 The forerunner of this event was an open professional championship for show skaters dating back to at least the 1930s that was held in England, initially under the auspices of the National Ice Skating Association of Great Britain, and later organized by the Imperial Professional Skaters Association.The event moved to Jaca with the sponsorship of the International Professional Skaters Union.During the 1980s it was a prestigious event with wide television coverage in Europe.