I doubt Canada would want P/C at their GP. They will want to clear the way for G/P to take gold.
P/C train in Canada though. Seems like that's the most likely one for them, especially if there are travel restrictions.
P/C put a lot at risk. They haven’t competed almost a year and a half, so not only do they have catching up to do, (at least in the judges’ eyes) but they’ve also lost WS rank and point and must rely on that and the power of the French fed to get GP’s, and by skipping World’s this year they dropped France’s Olympic spots from 1-3, so no one else will most likely be sent. It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out. I believe they got covid in July 2020 and it hit them pretty bad, so my guess is that they are tying to avoid an Aliona Kostornaia type situation where they compete when they’re not ready and maybe not loose titles, but loose reputation, which can be arguably harder to earn.
Canada would not invite them unless they were forced to, which, since they're unseeded, is unlikely.
It doesn’t matter where they train, the federations are the ones who select the skaters and Canada will not want them. Just as USA and Russia will not want them. So that leaves France(obvious) China, or Japan. My bet is on Japan as they don’t have a horse in the race and like to invite big names.
That's not necessarily how it works. It's a big ruckus because some skaters are guaranteed GP's, others aren't. RusFed will push for their priorities, as will every other fed, but no one gets to rule all the decisions. Now RusFed probably has the most power, at least in the ladies event because of the Worlds podium sweep, but they also have very few choices to strategically plan because of the number of girls they have.
Sweeping the podium simplify things for the top 3 Russians. At least they won't face one another until GPF. It also allows for the Russian girls who didn't go to worlds to shoot for silver (at least) and pass the skaters seeded 4 to 6. The Russian federation plays this game very well, considering : they have shown that in the JGP (and they have the skaters to do so)
Again, that’s what I meant by wheeling and dealing. With the lack of clarity with the selection process this season due to only 1 major and a couple minor competitions very few are guaranteed spots. That being said, Russia will make sure their picks get assignments, they just may not be as favourable as in the past.
Do you think Gracie will get more than 1 GP assignment?
If she gets any assignment at all it will be the Skate America host spot. She isn‘t guaranteed a single assignment because she doesn’t have a high enough world ranking. USFS will probably decide if they are going to send her to SA based on what they see at Champs Camp in August, since they can decide host spots later.
I’m glad you are excited and hope you have fun. I definitely hope they do not decide to make Las Vegas the default. It is an 8 day drive for me (4 there and 4 back) and that would almost certainly put me in a wheelchair for awhile. There are people in the middle of the country and the East Coast who would like to see International skaters also
I think Gracie can get ONE GP assignment IF she does well at summer comps/Champs Camp. I know several years ago Megan Wessenberg got the host pick the year after she had placed ...10th? 12th? st Nationals on the strength of her performances at summer comps. USFS knows Gracie is a star (who else draws SRO crowds at Regionals?) and I think that given an excuse they will send her. Unfortunately summer comps are not “on brand” for Gracie as she would say. So we shall see. I’m not driving 4 days there and 4 days back for anyone else, I can tell you that.
The thing about Gracie is that she sells tickets. If she is skating on the west coast, I am there.
Sadly, I agree. At this point, I'd rather see a strong Junior get the chance to prove themselves. I still think Gracie would be a great draw for Shows.
