OK, so we've been railing on about how Russia needs five spots in pairs and Japan needs like five spots in ladies. So I've been thinking about a system where they could achieve that.
1.) 42 entries total. 24 move on to free skate.
2.) Top 5 in last year's Worlds directly qualify. These spots are non-transferable.
3.) So do medalists from the GPF.
3.) Nations can earn up to 3 additional spots based on results from previous Worlds. Same as current ISU system
3 skaters = Top 2 skaters placements equaling less than 13 keep 3. More than 13 but less than 28 get 2. If they fall below 28 they get only one berth.
2 skaters = Total placements equaling less than 13 get 3. More than 13 but less than 28 keep 2. If both skaters placements equal more than 28, one berth.
1 skater = Top 2 placement gets 3 skaters; Top 10 placement gets 2; Below top 10 only one skater goes.
However in order to have at least one placement, you have to have had one skater make the free skate in the previous year.
4.) Remaining nations who don't qualify in any of the ways above will have to earn the spots in a qualifying round to be held at Worlds. Or perhaps earn it at a Senior "B" like they do at the Olympics.
5.) If a county or skater relinquishes their spot, then it counts for the qualifying round/competition.
** NOTE-- The federations can continue to choose who exactly gets these spots.
So if we did the ladies here's what we got.
1 JPN Mao Asada
2 KOR Kim Yu-Na
3 FIN Laura Lepistö
4 JPN Miki Ando
5 CAN Cynthia Phaneuf
+GPF Medalists
6. USA Alissa Czisny
7. ITA Carolina Kostner
8. JPN Kankano Murakami
+ Additional Spots (for previous Worlds placement)
9. JPN
10. JPN
11 JPN
12 CAN
13 CAN
14 KOR
15 KOR
16 FIN
17 FIN
18 ITA
19 ITA
20 RUS
21 RUS
22 SWE
23 SWE
24 USA
25 USA
26. GBR
27. GER
28. HUN
29. CHN
30. AUS
31. GEO
32. ESP
33. EST
34. UZE
35. NED
With 42 spots, there are 7 left in the qualifying round. Of course there are more if spots are given up.
So under this system..Japan could send up to six skaters but the U.S. only gain an additional spot because neither Flatt nor Nagasu were in the top 5.
I don't know, just playing for fun. But by doing it this way, you ensure that the BEST skaters get to compete. Would love to hear your thoughts.
ETA: This system would also never fly because then certain ISU member organizations would probably always be left out....but hey we can dream.
ETA 2: Tweaked it a bit based on the feedback received so far. Also erase all names except that of the Top 5 and medalists at GPF because yes we don't know who will get them if this was the system.
1.) 42 entries total. 24 move on to free skate.
2.) Top 5 in last year's Worlds directly qualify. These spots are non-transferable.
3.) So do medalists from the GPF.
3.) Nations can earn up to 3 additional spots based on results from previous Worlds. Same as current ISU system
3 skaters = Top 2 skaters placements equaling less than 13 keep 3. More than 13 but less than 28 get 2. If they fall below 28 they get only one berth.
2 skaters = Total placements equaling less than 13 get 3. More than 13 but less than 28 keep 2. If both skaters placements equal more than 28, one berth.
1 skater = Top 2 placement gets 3 skaters; Top 10 placement gets 2; Below top 10 only one skater goes.
However in order to have at least one placement, you have to have had one skater make the free skate in the previous year.
4.) Remaining nations who don't qualify in any of the ways above will have to earn the spots in a qualifying round to be held at Worlds. Or perhaps earn it at a Senior "B" like they do at the Olympics.
5.) If a county or skater relinquishes their spot, then it counts for the qualifying round/competition.
** NOTE-- The federations can continue to choose who exactly gets these spots.
So if we did the ladies here's what we got.
1 JPN Mao Asada
2 KOR Kim Yu-Na
3 FIN Laura Lepistö
4 JPN Miki Ando
5 CAN Cynthia Phaneuf
+GPF Medalists
6. USA Alissa Czisny
7. ITA Carolina Kostner
8. JPN Kankano Murakami
+ Additional Spots (for previous Worlds placement)
9. JPN
10. JPN
11 JPN
12 CAN
13 CAN
14 KOR
15 KOR
16 FIN
17 FIN
18 ITA
19 ITA
20 RUS
21 RUS
22 SWE
23 SWE
24 USA
25 USA
26. GBR
27. GER
28. HUN
29. CHN
30. AUS
31. GEO
32. ESP
33. EST
34. UZE
35. NED
With 42 spots, there are 7 left in the qualifying round. Of course there are more if spots are given up.
So under this system..Japan could send up to six skaters but the U.S. only gain an additional spot because neither Flatt nor Nagasu were in the top 5.
I don't know, just playing for fun. But by doing it this way, you ensure that the BEST skaters get to compete. Would love to hear your thoughts.
ETA: This system would also never fly because then certain ISU member organizations would probably always be left out....but hey we can dream.
ETA 2: Tweaked it a bit based on the feedback received so far. Also erase all names except that of the Top 5 and medalists at GPF because yes we don't know who will get them if this was the system.
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