2024-25 ISU Grand Prix Assignments & projected alternates

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

No idea - they've been posting content on their IG this week so this must have been a very late situation yesterday.

Pairs - VLDigs got NHK. ChtWoz got one of the open CoC spots and McBPark got the other one.

What did I just tell you not even 24 hours ago about easing us into this.

Perhaps one text with one announcement every few hours or so.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

MarBed still need 5 more WDs to get a GP slot -

How injured are they at the moment?

Aren’t Morosov and Chen skating juniors?

 

[Rukia]

omg this is the worst new to wake up to

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Only noticed dance at first, but I see @Karen-W 's evil incantation was working OT last night to get @AngieNikodinovLove (ANL) 's favorite American pair closer to a GP slot.

, I wonder injured they are, though at the moment

 

[Amy L]

Aren’t Morosov and Chen skating juniors?

You might be thinking of Chen's ex partner Katarina Wolfkostin. Morozov and Chen are both too old for Juniors.

 

[AYS]

What a major bummer. Whatever it is, Isabella is so far silent about it on IG, which in itself is quite unusual. If it's an injury, I really, really hope it's nothing long-term or very serious.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

You might be thinking of Chen's ex partner Katarina Wolfkostin. Morozov and Chen are both too old for Juniors.

No, I’m not, they performed very well just now in the junior Grand Prix and made to the Grand Prix final.

But for some reason, I thought Jeffrey and Annabelle were skating juniors

 

[Sylvia]

No, I’m not, they performed very well just now in the junior Grand Prix and made to the Grand Prix final.

Katarina Wolfkostin and Dimitry Tsarevski qualified for the JGP Final.

But for some reason, I thought Jeffrey and Annabelle were skating juniors

Jeffrey skated in Junior last season with his previous partner. He and Annabelle Morozov won the silver at CS Lombardia Trophy.

 

[Sylvia]

Very strange with F/D sudden WD, they must have gotten ill/got injured in the last 24 hours...

Yes, because Flores/Desyatov were in USFS' press release yesterday: https://www.usfigureskating.org/new...grand-prix-series-home-ice-2024-skate-america
"While this is the first Grand Prix for Isabella Flores and Ivan Desyatov, they also have podiumed internationally, securing bronze at 2023 Golden Spin of Zagreb and silver at 2024 Egna Dance Trophy."

 

[her grace]

Ugh, “podiumed” is not a word.

for F/D.

 

[Sylvia]

Ugh, “podiumed” is not a word.

Oxford English Dictionary

The OED is the definitive record of the English language, featuring 600,000 words, 3 million quotations, and over 1,000 years of English.

www.oed.com

 

[skateblessing]

Yes, because Flores/Desyatov were in USFS' press release yesterday: https://www.usfigureskating.org/new...grand-prix-series-home-ice-2024-skate-america
"While this is the first Grand Prix for Isabella Flores and Ivan Desyatov, they also have podiumed internationally, securing bronze at 2023 Golden Spin of Zagreb and silver at 2024 Egna Dance Trophy."

Someone on X said that they will give an announcement about their WD in a couple of days, according to Holly (don´t have a clue who that is). Seems like they need time before they are ready to update. For me this sounds like something more than a cold/flu. Since USFS had them in the press release it´s likely that something other happend. Serious injury/or unexpected family matter. Ugh, Isabella had the worst of luck, I feel so sad for them

 

[TanithandBenFan]

Someone on X said that they will give an announcement about their WD in a couple of days, according to Holly (don´t have a clue who that is). Seems like they need time before they are ready to update. For me this sounds like something more than a cold/flu. Since USFS had them in the press release it´s likely that something other happend. Serious injury/or unexpected family matter. Ugh, Isabella had the worst of luck, I feel so sad for them

Holly is Isabella's mom. This doesn't sound good.

 

[jkl]

Someone on X said that they will give an announcement about their WD in a couple of days, according to Holly (don´t have a clue who that is). Seems like they need time before they are ready to update. For me this sounds like something more than a cold/flu. Since USFS had them in the press release it´s likely that something other happend. Serious injury/or unexpected family matter. Ugh, Isabella had the worst of luck, I feel so sad for them

I believe Holly is Isabella’s mother.

