The aim of this project is to offer a different format inviting seeds, the best skaters in the world plus some wild cards assigned to skaters of the hosting country. A flexible formula to the needs of local TV networks and companies partner of this ambitious project. Every step of this Grand Prix is composed of 2 night events: in the first one, skaters will be divided in the 4 modalities -men and ladies, pairs and dance- they will skate their competition program and judged by an official Jury. In the second day, their performance will be marked by creativity and will be more spectacular to be appreciated by people not involved in Roller Sports; authorities and mass media will be judging skaters.
A ranking will be dressed for every modality, with the sum of points gained in the 1st and 2nd day, with prizes and a final ranking. The FIRS Grand Prix will be an extraordinary event for its collateral initiatives, the improvement of young skaters, the promotion of figure skating, the direct involvement of spectators, by enjoying the tourist opportunities of concerned venues.
Among all the initiatives, we remind you the Itinerary International Course and the Seminar for skaters and coaches conducted by Sara Locandro: theory will have a turn over with practice in the rink where international skaters will act as technicians. An opportunity not to loose for young skaters.
The Grand Prix in Bogotá
This Grand Prix was inserted in the Summer Festival (Festival del Verano) a big event with more than 100 sports, cultural and music events. 3.000.000 persons attended this Festival last year. Thus we had mandatory dates: August 7and 8.
Our sport was just in Bogotá on the occasion of the World Championships in 1980, 1986 and 1998 and we expected a warm welcome, but what occurred is truly amazing. In El Campin Coliseum, a sports venue with 25.000 seats we had 12.000 spectators the 1st night and 13.500 the day after. The enthusiasm of people deeply marked skaters, even those with a long sports career and several participation at the Worlds. The Colombian local TV network Tele Capital live broadcasted the event and in network with others covered all South America.
The ranking
The spectacular and promotional aspects are basic in Grand Prix Project. The ranking is above all a link to the following step; the aim is to create friendship with spectators.
The first night was marked by an alteration due to the altitude, a show and not the competition program.
WORLD ROLLER SKATING GRAND PRIX RANKING- BOGOTA'
Ladies
1° Debora Sbei (Italy) – points 100
2° Marine Portet (France) - points75
3° Nataly Otalora (Colombia) - points 50
Men
1° Pierluca Tocco (Italy) - points 100
2° ex-aequo: Andrea Aracu (Italy) and Daniel Arriola (Argentina) - points 75
4° Diego Duque (Colombia) - points 25
Artistic Pairs
1° Laura Marzocchini/Enrico Fabbri (Italy) - points 100
2° Giulia Merli/Daniele Ragazzi (Italy) - points 75
3° Carolina Otalora/Juan Lemus (Colombia) – points 50
Dance
1° Melissa Comin De Candido/Mirko Pontello (Italy) - points 100
2° Heather Menard/Kile Turley (U.S.A.) - points 75
3° Elena Leoni/Filippo Forni (Italy) - points 50
4° Marcela Cruz/Leonardo Parrado (Colombia) – points 25
International Course
An international course for skaters and coaches conducted by Sara Locandro was held in Bogotá, promoted by FIRS in collaboration with the Colombian and Italian Federations. More than 150 Colombian coaches, coordinated by the Colombian Responsible for figure skating Annick Tavernier, attended it.
The next meetings of Grand Prix
After the big success in Bogotá there is curiosity for the next meetings. The 2010-2011 World Roller Skating Grand Prix will be in Florence/Italy in January, Las Vegas/USA in February ad the final in Dubai in March.
We just began contacts with other capitals that will host the 2012-2013 edition.
