I knowbshe just got back on the ice last week, so I'm thinking Samodelkina was allowed to decline the CoC invitation because of her injury. She may still be on the Alternates list should a later GP like SkAm or Finlandia have a spot open up.
So does that mean it’s possible to decline the invite (citing health reasons) and still remain on the list?
Yes, the GP General Announcement says that hosts can deviate from strictly following the Alternates List if there is an injury or a conflict with a national training camp, etc. So, in Samodelkina's situation, she had a minor injury that kept her off the ice a few weeks and with only getting back on the ice last week, the ISU probably approved for the CFSA to invite Pezzetta instead while leaving Samo on the Alternates List. We may not know, though, until there is another withdrawal for one of the later GPs.
I see. I didnt know that... I thought if you don't accept the assignment, you forfeit the spot and lose you place in the queue. Thanks!
That is true for the initial invitees, not the altenates.
Actually, the GP General Announcement doesn’t state that Alternates lose their spot on the list if they decline an invitation for an acceptable reason. I read it over earlier this week and it specifically mentions medical, inability to get a visa, or national team events as acceptable reasons to decline an invitation and doesn’t say anything about losing their spot. I'm operating under the assumption Samodelkina is still 1st Alternate until we see an updated Alternates List or she is passed over for a SkAm or Finlandia assignment.
