Can anybody explain why Iliuschechkina/Bilodeau have two GPs, but Stolbova and Novoselov haven't been added yet?
Isn't there something about how returning skaters and skaters with certain world ranking, even with new partners, can get spots? Or maybe their one or both spots were host picks.
Novoselov may not have been released yet. Do we even know they are still training together?
ETA: I searched a bit. Here's something:
“Come-Back” Skaters/Couples: Skaters/Couples who were previously seeded (placed 1 to 6 within the
past 10 years at a ISU World Figure Skating Championships) and subsequently did not participate in one
or more competitive seasons will be given priority consideration to re-enter the ISU Grand Prix of Figure
Skating for selection of up to 2 assignments if they commit in writing to participating in two ISU Grand Prix
ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating and ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2019/20 of Figure Skating events and if such return is announced and confirmed by the date of the annual Selection
Meeting. Such so called “Come Back Skaters/Couples” will not substitute any of the Seeded
Skaters/Couples, mentioned under a). “Come Back Skaters/Couples” must not fulfil the requirements of
the minimum Grand Prix score and would be considered for selection as an Organizing ISU Member
Choice.
Return of a Split Couple - “Returning Split Couple”
Pairs or Dance Couples, who were previously in the top 7 to 12 of an ISU World Figure Skating
Championships in the past two seasons (2017/18 or 2018/19) but who split and now have a new partner,
may always be chosen as an Organizing ISU Member Skater as per paragraph 2.2. f) and in addition,
may be considered as an Organizing ISU Member’s Choice as per paragraph 2.2. g). They will be ranked
in the list of Grand Prix Season’s Best scores by taking the season’s points of their partnership with their
most recent previous partner, if proof is given in writing by their ISU Member that they intend to continue
their competitive career and their return is announced and confirmed by the date of the annual Selection
Meeting. Such Pairs/Dance Couples are defined as a “Returning Split Couple” and such Returning Split
Couples do not need to fulfill the requirement of a minimum Grand Prix score.
https://www.isu.org/docman-document...44-gp-general-announcement-2019-20-final/file
But then, Tsao might do well on his own, I recall he was 2nd last August in Asian Open. Anyway, he's an interesting addition so I look forward to seeing him on the GP circuit.
