| Top 3 | Top 5 | Top 10 | Top 15 |
|---|
| 217.20 | 208.44 | 193.44 | 178.10 |
Group 1 candidates - consistent top 3
Nobody at the moment. But Alysa could. Then she'd only have to podium at nationals but even if she doesn't, she'll have a better case than any other group 2's.
Group 2 candidates - consistent top 5 or top 3 once
- Alysa has scored top 3 once already. She only needs to be in the top 5 at nationals to get group 2.
- Bradie has scored over the top 5 score seven times in her career and over top 3 twice (excl. Nationals)
Group 3 candidates - consistent top 10 or top 5 once
- Karen has scored top 5 already. Her goal now is to reach group 2 international requirements.
- Lindsay needs to repeat her 193.77 score to get consistent top 10.
- Mariah has great potential to get consistent top 10. She has achieved this score nine times in her career and top 5 twice (excl. Nationals)
- Amber needs to score over top 5 once internationally first. She has only done this once in her career and it was at nationals. Consistent top 10 will be difficult as she has yet to get that internationally.
- Audrey Shin has potential to be here as she has scored 206.15 at Skate America. She will need to improve on that by a little bit once or consistently score near it this season.
- Anyone who podiums at nationals is here even if you've never posted an international score! (Thanks beepboop for the correction)
Group 4 rcandidates - consistent top 15 or top 10
- Lindsay has a top 10 score already
- Mariah has one top 15 score so far. She has achieved top 15 fifteen times internationally
- Amber has top 15 once this season. She has achieved top 15 seven times internationally
- Gabriella Izzo has top 15 once this season. She has achieved top 15 twice internationally
- Anyone who achieves top 5 at nationals.
My thoughts:
I liked it better when I thought it was AND the placement at nationals. For example, with AND, Karen would have potential to move to group 4 if she doesn't podium at nationals or not be in contention at all if she totally bombs. It's more complicated but it's a clear algorithm that relies less on favouritism.
The OR for group 3 gives USFSA a lot of wiggle room to pick and choose so skaters will really want to get that group 2 if they can. But if everyone but Alysa does just okay and ends up in group 3 then who knows what will happen.