Grand Prix 2016-17 News/Speculation

[Snow63]

Damn! I secretly hoped to see Virtue/Moir at Rostelecom Cup Is it certain that they're skipping GP series, or just a speculation?

 

[chuckm]

Even if V/M did do the GP, I doubt they'd get an invite to CoR. The Russian teams were 9th and 11th at Worlds. The Russian host surely wants a GP medal for one of their teams, and since they have to pick two seeds from the top 6, they aren't going to invite another strong competitor.

 

[Snow63]

Even if V/M did do the GP, I doubt they'd get an invite to CoR. The Russian teams were 9th and 11th at Worlds. The Russian host surely wants a GP medal for one of their teams, and since they have to pick two seeds from the top 6, they aren't going to invite another strong competitor.

That's true and I agree with that. I just wanted to see them live at the arena And anyway, is it official that they will not go to GPs?

 

[cheerknithanson]

No way is Nathan is staying yet another year in Juniors. He made the World team why would he take a step backwards? It's time for both Nathan and M/C in ice dance to leave Juniors for good.

And also the Parsons. Yes, I know the Parsons didn't win everything like M/C, but they've been on the circuit for a while as well.

 

[Ice Dance]

That's true and I agree with that. I just wanted to see them live at the arena And anyway, is it official that they will not go to GPs?

As far as I know NOTHING is official. The thread I read had a link to an interview with Scott--I think--saying he and Tessa "had to qualify." And the poster said they were planning to compete one GP. Then someone else posted that V&M might try to get a second GP spot via the Challenger series.

Which is all fine, except that they don't have to qualify. And if they aren't using the comeback option, then the only initial GP they could do would be Skate Canada.

 

[Ice Dance]

And also the Parsons. Yes, I know the Parsons didn't win everything like M/C, but they've been on the circuit for a while as well.

It's not the same. The Parsons have almost no chance of getting two Senior GP spots. There is too much depth in U.S. dance right now, and there are far fewer spots on the Grand Prix available in dance than in the men's event. (In the U.S. funding envelopes, the Parsons are ranked in a lower tier than McNamara & Carpenter, Hawayek & Baker, and Cannuscio & McManus. This isn't a clear ranking of competitive preferences, but it is the only national ranking I have seen with all of these teams). As it is, it will likely be very tough for M&C, H&B, and C&M to win a second GP invite, even if Hubbell & Donahue do not compete at Skate America.

The Parsons still have something to gain by remaining in juniors. A major junior national or international title would set them up for the leap into seniors. The leap from juniors to seniors in dance is NOT the same as in singles. To pretend it is would be folly. There are no jumps to provide younger athletes with a clear technical advantage. You have to have the total package, the support of your federation, and every title you can get your hands on. So why not try to earn that last? And in doing so gain the second?

In dance, everything takes longer. If the Parsons were competing for France or even the U.S. a decade ago, then their current junior season would absolutely set them up for this season in seniors. But the U.S dance field is now crazy deep. The international dance field is likewise deeper than ever. And GP dance openings are more limited than ever.

Nathan, if healthy, has almost 100% chance of getting two GP spots, after a third-place ranking at Senior Nationals. There are far more spots available in men's singles on the GP. And far more injuries. Also Nathan has two Junior National titles and a JGP title. It is also much easier to compete at two different levels--senior & junior--for a singles skater than it is to do so in dance, where the rhythms & pattern dance in the SD are not the same.

In dance last season, U.S. teams placed 2nd, 3rd, and 6th at Senior Worlds.

In the men's discipline, the highest U.S. man placed 6th.

In dance last season, the U.S. qualified 3 teams to the Grand Prix Final.

In the men's discipline, the U.S. didn't qualify anyone.

 

[cheerknithanson]

It's not the same. The Parsons have almost no chance of getting two Senior GP spots. There is too much depth in U.S. dance right now, and there are far fewer spots on the Grand Prix available in dance than in the men's event. (In the U.S. funding envelopes, the Parsons are ranked in a lower tier than McNamara & Carpenter, Hawayek & Baker, and Cannuscio & McManus. This isn't a clear ranking of competitive preferences, but it is the only national ranking I have seen with all of these teams). As it is, it will likely be very tough for M&C, H&B, and C&M to win a second GP invite, even if Hubbell & Donahue do not compete at Skate America.

