2025-26 Grand Prix assignments released

[BlissfulSynergy]

Juat a darn minute.

We knew April 9 that Skate America was moved to November. There was a whole thread about "Why was Skate America moved to November" that was started April 9. Probably the ISU and USFS knew well before it was announced, so well before April 9.

Assignments were announced June 6.

Are you telling me that the USA made their host picks prior to Skate America being moved (ie prior to April 9)? Did they make all their picks before April 9? Did all the hosts make all their picks prior to April 9 (since the US isn't picking in a vacuum)? And then the US and France just swapped choices? What about pairs? Did the US choose Shin/Nagy and MacBeath/Parkmann for Skate America and they just got swapped out to GPFrance?

I think the change of dates probably did have some effect on the assignments, but only for the seeded skaters who were in a position to make their preferences known. For example, Mallinin might have wanted Skate America AND first event, and when that was impossible, chose by date instead of location.

But I highly doubt that USFSA actually chose skaters (as in officially) prior to April 9. And then strong-armed the French federation into inviting them to GP France.

Obviously, there was no strong-arming. I heard it was France that needed to make a switch and U.S. fed obliged. Skate America is known to always be the first GP. U.S. fed could have, by the time of the switch, already decided on their three men, especially Malinin, who is accustomed to the early GP scheduling assignment, and also Naumov as the host pick. Just as three Italian guys were already set for the usual French GP time slot. It otherwise does not make sense for three Italian men to be at Skate America over only two U.S. men.

Obviously, all of the GP assignments were not decided until later, prior to being announced in June. But the scheduling switch, no matter that it took place in April, clearly ended up impacting lineups. Plus, it appears that a deal may have been struck whereby U.S. fed initially received 10 assignments for men. Of course, now decreased to 8, due to the injury withdrawals.

Despite the GP assignments being announced in June, the selections and decisionmaking process surely starts a few months earlier, around the conclusion of Worlds (end of March) at the latest.

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

Obviously, there was no strong-arming. I heard it was France that needed to make a switch and U.S. fed obliged. Skate America is known to always be the first GP. U.S. fed could have, by the time of the switch, already decided on their three men, especially Malinin, who is accustomed to the early GP scheduling assignment, and also Naumov as the host pick. Just as three Italian guys were already set for the usual French GP time slot. It otherwise does not make sense for three Italian men to be at Skate America over only two U.S. men.

Obviously, all of the GP assignments were not decided until later, prior to being announced in June. But the scheduling switch, no matter that it took place in April, clearly ended up impacting lineups. Plus, it appears that a deal may have been struck whereby U.S. fed initially received 10 assignments for men. Of course, now decreased to 8, due to the injury withdrawals.

Indeed I have also read by the time (not from a French source) that the Angers venue had something else on the planned date, and that USFS agreed to switch. I had guessed that this switch, might have been the reason why Grand Prix de France had three US Men while Skate America had two. I have also suspected that the other switch, Cup of China and Skate Canada International, might be the reason for a geographically unfortunate calendar for Kazuki Tomono, but then I have no idea as to how and when federations plan their Grand Prix assignments. I think though that for a federation who has a potential Olympic medallist in an Olympic season, this particular athlete's season build-up may be planned long before, and even that of less medallable athletes.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Yes I know, but previous years Pulkinen had the ranks, he didn't have it this year. And again, he WASN'T invited to Finland, it was China. Gogolev got Finland because of Broussard's withdrawal.

Your facts are old. Pulkinen is indeed a talented skater and has previously been top ranked. He wasn't this year. And that is because he had a bad season last year. So the "previous" we are talking about is two+ years old results.

There are A LOT of skaters that had great results two seasons ago. Do you want to give them GP spots as well?

Okay, great. Pulkinen got Cup of China GP this year, not Finlandia Trophy, like he often has in the past. Obviously, as I pointed out earlier, a deal was made for U.S. to get 10 spots for men in exchange for accommodating the scheduling switch with France. There is still no reason for you to keep piling on about Pulkinen, especially as he's withdrawn from his one GP. He was third at 2025 U.S. Nationals, and at his best, Pulkinen is a better overall skater than a number of men who have two GP assignments this season. This is true, regardless of Pulkinen's recent WS ranking and his competitive inconsistency.

