But that's kind of a trap, to me. The USFSA could still send the skaters that scored well on the Grand Prix or at last year's Worlds if they want to. They don't have to prop up their scores at U.S. Nationals if in fact the higher scores are not earned at the event that is being scored.
As for other countries, Japan did not push Rika Kihira ahead of Kaori Sakamoto at Japanese Nationals. Russia did not save Alina Zagitova with undeserved high scores at Russian Nationals.
Wouldn't that still be Alexa and Chris? Not that they scored great at Worlds but they scored higher than the other US pair. And I believe they have scored higher than any other US pair this year?