2012-13 ISU Grand Prix Assignments

[Rock2]

Looks like Canada is starting to place its bets now for the Olympic games, which means picking a smaller pool of skaters to focus on to develop into contenders for the slots.

We're deep in pairs and dance now so there is clear focus. Paul/Islam are the casualty there.

No surprises in Men. Reynolds and Chan are likely to go to Sochi so it's now about finding a 3rd of we get that spot. I think the real contenders are Rogozine and Ten and then I think Firus if he gets the 3A. I'm not convinced about Balde...

Ladies. Wow. Lacoste gets SC because she won nats I'm assuming. Phaneuf has been dumped and will have to win some Bs to get attention back to her. I see a real scenario where Osmond goes to London. I think the wildcard for the Windsor slot is Myriane Samson. If her training is going well she may get a look.

[barbk]

While you may be a huge Gracie fan, she hasn't paid her dues.

Did they add a dues-paying requirement above and beyond basic membership while I wasn't looking?

[Jayar]

I just don't get why Zawadzki always gets so many cahnces
she is even worst than Gao, imo

Huh? Agnes won the U.S. junior title in 2010, and followed that up with Junior Worlds silver. As such, she was assigned to TWO Grand Prix events in the fall of 2010. She was 4th as a senior at 2011 U.S. Nationals, was selected for and won the Junior Worlds bronze medal. As a result, she was selected for two GPs in the fall of 2011. At the 2012 U.S. Championships, she won the bronze medal and was assigned to and placed 6th at 4CCs. She received two GPs as a result. How has she been given so many chances? Seems to me, she hasn't been given chances, but instead has earned her assignments.

[kwanfan1818]

Two things interesting about the Press Release about GP Assignments:

In the language of the release, the only skaters that are guaranteed spots are:

• Seeded skaters (1-6)-two
• 7-12 at prior Worlds-two
• JGPF/JW medalists-one

It says, "and skaters with a high seasons best score as well as those placed in the top of the World Standings can also be invited."

(They mention nothing about "come-back" skaters or the obvious rule change that "split couples" can be assigned in the initial selection, not just the alternates list.)

This may be the ISU being its typical, vaguely worded self, or there might have been a rule change, although the behavior -- all senior skaters in the Top 24 SB and WS got at least one -- followed last year's rules.

The changes in GP minimums are:

• Ladies: 113.43 vs. 117.48 in 2011-12. Cut-off is 98 SB vs. 81 SB.
• Men: 159.66 vs. 168.60 in 2011-12. Cut of is 77 SB vs. 60 SB.
• Pairs: 120.90 vs. 130.71 in 2011-12. Cut-off is 52 SB vs. 33 SB.
• Dance: 109.59 vs. 115.15 in 2011-12. Cut-off is 66 SB vs. 59 SB.

Where the GP minimum differential is ~10 points, in

Pairs,

• There is a 58% increase in the number of teams that made this year's GP minimum.
• 44 SB would have made last year's GP minimum, an increase of 33.34% over last year's qualifiers.

Men

• There is a 28% increase in the number of Men who made this year's GP minimum
• 61 SB would have made last year's GP minimum, an increase of 1.5%.

In Dance, there was a decrease of 5.56 in the GP minimum, and

• There is a 31% increase in the number of teams that made this year's GP minimum
• 63 SB would have made last year's GP minimum, an increase of 7%.

In Ladies, there was a decrease of 4.05, and

• There is a 21% increase in the number of Ladies who made this year's GP minimum
• 89 would have made last year's GP minimum, an increase of 11%.

I think it's interesting that there would have been an increase in the number of skaters who made last year's GP minimum, even though for Men, the change is insignificant.

[love_skate2011]

Huh? Agnes won the U.S. junior title in 2010, and followed that up with Junior Worlds silver. As such, she was assigned to TWO Grand Prix events in the fall of 2010. She was 4th as a senior at 2011 U.S. Nationals, was selected for and won the Junior Worlds bronze medal. As a result, she was selected for two GPs in the fall of 2011. At the 2012 U.S. Championships, she won the bronze medal and was assigned to and placed 6th at 4CCs. She received two GPs as a result. How has she been given so many chances? Seems to me, she hasn't been given chances, but instead has earned her assignments.

past results means nothing if you are a headcase
Zawadzki if she bombs pretty much gets very low scores

[mag]

...No surprises in Men. Reynolds and Chan are likely to go to Sochi so it's now about finding a 3rd of we get that spot. I think the real contenders are Rogozine and Ten and then I think Firus if he gets the 3A. I'm not convinced about Balde...

