2025 Grand Prix Assignments

[barbk]

Well, I swore I wasn't going to go back to Angers for a third consecutive year... and yet I am. Airbnb booked!

I'm thinking of going. Where best to fly into from out of the US, please?

 

[Wyliefan]

Yeah, I imagine USFS is not thrilled about the SA lineup. At least they can promote the daylights out of Alysa.

Beccari/Guarise not being on the list makes we wonder if their partnership is over.

They posted a training video a week ago, so that would have been a very recent breakup.

My bet is on Célina Fradji / Jean-Hans Fourneaux and Louise Bordet / Martin Chardain.

Bordet/Chardain are 65th in the standings, to Dupayage/Nabais's 30th. I mean, I guess it could happen if they really want to give B/C something, but it seems unlikely.

 

[Vagabond]

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.

Ensuring that Laurence Fournier-Beaudry doesn't obtain French citizenship any time soon, perhaps?

 

[nylynnr]

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.

Could be, but if that was the case I think USFS could still have thrown its weight around a bit.

 

[Debbie S]

Ensuring that Laurence Fournier-Beaudry doesn't obtain French citizenship any time soon, perhaps?

Well, from what we've heard, that's a done deal. But on that note, if only USFS could influence the U.S. citizenship timeline the way the French fed can apparently influence their country's timeline....

 

[rinettoii]

Ugh I don't wanna be insensitive, but why did USFS campaign so hard for Max to have a spot and then have it all turn out like this? No hate to Max at all, I just can't get over only 2 of the USA men's spots being used at SkAm.

Edit: In hindsight it sounds like I'm attributing this all to Max, when we don't actually know what happened behind-the-scenes. I think this is more of an example of big-fed privileges because at least 10 skaters ranked higher than Max on the SB list got skipped.

 

[Karen-W]

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?)

But with NHK & SkAm being back to back and SCI having GilPoir, process of elimination said they'd pick either GPdF or CoC as Debbie said below.

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.

It really is a weak lineup. Dance is the only field that's interesting in any way.

Also, aren't ChoBat the only National Champions assigned to SkAm? Amber, Ilia & EfiMit are elsewhere.

Beccari/Guarise not being on the list makes we wonder if their partnership is over.

She posted a clip of them skating last month - no one is sure if it was new or old & neither have posted anything since, but he's probably busy in his personal life & doesn't have time for social media with his wife expecting sometime this summer.

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.

???? How so? Ilia is seeded 1-3 while Adam is seeded 4-6. What sort of swap would be necessary to get Ilia assigned to GPdF? The FFSG may not have been thrilled with Ilia wanting France but no scenario for Adam is necessarily ideal. Shaidorov is on the rise and Kagiyama is hungry.

I am surprised that Alysa chose China though, given that the last time she was there (Olys), Chinese agents tried to kidnap her.

She must feel like it's safe for her to go. And, frankly, I think it's safer now than it was in 2022. There is no way that the CCP would risk the diplomatic dustup that would ensue if they tried anything with the reigning World Champion. Think Brittney Griner x 10.

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.

Ice dance and women look fairly interesting, but only if one is a diehard skating fan. The pairs & men's fields are dire. Shaidorov, Brown & Aymoz are not enough to make that worthwhile at all. And the less said about MetBeru, HocKun, the Ruzbeks & LaurEth making up half the pairs field at SkAm the better.

 

[Karen-W]

Bordet/Chardain are 65th in the standings, to Dupayage/Nabais's 30th. I mean, I guess it could happen if they really want to give B/C something, but it seems unlikely.

I think you just answered your own question... Except, Dupayage/Nabais are SB 44, not 30th. Lagouge/Caffa are SB 32.

Plus, there's the rumored Flores/Colmor Jepsen partnership that could be in the mix for a GPdF host spot.

 

[angi]

Another interesting dance observation - with L/LG and F/A each getting one assignment, I would assume Canada's TBD will go to the team who looks the best at high performance camp. L/LG got their choreography at IAMO, so I hope F/A will get more than the usual generic material they seem to be getting.

 

[sus2850]

I will be in Helsinki and I am very happy with that. Full on ice dance drama. Plus Jason. Amber. And our German pair

 

[Debbie S]

???? How so? Ilia is seeded 1-3 while Adam is seeded 4-6. What sort of swap would be necessary to get Ilia assigned to GPdF? The FFSG may not have been thrilled with Ilia wanting France but no scenario for Adam is necessarily ideal. Shaidorov is on the rise and Kagiyama is hungry.

We don't know when skaters officially state their GP preferences and whether it was before or after the France/USA date swap. If Ilia made a request to change after choices were submitted, then USFS would have to agree to take whatever skater in his seeding group chose France. Of course, no other skaters were chosen to fill out the field until this week, but we don't know when/how the swapping occurred, if that's what happened.

She must feel like it's safe for her to go. And, frankly, I think it's safer now than it was in 2022. There is no way that the CCP would risk the diplomatic dustup that would ensue if they tried anything with the reigning World Champion. Think Brittney Griner x 10.

