The inaugural figure skating event will see six skaters, consisting of ice dance and pairs couples plus male and female singles competitors, competing separately before their points are combined for an overall team score.

The ten entrants were decided on a points system earned at a series of recent events including the 2013 World Championships and the ongoing ISU Grand Prix series.

Canada lead the consequent list with 6,053 points, ahead of Russia on 5,459 points, United States 5,274 and Japan 4,062.

These were the exact countries who finished in the top four positions at the ISU World Team Trophy in Tokyo earlier this year, albeit in a different order with the US taking the title on that occasion ahead of Canada, Japan and Russia.

Canada are the top ranked entrant for the inaugural ISU team event and they will hope triple world champion Patrick Chan can inspire them to the gold medal ©Getty Images


The remaining six place will be taken by Italy, France, China, Germany, Ukraine and Great Britain, with Australia and Estonia on standby as reserves.

The contest will take place in two stages at the beginning of the Games, with short programmes and dances taking place at day before the Opening Ceremony (February 6) and with only the top five teams to progress to the free dances and medal rounds. 

Teams may switch up to two team members between the two stages, the ISU said. 

They added that "in general only skaters and couples already qualified for the individual events at the Olympic Winter Games will compete."

"However, in order to complete a team the participants, if necessary and applicable, can make one entry (for one discipline) according to the 'additional athletes quota.'"

This would apply for countries including Britain, who have no skater qualified in the men's individual event, while it also raises the possibility of skater having finished their participation in Sochi before the Games are officially opened. 

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