It's also extremely negative and dismissive of you to pick on Maxim Naumov for receiving one GP assignment. Again, as a result of the scheduling switch, Naumov was likely initially penciled in by U.S. fed early on as a host pick. Many people in the sport are moved to be supportive and encouraging to Naumov, not just because of his grievous losses, but due to his deserving talent. We have seen similar support given to talented Ukrainian skaters who have experienced devastating hardships. The usual first event scheduling for Skate America vs later for GP France seemingly had some impact on how lineups turned out.

FYI-- Maxim Naumov has competed at Skate America as a host pick in 2020, 2023, and 2024. It's highly likely he was an early host pick for 2025. The negotiated flipflop between the U.S. and France apparently led to Naumov, Malinin, and Torgashev, all competing at GP France as a direct result of the event scheduling change. In turn, Circelli, Grassl, and Rizzo are competing at Skate America, in the former GP France time slot.

 

[Jontor]

Pulkinen is a better overall skater than a number of men who have two GP assignments this season. This is true, regardless of Pulkinen's recent WS ranking and his competitive inconsistency.

What? I'm thinking cognitive dissonance here. You know when someone convinces themself something is true as it suits them better.

It's also extremely negative and dismissive of you to pick on Maxim Naumov

FYI - Naumov happens to be one of my favourite American skaters. I was very happy to see him in France.

 

[NanaPat]

Obviously, there was no strong-arming. I heard it was France that needed to make a switch and U.S. fed obliged. Skate America is known to always be the first GP. U.S. fed could have, by the time of the switch, already decided on their three men, especially Malinin, who is accustomed to the early GP scheduling assignment, and also Naumov as the host pick. Just as three Italian guys were already set for the usual French GP time slot. It otherwise does not make sense for three Italian men to be at Skate America over only two U.S. men.

Obviously, all of the GP assignments were not decided until later, prior to being announced in June. But the scheduling switch, no matter that it took place in April, clearly ended up impacting lineups. Plus, it appears that a deal may have been struck whereby U.S. fed initially received 10 assignments for men. Of course, now decreased to 8, due to the injury withdrawals.

Despite the GP assignments being announced in June, the selections and decisionmaking process surely starts a few months earlier, around the conclusion of Worlds (end of March) at the latest.

I think it's a matter of wording. "Was originally a Skate America host pick" to me implies that he was an official Skate America host pick, which would have put the timing shortly before June 6. If you'd said "USFS intended to pick him for Skate America, and the French federation agreed to choose him as part of an overall agreement over the date switch between Skate America and GP France", I wouldn't have had any problems.

For me, intending something months before it happened (the intention must have been well prior to April 9, when the date switch was announced) is different from it actually happening (which would have been in early June when the hosts actually picked skaters for their events). There's many a slip between cup and lip, to use an old cliche. Geez, my listening to Chris has affected my word choices!

Another example of poor wording: "It's highly likely he was an early host pick for 2025." To me, a host pick is one who is officially announced as part of the GP assignments. So, it would be more correct to say "It's highly likely he was intended to be a SkateAmerica host pick for 2025."

 

[NanaPat]

Skate America is known to always be the first GP.

Usually but not always. Not in 2009, 2010, and 2017. Note that two of those were in Olympic seasons and that in both of those Olympic seasons, Skate America was in November in Lake Placid. Just as it is this year,

 

[Weathergal]

I think it's a matter of wording. "Was originally a Skate America host pick" to me implies that he was an official Skate America host pick, which would have put the timing shortly before June 6. If you'd said "USFS intended to pick him for Skate America, and the French federation agreed to choose him as part of an overall agreement over the date switch between Skate America and GP France", I wouldn't have had any problems.

For me, intending something months before it happened (the intention must have been well prior to April 9, when the date switch was announced) is different from it actually happening (which would have been in early June when the hosts actually picked skaters for their events). There's many a slip between cup and lip, to use an old cliche. Geez, my listening to Chris has affected my word choices!

