US Team: 4CCs and Worlds (updated)

[stella luna]

THe Sixers were my childhood team (having grown up in Philadelphia area), so it saddens me they're doing terribly. They are 17-28, 12th in an already weak Eastern Conference. Noah's New York Knicks is one spot up, with 21-27 record.

I can relate. I'm an Oklahoma City Thunder fan, and our sixth man broke his arm and is out indefinitely because he got angry during a game and punched his chair.

 

[Skater Boy]

Scimeca and Knierim are such unknowns. I am very sorry for her illness this year but are they ready to skate top 15 or so in the Worlds. After watching Europeans and knowing what the Chinese bring in pairs, I'm thinking it will be difficult for the Americans to place high. I hope I'm wrong.

They could be top 5 depending on how well they recover and if others mess up but yes, they could be out of top 10 or even in 15th. I know there is the creative usa rules for selection but it seems to me a team that isn't even in the top 8 at worlds, hasn't skated this year,should not be allowed to go to worlds - at least they should have waited to see how they did at 4cc's. It seemed in the past petitioning skaters were world class, medal threats who had skated part of the year usually ie Kerrigan or Kwan. Not some team out of the first two tiers. Nothing agains sk/k. I think they were very lucky. And others not so lucky. Mind you I am never in favour of formed teams where one or bot seem to be shopping for nation to send them to worlds and the olympics ie Reeds et al. But life isn't fair and fairness is all in the eye of the beholder.

It isn't logical thinking but I think Sk/K get to go while kavaguti and smirnov who rushed to come back aren't even close and they have gone through much more than the Americans. Then you have nagasu who doesnt' get to go and even Gracie well she at least skated this year and was 4th in the world in the competitive ladies event last year.

 

[Moxiejan]

It isn't logical thinking but I think Sk/K get to go while kavaguti and smirnov who rushed to come back aren't even close and they have gone through much more than the Americans.

Different countries, different scenarios. No logic involved.

In the case of the U.S., the choices for world team other than S-K/K are;

Denney/Frazier: No Worlds or 4CC experience; she's still nursing her injury.
Castelli/Tran: No Worlds experience; poor Grand Prix results; no improvement in jumps over last season.
Cain/LeDuc: No Worlds or Grand Prix experience; very new pair with just moderate Senior B results.

Really, what else could USFSA have done? By naming S-K/K to Worlds, they are indicating their preference so that it is known to all involved, instead of keeping people in suspense or weeks, But if S-K/K don't perform well at 4CCs (or in monitoring after that), they certainly can be replaced at Worlds.

 

[Mrs. P]

Different countries, different scenarios. No logic involved.

In the case of the U.S., the choices for world team other than S-K/K are;

Denney/Frazier: No Worlds or 4CC experience; she's still nursing her injury.
Castelli/Tran: No Worlds experience; poor Grand Prix results; no improvement in jumps over last season.
Cain/LeDuc: No Worlds or Grand Prix experience; very new pair with just moderate Senior B results.

Really, what else could USFSA have done? By naming S-K/K to Worlds, they are indicating their preference so that it is known to all involved, instead of keeping people in suspense or weeks, But if S-K/K don't perform well at 4CCs (or in monitoring after that), they certainly can be replaced at Worlds.

Modest correction, RE: Denney/Frazier. They competed at Worlds (12th) and 4CC (7th)in 2015. They also competed in 4CC (4th) in 2014 due to the Olympics (i.e. the top two teams opted not to attend).

You point still stands though.

 

[Moxiejan]

Thanks for the correction. I was looking at last year & not previous years.
And, of course, they are indeed on the 4CC and Worlds teams this year.

 

[skylark]

I don't really have a strong opinion about it. I'm just trying to guess reasonably what could have contributed to the decision. The only thing I can think of is that Cain/LeDuc had shown consistent-but-steady progress all season long while Castelli/Tran has sort of been muddling in the same place for a few years.

Agree. I also think it reflects a judgement by the committee that they want Cain/LeDuc to get international exposure this year, to improve their reputation in case they make the Olympic team next year. Whereas 4cc or Worlds for Castelli/Tran isn't going to help US chances for 2018. Unless one thinks that C/T could work a miracle so that they help D/F or Sk/K earn 3 spots to the Olympics.

I've never been C/T enthusiastic fan, but I wish them well. They've been disappointing, though. Cain/LeDuc OTOH have excitement going for them. Plus, they value their on-ice connection; they're a true pair, in my opinion.

 

[skatemouse]

The US has a strong team. I am not so sure I agree though about sending SK/K. I do like them but they haven't competed all year and it seems unfair that the others have competed all year olong and now this team, unproven this year, gets to go and the didn't even place in the top 8 last year.

