- Joined
- May 15, 2009
I still think the magnitude of the win, not just the placement, will have a bearing on who gets picked for the team.
There is a big difference between ....
1) Mirai ......... 184.23
2) Alissa ....... 183.94
2) Ashley .......183.46
4) Rachael ....182.55
........ and ................
1) Mirai ......... 187.84
2) Alissa ....... 181.49
2) Ashley .......164.76
4) Rachael ....162.38
I would guess that in the 1st case, Ashley and Rachael will be the Olympic team. In the 2nd, it would likely be Mirai and Alissa.
Thanks for the example.
I will believe it when I see it though.
For me if you would replace Ashley and Rachael with a "returning" Michelle and Sasha - then I could see Alissa getting bumped in your first set of scores.
I still wouldn't like it but could see a "body of work/results" taking a precedent.
Under no circumstances would I feel good about the National champion getting bumped even for a Michelle or Sasha comeback that just fell short.
The scenario you describe is how the French, Russians and Japanese and probably many other Federations do it. It feels very un-American to me.
It is also why our Natls have such a grand tradition. Because up until this year they always mattered and determined the Natl team.
Many skaters have said the pressure at Natls is greater at times than Worlds.
Why lose this tradition and why take away such a great pressured packed competition?
And what better way to prepare a skater for an event like the Olympics than making them medal at Nationals?
It really doesn't make any sense to me and I feel it definitely weakens our skater's chances by sending a clear and unmistakeable signal that it is OK if you can't handle the pressure at Natls. "We like you better anyway."