Hot take here - but I actually like Chris. (Not meaning to imply you don't.) Do I prefer Mark? Yes. But I find Chris very charming. And the combo of him and Kirstin is really good.

Getting back OT, I was originally baffled and not too thrilled that the US didn't use all two Men's slots at Skate America. But after reading explanations such as Jontor's and yours, it makes more sense.

Also not agreeing that Camden Pulkinen is a better overall skater than a bunch of men who have two overall assignments this season. I think he was at one point, but he hasn't been at that level in a while. And I say that as someone who likes his skating and thinks he's had some beautiful skates.

 

[Jontor]

Hot take here - but I actually like Chris. (Not meaning to imply you don't.) Do I prefer Mark? Yes. But I find Chris very charming. And the combo of him and Kirstin is really good.

Getting back OT, I was originally baffled and not too thrilled that the US didn't use all two Men's slots at Skate America. But after reading explanations such as Jontor's and yours, it makes more sense.

Also not agreeing that Camden Pulkinen is a better overall skater than a bunch of men who have two overall assignments this season. I think he was at one point, but he hasn't been at that level in a while. And I say that as someone who likes his skating and thinks he's had some beautiful skates.

I like Chris too! He will always have a special place in my heart as he was the one that got me into figure skating.


It was back in 1994. I was home from school, down with the flu. I lied in the sofa watching Eurosport all day. Europeans was on, and Chris was commentating. He did such an impressive job that I learned all the jumps, and more importantly, I knew which jump was coming up before they did it! A whole new world opened up for me, and suddenly, figure skating was exciting.

 

[Jontor]

Ahsun Yun got the spot at NHK. Which means Seoyoung Kim must have declined.

No confirmation yet who got the spot at Skate Canada. If not Samodelkina, then Mariia Seniuk is next in line.

It also looks like Xiangyi An has withdrawn from China.

 

[lariko]

Ahsun Yun got the spot at NHK. Which means Seoyoung Kim must have declined.

No confirmation yet who got the spot at Skate Canada. If not Samodelkina, then Mariia Seniuk is next in line.

It also looks like Xiangyi An has withdrawn from China.

Thank you for keeping up with the updates on it! Is deadline for substitute this weekend for Skate Can? I have a feeling they might go with 11 skaters.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

What? I'm thinking cognitive dissonance here. You know when someone convinces themself something is true as it suits them better.

FYI - Naumov happens to be one of my favourite American skaters. I was very happy to see him in France.

So, you think it's okay to refer to me as having cognitive dissonance simply because you disagree with me about Pulkinen's and Naumov's talent, accomplishments, and worthiness to compete on the GP. Got it.

As far as Pulkinen, when he's healthy and at his best, he's definitely a more well-rounded skater than Gabrielle Frangipani and Luc Economides (to name just two skaters) who received two GP spots this season. This is not just my opinion. Pulkinen has placed as high as 5th at Worlds (2022), where he also received the small bronze medal for placing third in the free skate. Yes, Pulkinen has also been inconsistent competitively, but his talent is highly regarded and unquestionable. In the difficult U.S. men's field, Pulkinen has won the bronze medal twice. He's competed at two GPs on the senior Grand Prix circuit for multiple seasons, and he has an accomplished junior career.

Economides and Frangipani are very good skaters, too. They are both creative and entertaining, but neither have placed as high at Worlds as Pulkinen. Comparatively, at his best, Pulkinen has proven his stellar abilities. It's total disrespect for you to suggest that Pulkinen is not worthy of having received one GP assignment this season.

Now, you are saying that Maxim Naumov is one of your favorite American skaters after negatively griping in several posts about him receiving one GP assignment this season. As I pointed out, Maxim is a talented skater who has received a Skate America host pick 3 times previously. He likely was penciled in for another SA host pick this season, but with the scheduling swap, he ended up at GP France, where while he wasn't at his absolute best, Maxim placed 9th overall, ahead of a fp imploding Kao Miura; Luc Economides; and Gabrielle Frangipani. In both sp and fp, Maxim finished ahead of Luc and Gabrielle.

 

[Kiki5375]

Is it ISU or USFS who decides about which US Skater get an assignment?
If it's USFS my guess is they just took the top 8 from Nationals plus Jason Brown and Lukas Broussard?

