Do you think that only 2 years (for 2018) is an enough time for a new pair, say Yu/Zhang, to overcome the judges?
Indeed, in last year of 2015, Yu/Jin had taken over the 2nd place of Peng/Zhang among the Chinese team according to the PCS given by judges.
Even if Yu/Zhang will get success in 2018, can this new pair still be counted on in 2022? Considering the age of Zhang at that time.
There is a Chinese saying: kill the hen to take away the egg immediately.
I don't disagree with you... It was a gamble either way... to get a strong #2 Chinese team :
either Y/J needed to make a big statement in 2017... and place in top 6... quite unlikely just considering the Germans, the 3 Russians, the Canadians (even canada's 4th team placed ahead of the Chinese at WC) and Sui/Han.
or Zhang gets a stronger partner on SBS jumps ....
Chinese federation decided that they would go with the second option. Maybe they think it is a better gamble. They are thinking like it is a business... we are seeing more humanly....
With gambling, there is risk and reward... sometimes, the biggest risk brings the biggest reward... sometimes, one loses it all...
We will see what will happen but i think that as I said before, we all have to heal and support the athletes, all 4 of them in their next seasons.