The Parsons still have something to gain by remaining in juniors. A major junior national or international title would set them up for the leap into seniors. The leap from juniors to seniors in dance is NOT the same as in singles. To pretend it is would be folly. There are no jumps to provide younger athletes with a clear technical advantage. You have to have the total package, the support of your federation, and every title you can get your hands on. So why not try to earn that last? And in doing so gain the second?

In dance, everything takes longer. If the Parsons were competing for France or even the U.S. a decade ago, then their current junior season would absolutely set them up for this season in seniors. But the U.S dance field is now crazy deep. The international dance field is likewise deeper than ever. And GP dance openings are more limited than ever.

Nathan, if healthy, has almost 100% chance of getting two GP spots, after a third-place ranking at Senior Nationals. There are far more spots available in men's singles on the GP. And far more injuries. Also Nathan has two Junior National titles and a JGP title. It is also much easier to compete at two different levels--senior & junior--for a singles skater than it is to do so in dance, where the rhythms & pattern dance in the SD are not the same.

In dance last season, U.S. teams placed 2nd, 3rd, and 6th at Senior Worlds.

In the men's discipline, the highest U.S. man placed 6th.

In dance last season, the U.S. qualified 3 teams to the Grand Prix Final.

In the men's discipline, the U.S. didn't qualify anyone.

I guess you're right. And they'll finally be able to win more stuff if they do stay juniors this season. Which will be their last year. After that, no excuses. 2017-2018 they'll have to do senior.

And it's true that the US field is deep as Marianna's Trench.

 

[cathlen]

With Konstantin Menshov being retired, there is one more open spot in Men. I guess this is a chance for some Russian Men (like Samarin) to get second spot.

 

[Ice Dance]

I guess you're right. And they'll finally be able to win more stuff if they do stay juniors this season. Which will be their last year. After that, no excuses. 2017-2018 they'll have to do senior.

And it's true that the US field is deep as Marianna's Trench.

There was some speculation that we would know after the entry lists for the Chesapeake Open come out. (Practically everyone in the U.S. junior field competed there last season, including M&C and the Parsons). According to a post on FSU, neither the Parsons nor McNamara & Carpenter are signed up for the Chesapeake Open at the moment. Wheaton Academy does have a slew of teams signed up for the events there, including the Greens and Gunter & Wein competing as juniors. So at least for now, McNamara & Carpenter and the Parsons are still a possibility for going senior.

 

[cheerknithanson]

There was some speculation that we would know after the entry lists for the Chesapeake Open come out. (Practically everyone in the U.S. junior field competed there last season, including M&C and the Parsons). According to a post on FSU, neither the Parsons nor McNamara & Carpenter are signed up for the Chesapeake Open at the moment. Wheaton Academy does have a slew of teams signed up for the events there, including the Greens and Gunter & Wein competing as juniors. So at least for now, McNamara & Carpenter and the Parsons are still a possibility for going senior.

Aw man, if either one of them goes to seniors, I'm going to be dancing and running for joy! I have this small bit of delusional prediction that one of them could get 3rd or 4th at senior nationals. LOLOLOL. I'm thinking too big.

 

[tulosai]

Aw man, if either one of them goes to seniors, I'm going to be dancing and running for joy! I have this small bit of delusional prediction that one of them could get 3rd or 4th at senior nationals. LOLOLOL. I'm thinking too big.

I don't think third, but given what we know right now, I don't see why not 4th...

 

[cheerknithanson]

Well less than 4 weeks until we find out....and this is taking way too long. Anyone counting down?

Should we start getting popcorn and drinks ready for the day we find out?

 

[actualrealliveanna]

Hmmm... I suppose now would be a good time to submit my predictions. These are speculations on who I think will get assigned to what event!