 

[Sylvia]

Re-posting in this relevant thread:

There are no distinctions in the rules for host vs. non-host skaters/teams for getting replacement events when they withdraw from their assignments . There are two explicit statements about Non-Seeded Skater/Couples, in 2.2 k and l:

"k) Non-Seeded Skaters/Couples will not be invited to another event in replacement if they choose not to skate in an assigned event.​

l) Non-Seeded Skaters/Couples will not be invited to another event in replacement if, by medical reason,they withdraw from an assigned event."​

In section 3.4 (Obligation of Seeded Skaters), I think it is implicitly stated that there won't be replacements for seeded skaters/couples (emphasis mine):

"Seeded Skaters/Couples who agreed to participate in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series andSkaters/Couples who qualify for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final must skate in their assigned events and in the Final." There are provisions for withdrawals.​

Of course, that never means they'll follow their own rules, which include needing to sign off on all replacements, but that's what it says.

It doesn't address skipping a potential assignment from the alternates list, ie, if they can choose to skip one and stay on the list, because there's a financial obligation for the skater/team's fed to pay the difference between the cost and host "travel contribution" for more than 14 days before the event and to pay for transportation in full within 14 days of the event. The hosts can get sign-off for not replacing skaters within 7 days because of travel, visa, or other hardships, but they aren't on the hook financially. For the invited skater/team's fed, they might, for example, want to not send their skaters to an expensive destination if they can skip it and be assigned to one that is cheaper. It isn't clear what happens if an invite is declined, and if that depends on the reason given, if any.

The incentive is still to throw host spots back into the pool within the 14-day mark, especially now that they have to pick from the top of the list instead of the bottom to avoid competition for its own skaters -- they no longer have to subsidize other skaters to beat their own -- but it takes away the financial obligation to subsidize travel expenses within 14 days, and they may not care about the competition if their skaters are likely to be stronger or at the bottom of the pack anyway.

What's never been totally clear to me is how this applies to skaters/teams who started with only one spot. If they already had two, then WD from one, it's clear that picking up another would be a replacement for the one they missed. But if they only had one, then WD from that, would picking up a spot at a later event be a replacement for the missed one, or just picking up a 2nd spot?

Historically from behavior, it would appear to be considered a replacement, ie, that once a skater/team withdraws, they are out of consideration for another GP for the rest of the season. I don't even remember seeing a skater/team who has withdrawn from a GP being assigned later as a replacement to their own host event. For example, skater/team from GP host 5 is assigned initially to GP's 1 and 6. They withdraw from GP 1, but then are assigned to 5, whether for an open spot or a host fed internal swap.

However, almost all of that history occurred before this season, where hosts could cherry pick from the bottom of the list -- never published publicly -- and which made for less competition for their own skaters.

I think the next couple of years will prove out how that works. So far, it looks like the Alternate List updates lag behind the grids, and it's harder to establish cause and effect.

 

[Sylvia]

Isabella Flores’ post one hour ago (no reason given at this time for their SkAm withdrawal): https://www.instagram.com/p/DBNQSpFxAtA/

Hi everyone, as some of you already know, Vanya and I withdrew from our upcoming competition Skate America. We are really disappointed we won’t be there, but we’re incredibly grateful for all of the encouragement and support we’ve received from all of you

 

[Hedwig]

ugh, I was so looking forward to them :-( Hope it is nothing serious.

 

[happycamper2554]

Loena Hendrickx posted on her instagram stores that she has withdrawn from her 1st GP in France. Her stated reason is she needs more preparation. Sarah Everhardt should be her replacement.

 

[her grace]

Loena Hendrickx posted on her instagram stores that she has withdrawn from her 1st GP in France. Her stated reason is she needs more preparation. Sarah Everhardt should be her replacement.

Hendrickx, as a seeded skater, can't just withdraw because she needs more time. She has to have an injury, illness, or special circumstance like family bereavement per the ISU Grand Prix Announcement

3.4 Obligation of Seeded Skaters

Seeded Skaters/Couples who agreed to participate in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series and Skaters/Couples who qualify for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final must skate in their assigned events and in the Final. Withdrawals are permitted only for illness or injury duly confirmed by a timely Medical Certificate as outlined below and subject to review by an ISU appointed Medical Doctor and/or for other justified serious reasons, such as e.g. bereavement in the close family.

In the case a Skater/Couple is withdrawn for injury or illness, a Medical Certificate is required to be submitted to the ISU as per Rule 140, paragraph 5.