I think kidnapping an Olympian during the Olys, regardless of their world medal status, would have been a pretty big deal. I hope Alysa has sufficient security and stays safe.

 

[Private Citizen]

I'm thinking of going. Where best to fly into from out of the US, please?

Probably Paris (either CDG or Orly, if you're connecting) and then metro to Gare Montparnasse (allow 1h from Orly, 1.5 from CDG), then 1h20m train to Angers.

There's also Nantes airport, but it's a 20-30 minute bus ride to the city center, followed by a 45 minute train ride to Angers. And I don't think any non-budget airlines fly there, meaning you'd not be able to get a protected connection from the US.

I've flown into Nantes the past two years, but I think I'm going to take the Eurostar to Paris and then the SNCF train to Angers this time. Unfortunately, the times don't seem to line up, so I'm stuck with either a very tight connection between Gare de Nord and Gare Montparnasse or 2+ hours.

 

[Karen-W]

I think kidnapping an Olympian during the Olys, regardless of their world medal status, would have been a pretty big deal. I hope Alysa has sufficient security and stays safe.

Well, sure, I don't disagree with that, but the fact that the CCP was even engaging in that shit in the Olympic Village makes me wonder. They were certainly engaging in all sorts of illegal activities with respect to surveilling her father & family here in the US during the summer/fall of 2021. I just don't see them being quite as brazen now without it getting really ugly, diplomatically speaking, really fast.

 

[Vagabond]

Well, from what we've heard, that's a done deal.

There is no apparent basis under French law for it's being a done deal.

How to Get French Citizenship: Requirements & Application Process

Learn how to obtain French citizenship through naturalization, marriage, birth, or special exemptions. Find out eligibility criteria, required documents, and step-by-step application process.

life-in-france.net

Fournier-Beaudry doesn’t live in France and doesn't have a French parent or a French spouse. She  is an elite athlete, but she lives in Canada. Elite skaters such as Vanessa James and Evgenia Lopareva did actually live in France for at least two years before obtaining citizenship.

So perhaps the FFSG has agreed to stick to the law in exchange for a favor or two.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

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.

I thought the exact same thing a few hours ago… I was like does USFSA want to sell tickets to Americans …. and first of all it’s only a close venue for a limited amount of people and if I have to travel, I’m gonna travel to Prague or Finland for something a bit more exciting.

 

[Rukia]

laws are for unattractive poor people

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Beccari/Guarise not being on the list makes we wonder if their partnership is over.

I don’t think so, they were Instagram posts of her being back on the ice a while ago.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

laws are for unattractive poor people

Karen Walker has arrived

 

[Karen-W]

Bookmark this for the upcoming season in ice dance:

GPdF -FBCiz,FearGib & GuigFab in some order, 4th & 5th - DavSmo & ReedAmbru in some order
CoC -ChoBat,SmaDie & LopBri in some order, 4th & 5th - GreenP & ZingKol in some order
SCI -GilPoir,LajLag,CarPon, 4th - TurkVers, 5th - Mrazkovi
NHK -Shibs,FearGib & GuigFab in reverse order of their GPdF placements, 4th - GreenP, 5th - Taschlers
SkAm -ChoBat,CarPon,LajLag, 4th - LopBri, 5th - Mrazkovi
Finlandia -GilPoir,FBCiz & Shibs in some order, 4th & 5th - SmaDie & TurkVers in some order

GPF qualifiers -
30 pts - ChoBat & GilPoir
26 pts - FBCiz or Shibs (dependent upon Finlandia results)
24 pts - FBCiz or Shibs (dependent upon Finlandia results) - wins tiebreaker against all other teams with 24 pts due toat their 1st event
24 pts - 4-way tie for the last two spots between FearGib, GuigFab, LajLag & CarPon - first tiebreaker is highest placement of 2nd for all of them, 2nd tiebreaker is total points - friendly judging panels & later events for both LajLag & CarPon put them into the GPF ahead of FearGib & GuigFab.

GPF -ChoBat & GilPoir in some order,FBCiz, 4th & 5th - LajLag & CarPon in some order, 6th - Shibs

Euros winds up being a massacre with FBCiz coasting to thethat the Brits expected FearGib to win, FearGib hanging ontobecause it's in Sheffield, and SmaDie winningbecause it's in Sheffield.

4CCs - GreenP takewith ZingKol takingandis either a bone thrown to the top Canadian team there or possibly goes to the #3 US team if any of them can differentiate themselves from the rest of the mid-tier US teams somewhat during the fall.

Italians are absolutely devastated going into Milano-Cortina where GuigFab wind up with the consolation prize of a TE bronze medal for their efforts, while the podium winds up beingChoBat,GilPoir &FBCiz, which sets FBCiz up quite nicely for 2030. Also, CarPon get a TEwhen the US splits ice dance because they want ChoBat fresh for the individual event & the Shibs are shut out of any medals in Milano-Cortina.