MEN:
Skate America: Boyang Jin, Adam Rippon
Skate Canada: Javier Fernandez, Patrick Chan
Rostelecom: Yuzuru Hanyu, Mikhail Kolyada
Trophee de France: Javier Fernandez, Adam Rippon
Cup Of China: Boyang Jin, Mikhail Kolyada
NHK: Yuzuru Hanyu, Patrick Chan

LADIES:
Skate America: Ashley Wagner, Elena Radionova
Skate Canada: Anna Pogorilaya, Gracie Gold
Rostelecom: Evgenia Medvedeva, Elena Radionova
Trophee de France: Ashley Wagner, Satoko Miyahara
Cup Of China: Evgenia Medvedeva, Gracie Gold
NHK: Anna Pogorilaya, Satoko Miyahara

PAIRS:
Skate America: Sui Wenjing/Han Cong, Lubov Iliushechkina/Dylan Moscovitch
Skate Canada: Meagan Duhamel/Eric Radford, Evgenia Tarasova/Vladimir Morozov
Rostelecom: Aliona Savchenko/Bruno Massot, Ksenia Stolbova/Fedor Klimov
Trophee de France: Meagan Duhamel/Eric Radford, Lubov Iliushechkina/Dylan Moscovitch
Cup Of China: Sui Wenjing/Han Cong, Ksenia Stolbova/Fedor Klimov
NHK: Aliona Savchenko/Bruno Massot, Evgenia Tarasova/Vladimir Morozov

DANCE:
Skate America: Maia Shibutani/Alex Shibutani, Madison Hubbell/Zachary Donohue
Skate Canada: Madison Chock/Evan Bates, Kaitlyn Weaver/Andrew Poje
Rostelecom: Maia Shibutani/Alex Shibutani, Anna Cappellini/Luca Lanotte
Trophee de France: Gabriella Papadakis/Guillaume Cizeron, Madison Hubbell/Zachary Donohue
Cup Of China: Madison Chock/Evan Bates, Kaitlyn Weaver/Andrew Poje
NHK: Gabriella Papadakis/Guillaume Cizeron, Anna Cappellini/Luca Lanotte

 

[cathlen]

Rostelecom: Yuzuru Hanyu, Mikhail Kolyada

Cup Of China: Sui Wenjing/Han Cong, Ksenia Stolbova/Fedor Klimov

I'd love to see them competing against each other!
Also, very interesting that you put up Chock/Bates and Weaver/Poje together in both GP.

 

[Weathergal]

I'd love to see them competing against each other!
Also, very interesting that you put up Chock/Bates and Weaver/Poje together in both GP.

What about Volosozhar/Trankov?

 

[Daniel1998]

What about Volosozhar/Trankov?

I don't think they're competing in the GP events next season.

 

[Weathergal]

I don't think they're competing in the GP events next season.

Thanks--I thought it was a possibility but haven't heard it was confirmed.

 

[mcq]

My prediction, single only

SA : Fernandez, Rippon*
SC : Jin, Chan*
CoR : Hanyu, Kolyada*
TEB : Fernandez, Chan
CoC : Jin*, Kolyada
NHK : Hanyu*, Rippon
* = definite host pick

P.S : SC is actually very close to Cricket Club so there are possibility either Yuzu or Javi would prefer to go there (though Yuzu had been there for 13/14 and 15/16 season so maybe not him again). I doubt NHK would want Chan to be assigned there, probably there will be deal between Feds to arrange this but well anything could happen (But this means Chan going to SC and TEB again for years). Fernandez has never been to SA before, or if he wants to go to CoR (again) Hanyu will do TEB instead.

Ladies :
SA: Pogorilaya, Gold*
SC: Wagner, Radionova
CoR : Medvedeva*, Gold
TEB : Wagner, Miyahara
CoC : Medvedeva, Radionova
NHK : Pogorilaya, Miyahara*
* = host pick

P.S : Not sure if USFSA would go for Wagner + Gold at the same GP, but Gold is a home skater in Chicago + National Champ so I go for her instead of Wagner.

 

[VIETgrlTerifa]

I would think NHK would want the Shibs, so I'm assuming that's going to be their second GP, unless another host gets to pick before the Japanese Fed and chooses them or the Japanese Fed really wants P/C or C/B instead. I can possibly see P/C but not C/B.

 

[actualrealliveanna]

I'd love to see them competing against each other!
Also, very interesting that you put up Chock/Bates and Weaver/Poje together in both GP.

Me as well! Sui/Han and Stolbova/Klimov are so different... it would be interesting to see how they stack up against one another at a GP!

I figured SC would want Chock/Bates at their event, with Tessa and Scott returning and WeaPo only placing fifth at Worlds - Chock/Bates are the least threatening of the three medalists, IMO. WeaPo COULD get NHK, the Japanese fans seem to really like them!