The only thing that makes any sense is that USFS used the Skate America slot for horse (skater) trading.
2025 Grand Prix Assignments
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AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)
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Are you talking about in men’s? If so, it’s kind of obvious they gave away a host spot? The US is a top powerhouse. We can fill out the slots, I mean, that should’ve been given to Max, I find it disrespectful…
If Ilia did not want skate America, then it should be Jason, Max, and one TBD.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen that…
AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)
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Maybe China will also give away one hot spot? Don’t know.
TanithandBenFan
Author of the Ice and Edge Series
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I’m glad the SA lineup isn’t up to its usual standards so I won’t have much FOMO.
Private Citizen
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My guess is Malinin was originally on the roster for Skate America but made a late request to move due to timing or location. There was probably no way to switch around except by giving up a host spot.
Wyliefan
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French dance TBDs should be Dupayage/Nabais and a second spot for Fradji/Fourneaux, no? Unless they want to give something to PG/BK, who IIRC are new seniors. But they're down in 37th, well below the other two teams.
Maybe there was some behind the scenes trade we don't know about it? Or, maybe they're so frustrated that none of the men not named Ilia or Jason are stepping up, so they said "Screw it. This will teach them."
Or nobody wants to travel to Lake Placid? It really is weird. Even if they wanted skaters to battle it out for the spots, they could have left two open. Or, they could have had Broussard or Torgy do one of their two at Skate America. There is one American TBD spot for Skate America, so one of these guys can get one those spots. But, they could have had an additional American man at Skate America.
It does give him time to train and compete later in the season, and for a couple of seasons before last season, he had been trying to peak for competition later and go easier on his body. So, I suppose it could be his choice. (And, if Ilia didn't want SkAm, they definitely would have wanted Jason.)
kwanfan1818
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And how much bigger a tell could it be than trading away a host spot for one of the US's stronger disciplines? USFS has three world champions, and it would be a tell if they gave away a Pairs spot, let along a Men's spot. But, then, shameless signalling of corruption, rather than keeping it behind the scenes, appears to be the "in" thing these days.
Karen-W
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You're not gonna convince me in any world that exists that Jacob Sanchez would have turned down a SkAm assignment. He's closer to Lake Placid than even Max!Maybe there was some behind the scenes trade we don't know about it? Or, maybe they're so frustrated that none of the men not named Ilia or Jason are stepping up, so they said "Screw it. This will teach them."
Has to have been some sort of horse-trade with both the FFSG & CFSA to get Max & Camden invitations, as far as I can tell.
Mind, I don't think that any of these guys except Jacob are going to show up at Cranberry in the shape they need to be in to win the spot, so I'm fine with it.
Finnice
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I so want to come, too! But I have already 4 trips between Aug 29. and Oct 7, and I should also work at some phase.
I was joking. I don't think Jacob would have turned down Skate America, either. I think the odds are that it was part of some deal.
Of course, they could have given Max and Camden spots at Skate America, but competing earlier in the season gives them a chance to maybe earn an invitation for a second spot.
Karen-W
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Jackie Wong had Michelle Ellis, who works for NBC Sports, join him for an initial hot take on X Spaces earlier - some good observations.
Both note that the Shibs are facing off against GreenP and ZingKol at their GPs. So, we're going to see how that shakes out with those three teams for the last Oly dance spot, IMO.
Both note that the Shibs are facing off against GreenP and ZingKol at their GPs. So, we're going to see how that shakes out with those three teams for the last Oly dance spot, IMO.
AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)
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Also surprised that Sofia Sam only got one spot, is this what happens when you don’t have a big Federation lobbying?
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I didn’t pick up in that, but that’s pretty crafty. It also sends a message to the lower-ranked teams who the players are. I don’t worry about Nes/Mark, they have plenty of time, but the others are looking like also-rans.
AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)
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Three French ice dance teams at skate America? That’s odd.
And three Italian men at skate America, although not as odd.
And three Italian men at skate America, although not as odd.
Karen-W
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Neither did I. One of the women's skating-focused IG accounts I follow picked up on the NHK being a face-off between Isabeau, Sarah & Bradie & posited the theory that's the showdown for the 3rd US women's spot.
Private Citizen
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I think you mean Skate Canada rather than NHK?
