So my question is, can a skater do a sequence without calling it a sequence and just get high GOE on both jumps - or does the technical caller immediately deem any two jumps with sequence-qualifying steps between them a sequence?
I think the callers will call what they see, according to the rules.
So if it meets the definition of a sequence, they'll call it as a sequence. They can't know what the skater intends. Planned program content sheets don't override what the skater actually does on the ice, because skaters are allowed to change their layout from what they submitted in advance.
The reason why it's usually more valuable to do the jumps in sequence than as two isolated jumps is because that leaves open another jumping pass that the skater can fill with another jump for more points.
With something like 4T+3A+Seq, however, the loss of points to the sequence multiplier is likely to be more than the value of a double axel, if the skater has used up all the triples that could be repeated, or a repeat triple if available.
In your example, he could avoid the 3Lz+2T being invalidated by just leaving the 2T off the second lutz because the first one was also in combination so a solo 3Lz would also be a valid element. And then he has an extra slot open that could be used for a double axel or other double jump.
If the skater can do two difficult jumps in close proximity and wants to use them as solo jumps each with high GOE and then also include 3 combos/sequences elsewhere in the program, then my advice would be to put in a few more steps between the two jumps so it becomes clear that there is no intention of meeting the definition of a jump sequence.
As long as both jumps and the steps in between are executed cleanly and clearly, they should be able to get the scores they want.
With jump sequences, there is always a risk that a mistake on the first and extra steps fumbling to get into the second will mean that the element will be called as the first jump +Seq with 80% base value and no credit at all for the second jump.
That could also be a risk with two intended solo jumps in close proximity linked by steps.
High reward if the effort is successful, potential significant loss of points if fumbled and called according to what the caller sees.