I'm not sure I would write Balde off just yet. We haven't seen the results of his coaching change. If he comes out and nails a couple of summer comps I think he will be in the mix. When he is on he has the most amazing 3A.

I heard a rumor that Firus is training in Colorado Springs ... anyone down there who can report? I would love him to get a solid 3A so we have a real fight for those spots. I think Chan is a lock - short of a broken bone - but I the other one or two spots could go to any of Reynolds, Ten, Rogozine, Balde, or Firus. I'm not sure there is anyone else out there really in the running.

[haribobo]

Huh? Agnes won the U.S. junior title in 2010, and followed that up with Junior Worlds silver. As such, she was assigned to TWO Grand Prix events in the fall of 2010. She was 4th as a senior at 2011 U.S. Nationals, was selected for and won the Junior Worlds bronze medal. As a result, she was selected for two GPs in the fall of 2011. At the 2012 U.S. Championships, she won the bronze medal and was assigned to and placed 6th at 4CCs. She received two GPs as a result. How has she been given so many chances? Seems to me, she hasn't been given chances, but instead has earned her assignments.

Exactly.

[4rkidz]

As far as I know she's still training with Orser and SC still has a TBA spot for the Ladies. I suppose they could give that spot to Najarro or DeSanctis but I don't really see that happening.

Joannie

Looks like Canada is starting to place its bets now for the Olympic games, which means picking a smaller pool of skaters to focus on to develop into contenders for the slots.

We're deep in pairs and dance now so there is clear focus. Paul/Islam are the casualty there.

No surprises in Men. Reynolds and Chan are likely to go to Sochi so it's now about finding a 3rd of we get that spot. I think the real contenders are Rogozine and Ten and then I think Firus if he gets the 3A. I'm not convinced about Balde...

Ladies. Wow. Lacoste gets SC because she won nats I'm assuming. Phaneuf has been dumped and will have to win some Bs to get attention back to her. I see a real scenario where Osmond goes to London. I think the wildcard for the Windsor slot is Myriane Samson. If her training is going well she may get a look.

Assuming Joannie puts the rumours to rest and doesn't return.. then I think Osmond could be a factor..

I'm not sure I would write Balde off just yet. We haven't seen the results of his coaching change. If he comes out and nails a couple of summer comps I think he will be in the mix. When he is on he has the most amazing 3A.

Reynolds, Ten, Rogozine, Balde, or Firus. I'm not sure there is anyone else out there really in the running.

No I think you have nailed them.. I think it will come down to a consistent clean program and summer monitoring is going to be a major factor..

[Theatregirl1122]

past results means nothing if you are a headcase
Zawadzki if she bombs pretty much gets very low scores

Past results earn you spots on the GP so, in this case, they actually mean everything.

[AJ Skatefan]

Past results earn you spots on the GP so, in this case, they actually mean everything.

Yes, I'm pretty sure that the ISU is only looking at results, not skater psychology or emotional life.

[Jayar]

past results means nothing if you are a headcase
Zawadzki if she bombs pretty much gets very low scores

Everybody gets low scores if they bomb. You just don't like Agnes for some reason, and that's fine. But stop stating that she gets too many chances when all she has done is work hard, performed well enough to earn assignments, and, well, try.

[kwanfan1818]

Yes, I'm pretty sure that the ISU is only looking at results, not skater psychology or emotional life.

Exactly: the ISU's selection criteria is entirely results-based and agnostic to skater psychology and emotional life: it's the Federations that negotiate for their skaters at other events and strategically choose their host picks and skaters' competition (whenever possible in the selection order) at their own events.

It doesn't matter if fans consider a skater an inconsistent headcase or the greatest arteeste on the planet and more deserving than someone who meets the criteria.

