Grand Prix Assignments are up!!!!

[euterpe]

I suspect that Sasha is trying to avoid competing with Arakawa early in the season, and that's why she opted for Cup of China instead of France (Shizuka is doing NHK, France and Russia).

I understand why Shizuka is doing NHK. I'm sure her federation wanted both their National and World Champions at their event. But she trains in the Eastern US and the trip to Japan is 1/2 a world away, then she travels after that to France and Russia. I thought one of the reasons why TT and Sasha parted company was all the travel it entailed. Shizuka's GP travel schedule this year (Japan, Paris, Russia) is MUCH worse than Sasha's schedule last year (Pennsylvania, Ontario, Paris).

 

[guinevere]

Yes, but I bet TT is willing to do it this season for her World Champion skater, as opposed to her previous never-been-on-the-World-podium (at that time) skater!

guinevere

 

[hockeyfan228]

Interesting that Cohen's only doing two events, too. (SA, CC)

Timchenko is back and listed for two events. I thought he quit after last season. (SC,CC)

Same with Jeannette -- I thought he quit after last season in a tiff with the French Federation, but he's listed. (TL)

 

[Chrystia Mee]

Interesting that Cohen's only doing two events, too.

Timchenko is back and listed for two events. I thought he quit after last season.

Same with Jeannette -- I thought he quit after last season in a tiff with the French Federation, but he's listed.

I'm not surprised about Sasha. On her website she wrote that she felt she competed too much and wore herself out. By the end of GP she wasn't doing as well. She fell in the sp and lp at the GPF. And then at the other competition she fell at least 3 times during her Swan Lake. I think it will be better for her. Less strenuous.

 

[tharrtell]

Thrilled to see MK is skating the Grand Prix. Gives me hope that she's seriously considering Turino.

 

[guinevere]

Hmmmm... several of the guys I'd like to see get more assignments (not arguing with the process, just bummed)

1 event for Murvanidze (Canada)
1 event for Davydov (Russia)
1 event for Honda (Japan)
1 event for Jeannette (France)

:\

I see 2 events for Tamura - I thought he was retiring after last season??

 

[floskate]

I'm thrilled that Shawn Sawyer got 2 events. I just hope he makes the best of them and makes this a real building season towards Canadian Nationals. He has so much potential and it'll be great for him to get the international exposure if he skates like he did in the LP at Junior Worlds. I think the assignments of the more obscure skaters are far more interesting!!!

 

[gezando]

I bet SA is Ando's non scoring event, and she will come prepare with the 4s, 3/3 and improved presentation.

 

[brenlynn]

a little nervous over here for Orscher and Lucash. They are up against some really tough teams in Skate America and France. But, on the bright side... this could give them the chance to prove themselves and hopefully up their confidence. This could be a make or break season for them.... hopefully it's a make!

I am pleased with those that will be at Skate America, I was only disppointed that Fedor Andreev and Kevin Van Der Perren won't be there. I find it odd that KVDP only got one event.

 

[BronzeisGolden]

I am so psyched for the GP this year! I'm so pleased that Michelle is doing two events. I also firmly believe that she has to get her programs out there early (especially under COP) so that she can alter/tweak them according to feedback. I think this is a clear indication that she plans on Italy....barring an uber-disasterous 2004-2005 season.
I also think it is great that she and Sasha will face off so early in the season at a major event. They can both see where they stand and work from that. It is so odd to see Kwan at Skate Canada without Slutskaya, though! Anyway, good for Sasha for cutting back to two events...lets hope she doesn't counter that and cheese-fest herself to death. The men's line up looks very exciting as well. I love that we get a Plushenko/Joubert/Weir battle right before the GPF and Worlds!

 

[Lucy25]

If Arutunian's words are of any indication
I think she will be or more so than she has
been in previous years.

That's what I was hoping. Now that COI is over, she has plenty of time for a short vacation and lots of training.

