COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Minot native Leah Neset and ice dance partner Artem Markelov will make their ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating debut this season at Skate Canada International in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, this weekend, according to U.S. Figure Skating.

The duo turned in strong outings this fall at Denis Ten Memorial, placing fifth, and Kinoshita Group Cup, where they claimed the bronze medal.

Grand Prix competition begins Friday, Oct. 31, with the pairs and women’s short programs. The event resumes Saturday, Nov. 1, with the rhythm dance, men’s short program, pairs free skate and women’s free skate. Competition concludes on Sunday, Nov. 2, with the men’s free skate and the free dance.

U.S. Figure Skating reports Neset and Markelov are one of three U.S. ice dance teams that will travel north of the border for competition.

The competition is the third of six in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series. The Grand Prix Series, which started in 1995, consists of six international events in a cumulative point-scoring format. Each athlete or team is eligible to score points in up to two of the six scheduled events. The top six point-earners in each discipline qualify for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2025, set for Dec. 4-7 in Nagoya, Japan.

U.S. Figure Skating is the national governing body for the sport of figure skating in the United States as recognized by the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee and the International Skating Union.