B/G were expecting to be invited for Skate America with the vacant spot in the entry list, but that invitation never came... And the reason I'm pretty sure was the one you mentioned. With the scores they are currently getting they would finish on the podium (and probably already be granted a spot for the final). That's why Matteo stated he is not really happy with the current rules. This said I'm super glad that they got a second gp in the end!I can kind of understand it for some of the others, where selecting B/G could have jeopardised the host country's chance of getting a pair into the GP final (although I don't really agree with it). Japan have no chance of having a pair qualify now that R/K have withdrawn for both GPs, so there really is no reason to not select B/G.
It may end up better for them this way. They would have taken the bronze at Skate America. I think they have a decent chance of silver at NHK, and possibly even gold if Hase/Volodin don't skate at their best. Ghilardi/Ambrosini are inconsistent, especially Rebecca with jumps, and tend to underperform in one programme or the other. The new Japanese team don't have an ISU record at all, so it is difficult to gauge how well they might do. Moriguchi got some medals with his previous partner, but at Junior level.B/G were expecting to be invited for Skate America with the vacant spot in the entry list, but that invitation never came... And the reason I'm pretty sure was the one you mentioned. With the scores they are currently getting they would finish on the podium (and probably already be granted a spot for the final). That's why Matteo stated he is not really happy with the current rules. This said I'm super glad that they got a second gp in the end!
Well, I think Skate America was an easier field for them to start with as they had already placed ahead of Hocke/Kunkel who won the event while Hase/Volodin have always ended above them. Ghilardi/Ambrosini may not be that consistent but I think they can make a mistake and still place ahead because they are European silver medallist and reputation counts to the judges' eyes... All that said, I'm happy Lucrezia & Matteo got their chance to compete at another GP... and we'll see what happens there!It may end up better for them this way. They would have taken the bronze at Skate America. I think they have a decent chance of silver at NHK, and possibly even gold if Hase/Volodin don't skate at their best. Ghilardi/Ambrosini are inconsistent, especially Rebecca with jumps, and tend to underperform in one programme or the other. The new Japanese team don't have an ISU record at all, so it is difficult to gauge how well they might do. Moriguchi got some medals with his previous partner, but at Junior level.
They're definitely not beating H/V, unless the Germans have an absolute meltdown. At Nebelhorn Trophy, H/V beat B/G by 3 points despite ending up without a sbs jump in the Short and making mistakes on the combo in the Free... They'd have had a much easier time with both H/K and P/M, who they beat at the same competition (to be fair, not if they skated like at Skate Canada, but then again the other two also didn't skate as well as at Nebelhorn ).It may end up better for them this way. They would have taken the bronze at Skate America. I think they have a decent chance of silver at NHK, and possibly even gold if Hase/Volodin don't skate at their best. Ghilardi/Ambrosini are inconsistent, especially Rebecca with jumps, and tend to underperform in one programme or the other. The new Japanese team don't have an ISU record at all, so it is difficult to gauge how well they might do. Moriguchi got some medals with his previous partner, but at Junior level.
Pretty much everyone on the top ten replacement list that doesn't help really or did I miss something ?For all you spot watchers out there, here's a list of places with visa-free travel to Japan.
Well then, I guess it didn't help as much as I thought it would, lol.Pretty much everyone on the top ten replacement list that doesn't help really or did I miss something ?
The intention was thereWell then, I guess it didn't help as much as I thought it would, lol.
Oh wait, I don't see Ukraine on the list, which might rule out Shmuratko...Pretty much everyone on the top ten replacement list that doesn't help really or did I miss something ?
I would hope that they wouldn't pick someone at Espoo in any case, just because of the turn around... but so far, none of my hopes have been fulfilled lolOh wait, I don't see Ukraine on the list, which might rule out Shmuratko...
Shmuratko has been assigned to GP Espoo.Oh wait, I don't see Ukraine on the list, which might rule out Shmuratko...
But he could technically still pick up a second assignment. Whether a second assignment is doable is another question entirely, and it's not up to me to answer it.Shmuratko has been assigned to GP Espoo.
Seems unlikely that a lower-ranked skater with no original assignments would get two spots.But he could technically still pick up a second assignment. Whether a second assignment is doable is another question entirely, and it's not up to me to answer it.
That's what I thought and then... Mark, Maksim and Conrad didn't get a second spot. So who knows what will happen.Seems unlikely that a lower-ranked skater with no original assignments would get two spots.