Here is how skaters are chosen for the Grand Prix.
First, the host countries pick three of their own skaters/teams from each discipline. The picks can be seeds, but they do not have to meet any ISU criteria (i.e., they don't have to be on the ISU Ranking list or the Seasons Best list). The USFS could pick Gregory/Petukhov as one of their dance teams, since G/P don't meet any of the ISU criteria for an invitation by another host.
Then the hosts draw for order of selection in each of the following categories:
1. Seeds 1-3
2. Seeds 4-6
3. Top 6-12 at Worlds
4. Top 24 on ISU Ranking list
5. Top 24 on SB Ranking list
6. Remaining spots, chosen from the top 75 on the Seasons Best list.
I wish the USFS would be a savvy as Skate Canada is when it comes to selections. This year, Skate Canada has a seed in every category (and two seeds in Pairs), and they can enhance the possibilities of their lower-ranked skaters finishing on or close to the podium by being careful with their selections---depending, of course, on where they place in the draw order.