ETA - Worlds predictions - ChoBat & GilPoir skip Prague - duh. FBCiz will show up & win& everyone will rage about how GuigFab were robbed when FearGib nab, meanwhile those of us ready for the LajLag-CarPon domination to begin will be annoyed that GuigFab were given a "thankyouverymuchdon'tletthedoorhityouonthewayintoretirement".

 

[Debbie S]

Italians are absolutely devastated going into Milano-Cortina where GuigFab wind up with the consolation prize of a TE bronze medal for their efforts, while the podium winds up being ChoBat, GilPoir & FBCiz, which sets FBCiz up quite nicely for 2030.

I'm good with those results. But it would be nice to see G/F get the individual bronze at their home country Olys.

I'd be surprised if FB/C continued past this season. I assume they'll do shows while Guillaume continues with his choreo work and Laurence becomes a personal trainer.

 

[clairecloutier]

I'm glad there have been some training videos of Beccari/Guarise! I missed them this past season.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Bookmark this for the upcoming season in ice dance:

GPdF - FBCiz, FearGib & GuigFab in some order, 4th & 5th - DavSmo & ReedAmbru in some order
CoC - ChoBat, SmaDie & LopBri in some order, 4th & 5th - GreenP & ZingKol in some order
SCI - GilPoir, LajLag, CarPon, 4th - TurkVers, 5th - Mrazkovi
NHK - Shibs, FearGib & GuigFab in reverse order of their GPdF placements, 4th - GreenP, 5th - Taschlers
SkAm - ChoBat, CarPon, LajLag, 4th - LopBri, 5th - Mrazkovi
Finlandia - GilPoir,FBCiz & Shibs in some order, 4th & 5th - SmaDie & TurkVers in some order

GPF qualifiers -
30 pts - ChoBat & GilPoir
26 pts - FBCiz or Shibs (dependent upon Finlandia results)
24 pts - FBCiz or Shibs (dependent upon Finlandia results) - wins tiebreaker against all other teams with 24 pts due to at their 1st event
24 pts - 4-way tie for the last two spots between FearGib, GuigFab, LajLag & CarPon - first tiebreaker is highest placement of 2nd for all of them, 2nd tiebreaker is total points - friendly judging panels & later events for both LajLag & CarPon put them into the GPF ahead of FearGib & GuigFab.

GPF - ChoBat & GilPoir in some order, FBCiz, 4th & 5th - LajLag & CarPon in some order, 6th - Shibs

Euros winds up being a massacre with FBCiz coasting to the title that the Brits expected FearGib to win, FearGib hanging onto silver because it's in Sheffield, and SmaDie winning bronze because it's in Sheffield.

4CCs is won by GreenP with ZingKol taking silver and bronze is either a bone thrown to the top Canadian team there or possibly goes to the #3 US team if any of them can differentiate themselves from the rest of the mid-tier US teams somewhat during the fall.

Italians are absolutely devastated going into Milano-Cortina where GuigFab wind up with the consolation prize of a TE bronze medal for their efforts, while the podium winds up being ChoBat, GilPoir & FBCiz, which sets FBCiz up quite nicely for 2030. Also, CarPon get a TEwhen the US splits ice dance because they want ChoBat fresh for the individual event & the Shibs are shut out of any medals in Milano-Cortina.

Good Lord she works fast. I can’t even get today’s freaking Wordle? Has anyone gotten today’s Wordle? Meanwhile, Karen is working on the 2027 Grand Prix.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

I’ll be waiting for your woman medal breakdown analysis

 

[Debbie S]

Good Lord she works fast. I can’t even get today’s freaking Wordle? Has anyone gotten today’s Wordle?

Yes. It's more well-known than yesterday's word, but not that commonly used. I think they're running out of 5-letter words.

 

[thvu]

Our thoughts on the Men and Women GP assignments. Pairs and Dance coming soon!

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[Karen-W]

I’ll be waiting for your woman medal breakdown analysis

Oh, lordy... it is way harder to handicap any other discipline but dance. Dance is easy because Worlds & WTT established a clear hierarchy.

 

[her grace]

Based on WTT, Georgia’s making a play for a team medal.

 

[her grace]

I think it’s harder to predict dance with the new “powerish” French pairing and the returning Shib sibs who are frankly unknowns at this point.

They could be great, not ready, or somewhere in between. Or a combo of these in the different events. I make no predictions until they get out there in competition.

 

[barbk]

Good Lord she works fast. I can’t even get today’s freaking Wordle? Has anyone gotten today’s Wordle? Meanwhile, Karen is working on the 2027 Grand Prix.

Today's Wordle is HARD.

 

[Karen-W]

I think it’s harder to predict dance with the new “powerish” French pairing and the returning Shib sibs who are frankly unknowns at this point.

They could be great, not ready, or somewhere in between. Or a combo of these in the different events. I make no predictions until they get out there in competition.

I think it's cute that you think their results will bear any relation to how they actually skate.