Irina also had a weakening illness. I can't imagine a top competitor not going to the GP Finals. The feather in that cap seems now to lend itself more to "I am the greatest" syndrome. and I'll prove it at Nats and 4CC/Euros and eventually Olys.Also, we will see how the GP pans out later on this fall. I wouldn't be surprised to see some skaters skip their second event because they don't want to be too exhausted before the Olympics. Making the Final will be a two-edged sword for some of the skaters, particularly the older ones or those prone to injury.
I remember Irina Slutskaya being totally exhausted after the 2005-2006 GP final, and often have wondered if she had skipped her second event and not gone to the final, if she would have won in Torino.
The U.S. could really have a very nice little world championships depending on how many top skaters decide to compete. The idea of "forcing" the big names to be there is nonsense. I don't see Yu-na or Mao doing it...esp Yu-na even if she does not get olympic gold.
I think where you will see al ot of drop off this year is for the four continents. With the event taking place in Asia two weekas before the start of the games, I doubt any of the Americans or Canadians who are named to the Olympic team will go this year.
Even though it is in Korea I doubt that Yuna or Mao will particpate this year. It does give a bunch of good skaters who won't be named to their Olympic teams a shot at participating in - or even winning the 4CC title this year though.
I would love to see USA and Japans and Canada 2nd tier skaters duke it out for a medals at 4CC. Give them a chance to shine.
(Hint: one was from Uzbekistan)
Trivia question. Of the 11 Four Continents, Japanese ladies won 5 times, USA 4 times. Who were the other two gold medalists? (Hint: one was from Uzbekistan)