Do any of the newcomers have a chance to medal?

[mpal2]

I know that the US Champion is guaranteed a spot on the World Team (within age constraints), but aren't the other spots still kind of open for some political wiggle room? They generally go to the top 2 or 3 but that isn't a rule is it?

 

[chuckm]

I don't think the USFS is concerned how it may "look" to the World if they put an ineligible skater on the podium and send #4 to Worlds. They put Nari Nam on the podium and sent #4 Hughes in '99, and in '00 they did the same with Cohen and sent #4 Nikodinov. Hughes went on to win bronze on her 3rd try in '01, and Nikodinov finished 5th in '01. And of course Cohen emerged in later years to become a GPF champion and World silver medalist.

It seems to me putting an ineligible on the podium is in a way announcing to the World: look out for this young 'un in the future and is not necessarily a knock on #4.

 

[Mathman]

Meaning the US governing body can ultimately decide who makes the world team regardless of placements at Nationals?

I think Mpal is right. I believe that the bylaws of the USFSA require that they send the national champion, but give them the leeway to choose other spots however they want to. In the past, AFAIK the only times that they have not sent the second- and third-place finishers (if they have three places) are when someone gets an injury bye, like Nancy Kerrigan in the 1994 Olympics. Or recently, as ChuckM points out, when a skater is too young for worlds (the Tara rule).

BTW, I believe there are exceptional cases when the ISU waives the age restriction. For instance if a small country's national champion is too young but they don't have anyone else to send.

It seems to me that in various statements and interviews, USFSA officials have taken pride in the "purity" of their selection process, looking down their noses at other federations who do allow for "political wiggle room."

I also don't like in Gymnastics how the national organization can overrule the results to pick the world team, although I can understand it - particularly if top competitors miss Nationals due to injury but are recovered by worlds. Unfortunate that those politics come into play.

As I understand it, the justification for giving the gymnastics governing body some leeway in selecting the Olympic team is that it really is a team. So they need specialists in particular apparatuses, in addition to the strongest all-rounders.

The men's 2004 Olympic basketball team made the mistake of just assembling a hodge-podge of all-stars, without giving thought to the team aspect.

This does not apply to figure skating, as far as I can see.

It seems to me putting an ineligible on the podium is in a way announcing to the World: look out for this young 'un in the future and is not necessarily a knock on #4.

I agree with this 100%. If you've already got two seasoned veterans to carry the ball, it seems like a good stategy to also prepare for the future.

Many young skaters are held back in juniors for an extra year (Cynthia Phaneuf, for instance). This strategy might work, or it might backfire, it seems to me.

Anyway, I think the main point is that we have a right to expect fair judging at Nationals, whatever the USFSA may decide to do afterward.

Mathman

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

What if Bebe has an incredible skate and landing 7 triples (two 3x3s), Charlotte spirals forwards and backwards, I spin - all of which she is capable of and the second place skater is Kimmie. Hypothetically, the top tier skaters do not skate their best. Bebe wins by the judges. Is she automatic to go to Worlds?

Joe

 

[mpal2]

As long as she meets the age requirements she would be.

 

[euterpe]

I think BeBe would go to Worlds with Michelle and Sasha. I don't see that Kwan and Cohen would ever be left off the World Team this year, because the USFS wants to keep those 3 Ladies spots for Torino.

 

[Ptichka]

Sometimes USFSA must have the freedom to send someone other than the National medalist. Think back to '98. I doubt anyone could expect the federation to not send Nancy just because she never got a chance to medal at Nationals.