2021-22 ISU Grand Prix assignments announced

[peibeck]

I'm guessing Sweden just lost a boatload of money hosting Worlds with no spectators; so I'd be doubtful if they want to pick up GP event right away.

I'm guessing most American skaters would be happy with another European country picking up the event, as it's slightly less taxing travel than to Asia.

I can imagine the ISU hoping Korea might want to pick up this slot, however.

 

[Karen-W]

I too feel that there will be a replacement GP somewhere. I too like the idea of Boston stepping up, though I won't make the trip.

Ideally a European country like Germany/Italy will be nice. Germany used to host a GP in the previous century.

Now my concern is about the Winter Olympics though. I hope China will not back out of it. It will cost them a lot of money if they back out, right?

Japan did a splendid job of hosting the Olympics, and the summer Olympics are much bigger than the winter ones. SonInam hoping that the 2022 Olympics will take place.

Hell would have to freeze over before China gives up on hosting these Olympics and making Beijing the first city to host both Summer and Winter. While the Winter Olympics have less athletes than the Summer, this could be a far greater logistical challenge given that there is a separate mountain cluster for the skiing/sliding events which is a few hours away from Beijing.

I'm guessing Sweden just lost a boatload of money hosting Worlds with no spectators; so I'd be doubtful if they want to pick up GP event right away.

I'm guessing most American skaters would be happy with another European country picking up the event, as it's slightly less taxing travel than to Asia.

I can imagine the ISU hoping Korea might want to pick up this slot, however.

I highly doubt South Korea is able or interested right now. Their national lockdowns have been even more extreme than Australia and the KSF is struggling with finding venues where they can host internal ranking competitions. Plus they weren't interested in hosting the GP event that China bailed on a few years ago, hence GP Finland instead. So, I really don't think they are in the mix.

 

[MacMadame]

Now my concern is about the Winter Olympics though. I hope China will not back out of it. It will cost them a lot of money if they back out, right?

They could postpone them like happened with the Summer Olympics.

 

[Karen-W]

They could postpone them like happened with the Summer Olympics.

They could. I'm not sure the IOC wants to do that again. It will be interesting to see what the next few months hold. We should know by the start of the GP whether or not the Olympics are going to happen this season.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

What happens to Bradie if there is no alternative for her?

Bradie will directly qualify to the Grand Prix final

 

[rfisher]

Bradie will directly qualify to the Grand Prix final

Works for me. In fact, I'll spot you Amber if Mariah or Karen can go as well. No, that won't work because I want 4 Russians.

4 Russians, Bradie and Kaori. They just need to go ahead and book them.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Can I trade you one Russian for Alysa? @rfisher

Or how about a Grand Prix final of Bradie, Amber, Kaori and three Russians with Alysa as first alternate?

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Hmmmmm I also do have a soft spot for Loena too.....

 

[Theatregirl1122]

What happens to Bradie if there is no alternative for her?

The same thing that happens to the other 41 skaters/teams who are there, presumably?

I do hope a federation known for its ability to take over and organise an event and having an appropriately sized venue applies and gets it.

Well, I imagine the ISU would be thrilled if such a federation offered.

 

[jamesy]

What happens to Bradie if there is no alternative for her?

Give her the TBD at SKAM and make her skate twice.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Give her the TBD at SKAM and make her skate twice.

Bwahhhhhhh

 

[rfisher]

Can I trade you one Russian for Alysa? @rfisher

Or how about a Grand Prix final of Bradie, Amber, Kaori and three Russians with Alysa as first alternate?

No. Mariah or Karen. Maybe.

 

[AxelAnnie]

I feel a nightmare coming on.

 

[peibeck]

No. Mariah or Karen. Maybe.

The black mark of rfisher on our most artistic skaters!

 

[seabm7]

From what I've read on Twitter, Russia is saying nyet to hosting a second Grand Prix.

Here is the interview article,

В ФФККР отреагировали на отмену этапа Гран-при по фигурному катанию в Китае

Проведение второго этапа Гран-при по фигурному катанию в России вместо отмененных соревнований в Китае вряд ли возможно, найдется большое количество стран,... РИА Новости Спорт, 16.08.2021

rsport.ria.ru

Kogan says one GP is enough for them.

 

[rfisher]

The Russians don't need another GP, apart from the prize money for the athletes. If need be, they'll just do the internal Russian cup series again. It worked out pretty well for them at Worlds. But, I do hope the event is picked up so the athletes have a chance to earn that money.

 

[skatingguy]

The Russians don't need another GP, apart from the prize money for the athletes. If need be, they'll just do the internal Russian cup series again. It worked out pretty well for them at Worlds. But, I do hope the event is picked up so the athletes have a chance to earn that money.

