and Maurizio Margaglio of Italy, Anjelika Krylova and Oleg Ovsyannikov of Russia, Tatiana Navka and Roman Kostomarov of Russia, and Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov of Russia.

History

Beginning with the 1995–96 season, the International Skating Union (ISU) launched the Champions Series – later renamed the Grand Prix Series – which, at its inception, consisted of five qualifying competitions and the Champions Series Final. This allowed skaters to perfect their programs earlier in the season, as well as compete against the skaters with whom they would later compete at the World Championships. This series also provided the viewing public with additional televised skating, which was in high demand. Skaters earned points based on their results in their respective competitions and the top skaters or teams in each discipline were invited to compete at the Champions Series Final.

The first edition – the 1996 Cup of Russia – was held in Saint Petersburg. Alexei Urmanov and Irina Slutskaya, both of Russia, won the inaugural men's and women's events, respectively. Mandy Wötzel and Ingo Steuer of Germany won the pairs event, while Anjelika Krylova and Oleg Ovsyannikov of Russia won the ice dance event. The Cup of Russia adopted its current name in 2009 in recognition of its sponsor, the telecommunications company Rostelecom.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a number of modifications were made to the structure of the 2020 Rostelecom Cup. The competitors consisted only of skaters from Russia, skaters already training in Russia, or skaters assigned there for geographic reasons. However, the event became controversial after apparent COVID-19 spread among attendees led to suggestions that it had been a superspreading event. Despite some precautionary measures being taken, the organizers of the Rostelecom Cup, as with many other Russian domestic competitions during the season, came under criticism for allowing a large audience and an insufficient enforcement of mandates regarding social distancing and proper mask usage. A focal point of criticism was the decision to hold the traditional post-competition banquet where many skaters were documented not wearing masks or socially distancing at all, as well as sharing food from a communal buffet. Several Russian skaters who competed at the event reported contracting the virus in the weeks afterward, including Dmitri Aliev, Alena Kostornaia, Elizaveta Tuktamysheva, Victoria Sinitsina, and Nikita Katsalapov. Estonian skater Eva-Lotta Kiibus also reported contracting COVID-19 at the event and was still suffering effects two months later.

Irina Rodnina, three-time Olympic champion for Russia in pair skating and member of the State Duma, strongly criticized the handling of the Rostelecom Cup and cited it as an example of the government needing to more aggressively fine people for non-compliance. After the event, an American journalist questioned Jan Dijkema, then-president of the ISU, as to whether the Figure Skating Federation of Russia would be sanctioned over their disregard for safety protocols. Dijkema acknowledged "the regrettable news about the situation involving positive test results for COVID-19," but denied that the ISU would take responsibility, citing the semi-domestic nature of the 2020–21 Grand Prix series.

Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russian and Belarusian athletes were banned from participating in international figure skating competitions. The ISU also ordered that no international competitions be held in Russia or Belarus. Therefore, the Rostelecom Cup, which was scheduled for that November, was cancelled. As such, the Grand Prix of Espoo was staged to serve as a replacement.

Medalists

Men's singles

Women's singles

Pairs

Ice dance

Records

Cumulative medal count

Men's singles

Women's singles

Pairs

Ice dance

Total medals

References

External links

Rostelecom Cup
at Skating Scores

{{Grand Prix Figure skating

ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating
International figure skating competitions hosted by Russia
Recurring sporting events established in 1996
1996 establishments in Russia