1. USFSA is not In control over who gets placed on the GP aside from just three spots. Gracie got her assignment based on ISU rules.
2. Meghan could not get more than just me spot because her SB last year was too low to earn a spot. She got the TBA spot.
3. I like the idea of test skates but it would not have changed Gracie or Meghan's slots.
Yup, the individual countries don't decide which of their skaters appear on the GP, aside from any host picks. People are continuously confused by this year after year. I wish they would write this in the rules clearly somewhere so more people know.
And having test skates wouldn't have made a difference in Gracie's case. She very obviously needs a lot of time and patience. Forcing her to do a test skate in August wouldn't have gotten her ready any faster. It's not as if she wasn't taking this GP seriously, it simply wasn't possible for her to be ready this fast.