Based on the entries - 17/18 possible Women - 16/18 possible Men - 13/18 possible Pairs - 12/18 possible Ice Dance - isn't every event a Russian event. The Grand Prix is a series of mini Russian nationals every week for 6 or possibly 7 weeks.

 

[Miezekatze]

The German federation posted in their Instagram story that they hope a new host will be found, so I doubt they're volunteering

It would be possible to hold an event like that in Germany, since all sports are going on, but IMO the German federation just doesn't have the financial resources for spontanously putting up a Grand Prix.

They needed crowdfunding and Kati Witt donating a significant chunk of the money to finance new team outfits for the German team.

 

[kwanfan1818]

Shen/Zhao skated first in the SP at the Vancouver Olympics -- they were unranked --and they won.

 

[VGThuy]

They should just do random draw like in the old days. Anyway, didn't Virtue/Moir skate really early in the 2016-17 Worlds RD? That RD is what ended up winning them their 2017 Worlds title.

 

[angi]

They should just do random draw like in the old days. Anyway, didn't Virtue/Moir skate really early in the 2016-17 Worlds RD? That RD is what ended up winning them their 2017 Worlds title.

They skated #20 out of #32, in the fifth warm-up group out of seven and won the SD event by 5.5 points (and set a new WR)

 

[MsZem]

Shen/Zhao skated first in the SP at the Vancouver Olympics -- they were unranked --and they won.

And Plushenko skated 10th and won the SP.

 

[VGThuy]

They skated #20 out of #32, in the fifth warm-up group out of seven and won the SD event by 5.5 points (and set a new WR)

That's not as early as I thought. Still, all the worrying about P/C's skate order and they'll sort of be where V/M were in 2017.

 

[Frau Muller]

They could postpone them like happened with the Summer Olympics.

Wow...IF A ONE-YR POSTPONEMENT HAPPENS - a big if - then USA’s Isabeau Levito will be age-eligible for a Winter Olympics in Feb 2023...and Alysa Liu could be stronger than ever, judging by her current trajectory. But...I’d hate to make Nathan, Vincent & Jason have to wait an additional year.

 

[Rukia]

That's not as early as I thought. Still, all the worrying about P/C's skate order and they'll sort of be where V/M were in 2017.

P/C are probably seen as more vulnerable now which is why skating order could potentially hurt them (although I don't think it will if their programs are halfway decent and they can skate to their usual standard).

 

[Colonel Green]

P/C are probably seen as more vulnerable now which is why skating order could potentially hurt them (although I don't think it will if their programs are halfway decent and they can skate to their usual standard).

Skate order matters more in ice dance than in any other discipline.

Skating way earlier wouldn't automatically doom them, by any means, but it would most likely cost them at least a little, and depending on how close the final result ended up being, that could matter. Ice dance can be a game of inches.

And in the V/M example people are citing, they did win the rhythm dance, but P/C also messed up in the RD bigtime at that event, so we'll never know how they would have scored had that not happened.

 

[allezfred]

Personally I think the only person worried about Papadakis/Cizeron’s skating order at the Olympics is in this thread.

 

[million$momma]

Because the borders are shut, our own citizens struggle to get back in, and everyone, including our returning Olympians, has to do 14 days quarantine on entry. Not to mention the current internal lockdowns between states and the Delta variant being allowed to spin wildly out of control in Sydney.

I can't say I'm surprised a GP got cancelled - anyone who thought we were going to get a "normal" season this year has rocks in their head.

Some countries have their heads buried in the sand pretending all is normal though...

 

[million$momma]

The German federation posted in their Instagram story that they hope a new host will be found, so I doubt they're volunteering

It would be possible to hold an event like that in Germany, since all sports are going on, but IMO the German federation just doesn't have the financial resources for spontanously putting up a Grand Prix.

They needed crowdfunding and Kati Witt donating a significant chunk of the money to finance new team outfits for the German team.

Maybe the US will step up. Their **** restrictions are light compared to many counties.

 

[Colonel Green]

Maybe the US will step up. Their **** restrictions are light compared to many counties.

The US has gradually been making it a bit harder to come to the US in the YKW (ironically, given how easy it was in the earliest days), but also it's specifically harder for Russian skaters due to mostly non-YKW-related tensions, which is an issue if you're seeking to relocate Cup of China (or any Grand Prix, really) given the number of big-name Russian skaters in attendance.

The whole Grand Prix setup was designed for a world where borders are open and international travel is easy. Any hitch it that majorly gums up the works. YKW will (hopefully, eventually) become manageable; the US/Russia situation may be more of a long-term problem.