 

[lariko]

Is it ISU or USFS who decides about which US Skater get an assignment?
If it's USFS my guess is they just took the top 8 from Nationals plus Jason Brown and Lukas Broussard?

Scores/ranking and World's placement in previous season(s) define eligibility except for host spots, and there is a strict sequence depending on that in which assignments and substitutes are determined. Host spots in Sk America is decided by the fed.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Also not agreeing that Camden Pulkinen is a better overall skater than a bunch of men who have two overall assignments this season. I think he was at one point, but he hasn't been at that level in a while. And I say that as someone who likes his skating and thinks he's had some beautiful skates.

This is not about Pulkinen not being at a high level. As fans, who are we to determine what a skater's level of ability might end up being from season-to-season. There are so many factors involved. For Pulkinen, it has recently been his struggles with injury and trying to balance his training schedule with academic studies. At his best, Pulkinen has achieved great results. Yes, he has been inconsistent, too, which does not mean he didn't deserve a GP assignment this season. He got an invite, for whatever reason.

The reason this discussion began is because Jontor made a huge, negative big deal about both Camden Pulkinen and Maxim Naumov each receiving one GP assignment this season. Just because some fans may dislike certain skaters or are down on the U.S. and some of their skaters, does NOT mean those skaters are not deserving of at least one GP assignment. Pulkinen has received two GP assignments for multiple seasons. Yes, he has been injured, and he's prioritized academic studies, but that does not mean, at his best, he is not highly competitive. His 5th place finish and small bronze medal in the fp at 2022 Worlds are proof of his top-level skill and talent.

I do not see the point of Jontor being so dismissive of Pulkinen and Naumov each receiving one GP assignment. Jontor has continued to draw this out when, as I said a while ago in this thread, Pulkinen has withdrawn with injury, so there's no reason for Jontor to keep piling on about Pulkinen's Cup of China invite this season.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Usually but not always. Not in 2009, 2010, and 2017. Note that two of those were in Olympic seasons and that in both of those Olympic seasons, Skate America was in November in Lake Placid. Just as it is this year,

Right. Usually, but not always. I should have chosen my words more carefully. Thank you for splitting hairs.

As has already been noted, it was France who coincidentally needed to reschedule this year, not the U.S.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

I think it's a matter of wording. "Was originally a Skate America host pick" to me implies that he was an official Skate America host pick, which would have put the timing shortly before June 6. If you'd said "USFS intended to pick him for Skate America, and the French federation agreed to choose him as part of an overall agreement over the date switch between Skate America and GP France", I wouldn't have had any problems.

For me, intending something months before it happened (the intention must have been well prior to April 9, when the date switch was announced) is different from it actually happening (which would have been in early June when the hosts actually picked skaters for their events). There's many a slip between cup and lip, to use an old cliche. Geez, my listening to Chris has affected my word choices!

Another example of poor wording: "It's highly likely he was an early host pick for 2025." To me, a host pick is one who is officially announced as part of the GP assignments. So, it would be more correct to say "It's highly likely he was intended to be a SkateAmerica host pick for 2025."

OMG. I guess you should be the designated GS copyeditor for everyone's posts.

 

[NanaPat]

Right. Usually, but not always. I should have chosen my words more carefully. Thank you for splitting hairs.

For you, being accurate is splitting hairs. And giving low levels for flawed elements is "being nit-picky" (if it's a US skater or one of your favorites).

In this case, the exceptions are of interest because they match the present circumstances. Skate America timing Location Olympic season . That set of circumstances led me to suspect that the US had asked for the change in schedule. I was wrong. And pointing it out is neither nit-picky or splitting hairs. It's accurate.

 

[NanaPat]

OMG. I guess you should be the designated GS copyeditor for everyone's posts.

Most posters don't need it.

 

[Kiki5375]

Ok, let's agree that we will never really find out what went on behind the scenes at ISU and USFS and just be happy to see some very good skaters. Even the ones at the end of the ranking did well last weekend so the assignment was not wrong.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Most posters don't need it.

Which proves your copyediting expertise, apparently.