2024-25 ISU Grand Prix Assignments & projected alternates

[kwanfan1818]

The 2024-25 Announcement says "A three (3) day response benchmark is granted for the respective answer of a skater/couple until the host country may pick another skater/couple for participation. "

The alternates are expected compete if they are asked, and they can, within seven days of the event. (Another "benchmark.")

 

[farahfan]

Agreed! The only thing that I would would tweak is the assigned/invited skaters being required to confirm their participation no later than 8 days before the start of the event in order to give the alternates time to get visa requests processed if necessary.

Maybe the feds or ISU just needed to be more on top of B/G to see if they were really ready or not. Because if you know that the alternates have a weak passport and would need time for visa processing then there’s got to be a realistic cut-off date for withdrawal. Of course, I’m speculating because I don’t know what went on behind closed doors. But I hope they take a look at this situation and ask what else they can do so that skaters with weak passports don’t have a perennial disadvantage.

 

[kwanfan1818]

Now that the ISU has removed its rule that skaters need to travel on the passport of their Fed (or one with their enabling visa status), and a skater can use any of their passports, what do you suggest they do to balance this out, especially since every host has different visa rules? Even if they were interested in funding a visa application to every upcoming event for everyone on the Alternate List, they don't have grounds for obtaining them in many cases, because there is no invitation while still in alternate status.

In my opinion, the Alternate List isn't and shouldn't be ranked by ability to get a visa, and skaters/teams shouldn't have to base their decisions on when to withdraw on the circumstances of the skater/team who is next on the Alternate List.

 

[farahfan]

Now that the ISU has removed its rule that skaters need to travel on the passport of their Fed (or one with their enabling visa status), and a skater can use any of their passports, what do you suggest they do to balance this out, especially since every host has different visa rules? Even if they were interested in funding a visa application to every upcoming event for everyone on the Alternate List, they don't have grounds for obtaining them in many cases, because there is no invitation while still in alternate status.

In my opinion, the Alternate List isn't and shouldn't be ranked by ability to get a visa, and skaters/teams shouldn't have to base their decisions on when to withdraw on the circumstances of the skater/team who is next on the Alternate List.

Yeah I agree with you, I wouldn’t want to say “have to.” And I am definitely not suggesting that skaters be ranked by their passports instead of their scores. The rules have their rationale, and the rationale works for the majority of the situations. I guess I’m hoping that information that can help teams and feds make timely decisions is circulating. If you were contemplating withdrawal and knew that the next team needs five business days to get a visa, it just might affect your decision. Imagine if B/G and G/K had belonged to the same fed. Wouldn’t the requirements of the alternate have been a legit factor in the decision-making process? I don’t think we would have seen G/K get thrilled for their very first invitation, seeing their names on that GP chart, only to be heartbroken 24 hours later.
Again, I’m speculating here. Maybe all this information was already flowing in this case but was not considered relevant for a reason we don’t know. Maybe B/G were healing okay but got a last minute injury. Maybe it’s not kosher for one fed to communicate their alternate’s needs to another fed. Who knows. So I’ll just leave it there and hope G/K get regular GP assignments next year and escape this visa purgatory of last-minute alternates.

 

[Karen-W]

hope G/K get regular GP assignments next year and escape this visa purgatory of last-minute alternates.

Best way to achieve that is to raise their SB by about 15-20 points.

Right now, they're sitting at #24 but there are several teams debuting this month and scheduled to compete at Warsaw Cup (and possibly Golden Spin) who have the potential to bump them further down the SB list. This season NO teams outside the SB Top 24 or WS Top 24 received any GP assignments - and even two teams inside the WS Top 24 (barely - Caldara/Maglio and the Mokhovs) were not given one. There are a fair number of good teams and others that are improving and it's insanely hard to get a GP assignment given that there are only 48 spots available total.

 

[Firedancer]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1853370491928490235

 

[YukiNieve]

What happened to Stephen?
Why Andrew, not Lucas who is the 1st alternate, is replacing?
Oh I see, Lucas chose to do CS (Warsaw Trophy), I guess?

 

[Stephanie]

My first guess is that Lucas is still recovering the injury/fall that caused him to water down his LP content at Skate America. Whatever the reason, I'm really for him. Hopefully he'll get another chance to prove himself soon.

 

[zebobes]

Wow, this will be a huge opportunity for Andrew to prove his consistency. He did a great job at 4CC last year with the tight turnaround after nationals, and now that his ranking is higher, he won’t be the first to skate this week.

The fact that he kept talking about the huge number of run through a he has under his belt at the moment makes me think that he might be able to capitalize… but I’m scared to get my hopes up.

 

[Karen-W]

My first guess is that Lucas is still recovering the injury/fall that caused him to water down his LP content at Skate America. Whatever the reason, I'm really for him. Hopefully he'll get another chance to prove himself soon.

I'm really bummed for Lucas too. If he declined NHK, then that likely means he has lost his spot on the GP Alternates List. The updated Alternates list hasn't been posted on the GP page yet, so we'll have to wait and see. If I'm correct, though, that moves Jimmy Ma into 1st position on the Alternates list.

But, this is a good opportunity for Andrew! Hopefully he is flying directly from Paris to Tokyo instead of back to the US. And, hopefully, Brandon is able to accompany him to this unexpected 2nd GP.

Apparently Boyang Jin withdrew from the GPdD Gala yesterday, as did ReedAmbru. It doesn't appear that ReedAmbru have WD from NHK. Not sure if there is another Chinese man the CFSA would assign to CoC if Jin is out.