Though I suppose most skaters have lingering injuries that they could get a doctor to attest to.

 

[kwanfan1818]

She may need more preparation because she's recovering from injury or illness. I get how they've been trying to force top skaters into the GP, but it does skating little good to have skaters compete there before they've been able to train enough to have enough stamina. GP's aren't summer or early September comps.

 

[skateblessing]

I mean they can´t literally force skaters to participate if they really are not feeling up to it. What are they going to do, give them a fine? Mental issue is also a medical issue. I think that should be enough reason to WD if their mental state is not good enough, figure skating is a very tough sport.

 

[Karen-W]

Hendrickx, as a seeded skater, can't just withdraw because she needs more time. She has to have an injury, illness, or special circumstance like family bereavement per the ISU Grand Prix Announcement
Though I suppose most skaters have lingering injuries that they could get a doctor to attest to.

She may need more preparation because she's recovering from injury or illness. I get how they've been trying to force top skaters into the GP, but it does skating little good to have skaters compete there before they've been able to train enough to have enough stamina. GP's aren't summer or early September comps.

Yeah, I think it should be pretty evident from her Shanghai Trophy skates, especially the FS, that she is still recovering from the injury she had over the summer that slowed her training & prep time. Or she may have reaggravated the injury.

As it is, good for Sarah for getting a 2nd GP!

I'm not wishing ill on anyone else, but I'll only be fully satisfied once Lara Naki Gutmann gets a 2nd GP, lol.

 

[skateblessing]

Yeah, I think it should be pretty evident from her Shanghai Trophy skates, especially the FS, that she is still recovering from the injury she had over the summer that slowed her training & prep time. Or she may have reaggravated the injury.

As it is, good for Sarah for getting a 2nd GP!

I'm not wishing ill on anyone else, but I'll only be fully satisfied once Lara Naki Gutmann gets a 2nd GP, lol.

I think Lara Naki probably will... the way it sounds i´m not sure Loena would be any more ready two weeks after GP France..but it make sense to wait a little to see if she can make it.

 

[Kateri]

Lucrezia Beccari / Matteo Guarise have withdrawn from Skate Canada. (One couple closer, @farahfan!)

 

[Wyliefan]

Aw man!

 

[Karen-W]

Lucrezia Beccari / Matteo Guarise have withdrawn from Skate Canada. (One couple closer, @farahfan!)

Such a shame for them.

ChtWoz should get the invitation if Skate Canada decides to fill the spot - it's 7 days prior to the event so they aren't required to fill it, though they're usually very good about doing that, so I expect they will do so.

Also, note that BecGuar's 2nd event is NHK, so if they WD from that then that spot should go to GamKor since Nagaoka/Moriguchi are already assigned there.

ETA - the women's grid has also been updated to reflect Loena's WD - should see that updated soon to show Sarah's 2nd assignment.

 

[Firedancer]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1847281640608854389

 

[farahfan]

Loena Hendrickx posted on her instagram stores that she has withdrawn from her 1st GP in France. Her stated reason is she needs more preparation. Sarah Everhardt should be her replacement.

Lucrezia Beccari / Matteo Guarise have withdrawn from Skate Canada. (One couple closer, @farahfan!)

I swear I have not been participating in any evil incantations… just some little innocent prayers to my guardian angel…

 

[farahfan]

Such a shame for them.

ChtWoz should get the invitation if Skate Canada decides to fill the spot - it's 7 days prior to the event so they aren't required to fill it, though they're usually very good about doing that, so I expect they will do so.

Also, note that BecGuar's 2nd event is NHK, so if they WD from that then that spot should go to GamKor since Nagaoka/Moriguchi are already assigned there.

ETA - the women's grid has also been updated to reflect Loena's WD - should see that updated soon to show Sarah's 2nd assignment.

NHK coincides with Philippine National Championships at which Gamez/Korozin are supposed to perform (they are the only pair couple, so they always win)...I wonder if they would take a Grand Prix assignment instead. I have a feeling they would.

 

[Karen-W]

NHK coincides with Philippine National Championships at which Gamez/Korozin are supposed to perform (they are the only pair couple, so they always win)...I wonder if they would take a Grand Prix assignment instead. I have a feeling they would.

I'm sure that they and their fed would have them accept the GP assignment, lol.