Levito goes up against Lin-Gracey in France, too. All of the skaters with a chance of knocking her off the team have a head-to-head opportunity.
Karen-W
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Yup!The USFS is certainly giving the other three a reasonable shot at making a solid case for the 3rd spot for themselves.
I can't imagine that USFS is going to make the decision based on one competition, but I can see it being a factor, especially since the Shibs have been out of competition for so long.
Does USFS (or any fed) control where its non-seeded skaters/teams go, other than the ones they choose for SA? My understanding is outside of the seeded groups, the host feds choose. They have to have 2 slots for the skaters finishing 7-12 at Worlds, so Green/P were obviously going to be chosen by 2 hosts, but does USFS really get to tell another host to also choose teams X and Y so they can see how they match up for their own purposes?
The Observer
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Why did it work out like that for the dance event in Finland?
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I think FB/Ciz and the Shibs scrambled a lot of wish lists and strategies, but it’s just a guess.
peibeck
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Because it's DANCE and DRAMA is required, especially for the last chance to get GPF slots.
Karen-W
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Jackie Wong certainly seemed to imply that the host feds maybe discuss amongst themselves who they'd like to see matching up when two or more non-seeded skaters/teams from one country are selected for the different GPs.
It would be really cool if some ISU or host fed officials sat down for an interview to give some additional information about how the selection meeting actually works. I think I've heard in the past that the host feds draw lots for the selection order of each discipline & they get to pick 1 skater every round until their fields are filled out, but who really knows? It's also something that I feel what may have been true about the process a decade ago has perhaps evolved.
I have a working theory, based on how the Pairs selections have played out the past few seasons that the host feds make their host picks, then the seeded/invited skaters are selected, then comeback skaters, and then the teams guaranteed 1 GP are selected and they start with the SB Top 24, then go to the WS Top 24. If they run out of spots, then the skaters on the bottom of the WS Top 24 don't get 1 spot. That's the only way to logically explain why BecGuar & HolDar didn't get 1 GP this year, same as Caldara/Maglio last year (who were WS 22 at the time).
Vagabond
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In principle, no. If, on the other hand, the federation gives up one of its Men's host spots when there are several domestic skaters with the TES minimums....
Vagabond
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I trust that the event organizers will be playing "Last Dance" by Donna Summer at every available opportunity.Because it's DANCE and DRAMA is required, especially for the last chance to get GPF slots.
Rukia
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of course cpom finally get skam when it's not 15 minutes down the road from me
clairecloutier
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I am really scratching my head at both Alysa and Chock/Bates at Cup of China. Chock/Bates have done NHK as their second GP for 3 out of the last 4 years, so it's surprising that would change in what's presumably their final season. (Is it possible the Chinese fed is offering some kind of incentive, LOL?)
Overall this has to be the weakest lineup of U.S. skaters at Skate America in quite some time.
Only 2 of the 4 national champions, only 2 U.S. men, only Alysa of the top U.S. women, and none of the pairs podium from Nationals? Very odd, and it will not help ticket sales.
Beccari/Guarise not being on the list makes we wonder if their partnership is over.
Overall this has to be the weakest lineup of U.S. skaters at Skate America in quite some time.
Only 2 of the 4 national champions, only 2 U.S. men, only Alysa of the top U.S. women, and none of the pairs podium from Nationals? Very odd, and it will not help ticket sales.Beccari/Guarise not being on the list makes we wonder if their partnership is over.
I tend to go with Private Citizen's theory that USFS had to essentially swap Ilia out for another skater, presumably Shaidorov, to get him the France spot. But if USFS gained any favors involving dance, I feel like they should use them on something more consequential than a GP matchup.In principle, no. If, on the other hand, the federation gives up one of its Men's host spots when there are several domestic skaters with the TES minimums....
Can you come to St. Louis?
I assumed C/B's first GP would be either France or China. Doing NHK would have required them to compete both events back to back. Not easy to do, esp when travel to/from Asia is involved.
I am surprised that Alysa chose China though, given that the last time she was there (Olys), Chinese agents tried to kidnap her.
Yes, the SA lineup isn't great. I don't feel too bad about skipping it. If SC were in a reasonably accessible location (less than 10 hours to get there), i would go.
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