 

[PRlady]

I'm really bummed for Lucas too. If he declined NHK, then that likely means he has lost his spot on the GP Alternates List. The updated Alternates list hasn't been posted on the GP page yet, so we'll have to wait and see. If I'm correct, though, that moves Jimmy Ma into 1st position on the Alternates list.

But, this is a good opportunity for Andrew! Hopefully he is flying directly from Paris to Tokyo instead of back to the US. And, hopefully, Brandon is able to accompany him to this unexpected 2nd GP.

Apparently Boyang Jin withdrew from the GPdD Gala yesterday, as did ReedAmbru. It doesn't appear that ReedAmbru have WD from NHK. Not sure if there is another Chinese man the CFSA would assign to CoC if Jin is out.

Re/Am intrigues me. Injury or high pissoff, losing to a young and still mostly unknown US team?

 

[tony]

Re/Am intrigues me. Injury or high pissoff, losing to a young and still mostly unknown US team?

Quick turnaround to Japan could be it.

 

[victorskid]

I'm really bummed for Lucas too. If he declined NHK, then that likely means he has lost his spot on the GP Alternates List. The updated Alternates list hasn't been posted on the GP page yet, so we'll have to wait and see. If I'm correct, though, that moves Jimmy Ma into 1st position on the Alternates list.

But, this is a good opportunity for Andrew! Hopefully he is flying directly from Paris to Tokyo instead of back to the US. And, hopefully, Brandon is able to accompany him to this unexpected 2nd GP.

Apparently Boyang Jin withdrew from the GPdD Gala yesterday, as did ReedAmbru. It doesn't appear that ReedAmbru have WD from NHK. Not sure if there is another Chinese man the CFSA would assign to CoC if Jin is out.

I believe I watched Reed/Amb skate in the Gala (in the 1st half rather than the 2nd), the "running order" was revised, probably due to Boyang's withdrawal.

 

[Karen-W]

I believe I watched Reed/Amb skate in the Gala (in the 1st half rather than the 2nd), the "running order" was revised, probably due to Boyang's withdrawal.

Ahhhh, okay. I only saw the 2nd half revised running order and that they were removed - but being moved to the 1st half due to Boyang's withdrawal would explain it.

 

[Karen-W]

Re/Am intrigues me. Injury or high pissoff, losing to a young and still mostly unknown US team?

Apparently they did skate in the 1st half. They are coming back from an injury, but their score this week has me convinced they're losing to all three US teams this weekend at NHK, lol.

 

[Sylvia]

Standings halfway through the series (last updated Nov. 2): https://isu-skating.com/figure-skating/events/isu-grand-prix/

Men: https://results.isu.org/events/gp2024/gpsmen.htm (Torgashev not yet added to NHK)
Women: https://results.isu.org/events/gp2024/gpswomen.htm
Pairs: https://results.isu.org/events/gp2024/gpspairs.htm
Ice Dance: https://results.isu.org/events/gp2024/gpsdance.htm

 

[kwanfan1818]

I'm really bummed for Lucas too. If he declined NHK, then that likely means he has lost his spot on the GP Alternates List.

I hope that the guideline that you have to accept if possible if asked more than seven days prior to the event, means he’ll remain on the list, if he wants to be.

 

[Theatregirl1122]

Lucas is also still in high school. It's possible the short notice around was not reasonable for him with school.

 

[barbk]

Agreed! The only thing that I would would tweak is the assigned/invited skaters being required to confirm their participation no later than 8 days before the start of the event in order to give the alternates time to get visa requests processed if necessary.

The ISU paying for visas for all GP locations for the first four (in each discipline) still on the alternates list by mid-October would avoid a lot of problems.

 

[Karen-W]

The ISU paying for visas for all GP locations for the first four (in each discipline) still on the alternates list by mid-October would avoid a lot of problems.

That's an interesting idea. But if the skaters aren't assigned, would some countries approve visa applications?

 

[Rukia]

i do not have the mental fortitude for all these withdrawals

 

[Sylvia]

Loena (expected) and Isabeau have WD from Finlandia Trophy: https://isu-d8g8b4b7ece7aphs.a03.az...type/eventtypedocuments/GP_Women_24-11-04.pdf

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Loena (expected) and Isabeau have WD from Finlandia Trophy: https://isu-d8g8b4b7ece7aphs.a03.az...type/eventtypedocuments/GP_Women_24-11-04.pdf

Whatttttt

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

i do not have the mental fortitude for all these withdrawals

Well, brace yourself… look above

 

[Rukia]

Well, brace yourself… look above

lol that's what I was talking about, I just didn't want to be the one to break the news

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

I predict the Grand Prix final for women’s will be Amber and five Japanese women

 

[Alilou]

Does anyone know anything about why Stephen WD from NHK?

 

[farahfan]

The ISU paying for visas for all GP locations for the first four (in each discipline) still on the alternates list by mid-October would avoid a lot of problems.

As someone with a strong passport I've never had to get a tourist visa, but I know many countries require you to have a plane ticket as proof that you are leaving the country.

 

[her grace]

Loena (expected) and Isabeau have WD from Finlandia Trophy: https://isu-d8g8b4b7ece7aphs.a03.az...type/eventtypedocuments/GP_Women_24-11-04.pdf

Gutmann and Yun to replace (as based on last ISU GP alternates list).

 

[Winnipeg]

Hopefully Isabeau is not injured.