The 2012–13 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating was a series of senior international figure skating competitions in the 2012–13 season. Skaters competed in the disciplines of men's singles, ladies' singles, pair skating, and ice dancing. Skaters earned points based on their placement at each event and the top six in each discipline qualified to compete at the Grand Prix Final, held in Sochi, Russia. Organized by the International Skating Union, the Grand Prix series ran from October 13 – December 9, 2012. Skaters competed for medals, prize money, and a chance to compete in the Grand Prix Final. The series set the stage for the 2013 European, Four Continents, and World Championships, as well as each country's national championships. The corresponding series for junior-level skaters was the 2012–13 ISU Junior Grand Prix. Schedule The ISU announced the following schedule of events taking place in autumn 2012: Rule changes Between seasons, the ISU eliminated the option for seeded skaters to compete at a third GP event and the option for pairs to compete in both the senior Grand Prix and Junior Grand Prix in the same season. General requirements Skaters who reached the age of 14 by July 1, 2012 were eligible to compete on the senior Grand Prix circuit. Prior to competing in a Grand Prix event, skaters were required to have earned the following scores: Assignments The International Skating Union released the initial list of Grand Prix assignments on May 21, 2012: Due to the 2012 China anti-Japanese demonstrations, the Japan Skating Federation said it might withdraw its competitors from the Cup of China if the organizers did not provide security guarantees. The event was held without incident. Men Ladies Pairs Ice dancing Changes to preliminary assignments Changes to the initial assignments: Skate America Evan Lysacek withdrew due to injury; Armin Mahbanoozadeh replaced him. Skate Canada International Mary Beth Marley / Rockne Brubaker withdrew due to split. Katarina Gerboldt / Alexander Enbert withdrew due to Gerboldt's injury. Cup of China Samuel Contesti withdrew due to retirement, replaced by Sergei Voronov. Carolina Kostner withdrew due to insufficient fitness. Miki Ando withdrew because she was unable to find a permanent coach. Wenjing Sui / Cong Han withdrew due to Sui's injury. Narumi Takahashi / Mervin Tran withdrew because she required surgery on a repeatedly dislocating left shoulder. Caitlin Yankowskas / Joshua Reagan withdrew due to Reagan's rib injury. Rostelecom Cup