[Lara]

As far as I know she's still training with Orser and SC still has a TBA spot for the Ladies. I suppose they could give that spot to Najarro or DeSanctis but I don't really see that happening.

Cynthia recently tweeted about apartment hunting in Toronto, so safe to assume she's committed to training for next season.

[Rock2]

I'm not sure I would write Balde off just yet. We haven't seen the results of his coaching change. If he comes out and nails a couple of summer comps I think he will be in the mix. When he is on he has the most amazing 3A.

I heard a rumor that Firus is training in Colorado Springs ... anyone down there who can report? I would love him to get a solid 3A so we have a real fight for those spots. I think Chan is a lock - short of a broken bone - but I the other one or two spots could go to any of Reynolds, Ten, Rogozine, Balde, or Firus. I'm not sure there is anyone else out there really in the running.

Fair point on Balde. I'll keep him on the short list...but deeper on it
Oh God how I wish we qualify 3 men for Sochi but this will be so hard. Reynolds skated so well but there were a number of guys who finished below him who could have just as easily beaten him...

[JasperBoy]

I have great faith that Balde will show improvement after his coaching and choreographer change. IMHO, he is in the mix but needs to get more experience and opportunities.
Guess I will have to be satisfied with Senior Bs.

Just can't warm up to Rogozine or Firus. Balde, on the other hand......

[carriemarie]

Eyeballing the TBA at SA for US pairs -

I bet it will come down to a 2d assignment for any one of Yankowskas / Reagan, Davis / Ladwig, or Castelli / Shnapir, or perhaps a 1st assignment for Zhang / Bartholomay.

C/S might get an edge if they are landing throw Quads.

FWIW, Y/R will have 2 months together as a pair longer than D/L

Donlan / Speroff are already there.

The summer comps and Nebelhorn will be verryyy important for US pairs!

Indy should be interesting! My guess is Z/B will get Nebelhorn and if they do well at both events will get the TBA spot. I don't see Y/R or D/L being SA ready because of the new partnership, especially Mark and Lindsay as they haven't been together long and Mark has been with one partner for such a long time it has to be a big adjustment.

[Mayra]

This.

No, Josh should not decide when he wants to move up.

It's not just about him and about what he wants.

USFS should do what's in the best interest of US Figure Skating and not what's in the perceived best interest of an individual skater.

Josh is certainly capable of making the JGPF and then even winning it, so keeping him on the JGP for one more season certainly makes more sense than him having just one GP and then placing in the middle of the pack, most likely.

When the did the USFS turn into the Chinese federation?

[4rkidz]

I have great faith that Balde will show improvement after his coaching and choreographer change. IMHO, he is in the mix but needs to get more experience and opportunities.
Guess I will have to be satisfied with Senior Bs.

Just can't warm up to Rogozine or Firus. Balde, on the other hand......

me too he has that 'star' quality that is missing from the others.. although some potential with Firus..

[allezfred]

When the did the USFS turn into the Chinese federation?

This is how all federations work. You have to think strategically when you make decisions on which skaters you are going to send to which competitions. With so many skaters to choose from I imagine it's even more difficult for the USFS. You're never going to please everyone.

[barbk]

This is how all federations work. You have to think strategically when you make decisions on which skaters you are going to send to which competitions. With so many skaters to choose from I imagine it's even more difficult for the USFS. You're never going to please everyone.

I'd completely agree with you when it is the USFSA's choice, but when an athlete is guaranteed a spot under the ISU rules and then is apparently denied the spot by the USFSA, that's wrong. Should Barbie Long go out on the JGP? That's completely up to the USFSA. Should Abbott be denied the GP he earned because the USFSA was very disappointed in his results last year? I don't think so. Brown seems to have earned a spot based on last year's results. Unless the rules changed making that not so, or unless he violated some "morals clause," if he wanted the GP he should have gotten it. Ditto with Farris.

That doesn't mean that the USFSA shouldn't speak with the skater & coach about why they think Plan B might be better -- but in the end, it would seem that it ought to be the skater's choice, and it seemed that Farris, at least, was blindsided.