updated 17.3.2026
Olympic Development Project 2026-2029
The first seminar session will be held on 18–22 May 2026 at Vierumäki, launching the four‑year Olympic Development Project (ODP). The aim of the project is to support the long-term development of European skaters and coaches on their path toward international excellence and the 2030 Winter Olympics. In the first year, the project will focus on single skating and ice dance.
The goal is to organize a seminar every spring until 2029. Participants will always be given priority to register for the following year’s seminar. While participants are encouraged to attend the full seminar series, it is not mandatory.
The event is organized by Skating Finland and hosted at the Finnish Sports Institute, Vierumäki.
ODP provides coaches and skaters with an opportunity to develop their skills to meet Olympic-level standards, strengthen collaboration between disciplines, and support athletes in transitioning from junior to senior level. All seminars will be held in English.
Skating Finland invites ISU’s European member federations to participate. Member federations will nominate their participants according to the given criteria, and Skating Finland will make the final selection from the applicants.
Criteria for Participants
Singles skating:
Athletes must demonstrate potential for the 2030 Winter Olympics. Guiding criteria include meeting the ISU CTES thresholds (WJCH / Europeans) for the 2025–2026 season and performing at least three different triple jumps.
The seminar will accept 40 singles coaches and 30 skaters.
Ice dance:
Pairs must have competed internationally.
The seminar will accept 16 ice dance coaches and 12 couples.
Seminar Content
The seminar includes on‑ice and off‑ice training, physical testing, lectures, and discussion sessions.
Seminar Moderators
The seminar will be led by experts including:
Michael Huth, Michal Brezina, Maurizio Margaglio, Luca Lanotte, Virpi Horttana, Leena Laaksonen, Virpi Kunnas-Helminen, Stéphane Lambiel, Joanna Kerkelä, Arnaud Muccini, Riina Valto, as well as Vierumäki specialists and other experts.
The final list of moderators will be published once confirmed.
Information
Announcement