The Grand Prix was organized by the International Skating Union. Skaters competed for prize money and for a chance to compete in the Grand Prix Final. The corresponding series for junior-level skaters was the 2011–12 ISU Junior Grand Prix.
The maximum number of entries at each event was reduced from twelve to ten in singles and from ten to eight in ice dancing.[8] This reduced by twelve the number of available spots in each discipline. The number of spots for pairs had already been reduced to eight and remained at that level.
The number of possible events was increased to three for the top six in each discipline at the 2011 World Championships.[8] This had been allowed in the early years of the Grand Prix series but reduced to two later. If all of the skaters accepted, it would reduce by six the number of available spots for other skaters, which combined with the reduction of entries, would result in 18 fewer spots available to other skaters in each discipline, compared to the previous season. The top six were offered a US$10,000 bonus to compete at three events but face a fine if they later withdraw, even for valid medical reasons. About 29% of the 24 skaters/teams opted for three events.[9]
A minimum score requirement was introduced to the Grand Prix series for the first time.
General requirements
Skaters who reach the age of 14 by 1 July 2011 were eligible to compete on the senior Grand Prix circuit.
Minimum score requirements were added to the Grand Prix series and were set at three-fifths of the top scores at the 2011 World Championships. Prior to competing in a Grand Prix event, skaters were required to earn the following scores:
The top six skaters/teams from the 2011 World Championships were seeded and assigned to two events. They also had the option of competing at a third event, receiving a US$10,000 bonus if they chose to do so, with their best two results counting toward qualifying for the Grand Prix Final.[8] There were no substitutions of the seeded positions.[citation needed]
Skaters who placed 7–12 at 2011 Worlds were guaranteed two assignments. The remaining spots could be given to skaters who placed in the top 24 on the season's best score or world ranking lists.[8] However, these skaters were not guaranteed any events, even if they had a higher Season's Best score than skaters in the top 12 at Worlds but did not compete at the event due to the three-per-country restriction.[citation needed]
The host country was allowed to assign three skaters/teams of their choosing from their country in each discipline.[citation needed]
Skaters who missed one or more seasons but had placed in the top six at any previous World Championships had the option of getting assignments to the Grand Prix under the "Come-back skaters" clause. They were obliged to commit to two events and could take advantage of this clause only once.[citation needed]
The following skaters have received assignments for one or more Grand Prix events:[10]
A list of alternates was used to call up replacements, in the following order:[citation needed]
Come-back skaters
Skaters from split teams which had placed in the top 12 at a previous World Championships
Skaters from the top 24 on the season's best (SB) list
Skaters from the top 24 SB who have only one event
All other skaters in the top 75 SB
Winners of selected international competitions (Nebelhorn, Ondrej Nepela, Finlandia, Coupe de Nice, Ice Challenge, NRW Ice Dance Trophy)
Skaters from split teams which placed in the top 12 at the 2010 or 2011 World Championships and earned the minimum score in that period were not required to earn a new minimum with the new partner.[citation needed]
Skaters ranked according to total score. The short and free columns break down the total score of a skater's best overall event into the short program and free skating.
Men
Top senior Grand Prix scores after six events: Skate America, Skate Canada International, Cup of China, NHK Trophy, Trophée Eric Bompard, Rostelecom Cup, and Grand Prix Final.[21]
Top senior Grand Prix scores after six events: Skate America, Skate Canada International, Cup of China, NHK Trophy, Trophée Eric Bompard, Rostelecom Cup, and Grand Prix Final.[22]
Top senior Grand Prix scores after six events: Skate America, Skate Canada International, Cup of China, NHK Trophy, Trophée Eric Bompard, Rostelecom Cup, and Grand Prix Final.[23]
Top senior Grand Prix scores after six events: Skate America, Skate Canada International, Cup of China, NHK Trophy, Trophée Eric Bompard, Rostelecom Cup, and Grand Prix Final.[24]
The sign * denotes not applicable to pairs and ice dancing. Pairs and ice dancers split the sum. GP total: US$180,000; GP Final total: US$272,000.
After the last event, the 2011 Cup of Russia, the six skaters/teams with the most points advanced to the Grand Prix Final. If a skater or team competed at three events, their two best results counted toward the standings. There were seven tie-breakers:
Highest placement at an event. If a skater placed 1st and 3rd, the tiebreaker was the 1st place, and that beats a skater who placed 2nd in both events.
Highest combined total scores in both events. If a skater earned 200 points at one event and 250 at a second, that skater would win in the second tie-break over a skater who earned 200 points at one event and 150 at another.
Participated in two events.
Highest combined scores in the free skating/free dancing portion of both events.
Highest individual score in the free skating/free dancing portion from one event.
Highest combined scores in the short program/original dance of both events.
Highest number of total participants at the events.
If a tie remained, it was considered unbreakable and the tied skaters all qualified for the Grand Prix Final.