Someone mentioned about Shizuka and her 3/3's under COP. SHe was penalized quite a bit for the under rotations. It will be interesting to see if TT is able to fix this. Worlds this year is using COP, right?

I am glad to see someone mention that Sasha doesn't have a 3/3, either. I am tired of it sounding like Michelle is the only US lady who didn't do one last year. I am pretty sure both ladies will be working hard to have a consistant 3/3 this season. I think Jenny's 3t/3t was very consistant this season, so she just needs to build on it.

I have read on three boards now that Michelle does not like to fly. DId I miss an interview where she said this?

 

[nymkfan51]

Well, it looks like it's pretty official! The usfsa has an article about the assignments up on their homepage now, and here is the first paragraph!

The International Skating Union (ISU) announced today the dates, locations and skater selections for the 2004-05 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series, which will begin with Smart Ones Skate America in Pittsburgh, Pa., Oct. 21-24. The U.S. will be represented in the Grand Prix Series by a total of 41 entries, including Michelle Kwan, who returns to the series for the first time since 2002.

I am so thrilled!
Is it October yet?

 

[Ogre Mage]

Thoughts on Ladies GP entries

No surprise on Arakawa getting NHK and CoR. One is her home country, the other the backyard of her coach. She is the only 2004 Worlds Medalist to do CoR -- and Moscow is the site of 05 Worlds.

Michelle returns to the GP and it's a rebaptism by fire with an extremely tough SA roster. Whoevers wins gets early season bragging rights. It will also be the first chance for many Americans to see Yukina Ota -- I hope they show her on TV. SC is a weaker field, but Michelle may be tired from just having done SA. GPF is in China this year and I suspect MK will get a warm welcome.

I think this is the first time Sasha has done CoC? Interesting to see what reaction she will get there. Ota will challenge her artistically, while Slutskaya and Ando will try to outjump her. Maybe even Jenny Kirk will pull togeter a strong skate. This could be an exciting event.

 

[registered]

Re: Thoughts on Ladies GP entries

Whoevers wins gets early season bragging rights.

I think this is the first time Sasha has done CoC? Interesting to see what reaction she will get there.

LOL about early season bragging rights, Ogre Mage!

Boo-hoo, Sasha's going to compete at COC for the first time! I hope she'll like it there.

 

[Antilles]

Interesting that Japan seems to have moved up in the schedule. Good for them. it seems they often get shafted when skaters have enough points, and then seem to opt out of this event.

I'm also interested in how they choose who goes to what event. It appears the host country gets to invite more of it's own skaters (ie three Cdn men at Skate Canada), but that seems unfair to countries that don't get to host a GP event.

I also thought Tamura had retired. Guess he changed his mind.

Are Lefebvre and Markov not eligible for GP? I thought they were this year, just not for ISU championships.

It's also interesting to see that once again, N&K and D&S will go head to head before the GPF.

 

[bronxgirl]

OK, dumb question time. Just because the assignments are posted, does this mean that these skaters are committed to skating at these events? I think I remember that one year Michelle skated at Skate America as a last minute replacement since somone had pulled out (I don't know if it was due to injury or not - or I could have misrecalled the event completely...)

 

[Antilles]

I think they can still pull out. There's probably a time limit for it, though. Anyone know for sure? Injuries/illness will obviously lead to some not competing.

 

[mike79]

I can't believe that Joannie didn't get a spot for Skate Canada. The rest of the lineup looks great.

 

[hockeyfan228]

I'm not surprised about Sasha. On her website she wrote that she felt she competed too much and wore herself out. By the end of GP she wasn't doing as well.

I'm glad that she stuck to it when making her decision.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Again......

Anyone know how the skaters are picked? Worlds, Host Country, any other reasons?

Anyone know how the assignments are divied up. Some skaters have a choice? others do not?

Does the ISU limit the number of skaters from each country?

Of course, the selection of skaters is definitely with a Federation.

Joe