Japan Skating Federation and U.S. Figure Skating planning annual competition

According to a Japanese language article at Nikkansports.com, the Japan Skating Federation and U.S. Figure Skating have plans in motion to hold a Team Japan vs Team USA skating competition beginning with the 2006 - 2007 season.

 

The two nations teams would consist of eight skaters each, 4 Men and 4 Ladies.  The article states this new team competition would begin on October 30th of this year at a site (tbd) in the U.S.  The idea is to make this an annual competition to be held alternatively in each country every other year through the 2010 Olympic season.

 

According to JSF officials, this new format will offer the strongest possible competitive opening to each skating season.

 

Original Article @ Nikkansports.com