That's a little unfair. They have not been beaten by any US team this year either so they still hold the number record and they competed until April 2016 correct? So when you say year your meaning is not the annual year but the skating season which for a team like SK/K is very very long..almost so long it goes into the other year which it did,

That said they still hold the record number wise in combined scores and were ranked 5th in the World. So it is worth a shot. They are the best team and have shown they are the best team the last three years so it is not like it is a one year thing they have proven themselves.
They have earned a chance.

 

[skatemouse]

I agree! After watching the European pairs I think Marissa and Mervin are the only ones with the potential to come anywhere near to the Europeans! I know the SBS jumps are a problem. But the twists, throws and lifts are getting-to-be magnificent but they need some competitive miles. I can understand 4CCs since everyone is so gah-gah about seeing the Olympic venue but Denny and Frazier and Castelli and Tran are the only 2 pairs that can maintain 2 spots and should be going to Worlds. I'm afraid that the US is doomed to one spot after Worlds.

Had SK/K been at Nationals they would have had their title back with a watered down skate. It was pretty obvious.
Since whenever Sk/K have been competing at Worlds not sure when the first time was 2014? Marrisa and any partner has NEVER beaten them. When they first got together in a matter of months they were placing and beating S/K of Russia at competitions after just months together. They have gone every time to Worlds and placed higher than other US teams even the Champs (when not them). they are the only team to have beaten S/K of Russia and also the first place/second place team at Europeans (in short specifically). They have beaten both of them? So what does that mean? It means that they are capable of scoring high at World's. SO your words although dramatic are totally false. I have read this thread and am pretty sick by what some have said about this team whom have come through surgeries of feet and now stomachs and are not only still together but hold the record in the highest scores Internationally from 2016. They are extraordinary and although they may need time it is not unlikely they will not have a perfect program and even so they place well. There is something about them. They are not just beautiful but have an energy that is contagious and power. I am anxious to see how much they have grown artistically. They still hold all the records and are ranked higher still World wise than any other team. Again they deserve a shot and to be supported. This over drama noise is kind of ridiculous. doomed? Really? C/T although a good team cannot touch Sk/K at all. They just don't have the look. They have had their FS for two years which helps them with consistency but not with excitement and I am afraid that hurt them at Nationals. It shows no growth to reach for something new. Hopefully they will do that for the new season and reach more. It would be good but they need to stay and train in the US not in Canada. Time will tell. For C/T to just by three years be getting to have good lifts, twist, and throws? Time for a come to Jesus meeting. That's all I'm saying. I think D/F although shaky are use to fighting. Sk/K have beaten the top two teams at Europeans So give them a chance. I myself am not expecting perfection but that is why there is 4CC. I do however think C/T should have been 1s Alternate at Worlds. Also did not Sk/K place second and were put aside for D/C one year from Nationals for a World's spot? but then ended up going to that Worlds? Everyone has their time. Let's see what happens. Yes I obviously like this team always have but I like D/F and C/T as well.

 

[Skater Boy]

That's a little unfair. They have not been beaten by any US team this year either so they still hold the number record and they competed until April 2016 correct? So when you say year your meaning is not the annual year but the skating season which for a team like SK/K is very very long..almost so long it goes into the other year which it did,

That said they still hold the record number wise in combined scores and were ranked 5th in the World. So it is worth a shot. They are the best team and have shown they are the best team the last three years so it is not like it is a one year thing they have proven themselves.
They have earned a chance.

Like I said fair is in the eye of the beholder. yes they haven't been beaten but they haven't beaten anyone - cause they haven't skated lol. We don't know how they would do as they haven't skated. I assume the American judges would hold them up at nats somewhat regardless.

 

[bobbob]

Is there any chance we can get three spots with Sk/K and D/F? Probably not. Those two seem like reasonably strong teams, although there is so much competition....2 chinese, 3 russian, 2-3 canadian, S/M, French pair, ...

 

[JustMe]

Is there any chance we can get three spots with Sk/K and D/F? Probably not. Those two seem like reasonably strong teams, although there is so much competition....2 chinese, 3 russian, 2-3 canadian, S/M, French pair, ...

If (and this is a big if), all pairs skate relatively clean (all the above teams, plus the 2 Italian pairs, Duskova/Bidar if they are competing, and the American pairs), where do you think the judges would place SK/K & D/F? In this field, are the American teams strong enough for top ten placements? I know it's a big hypothetical to imagine all pairs skating cleanly, but I'm simply interested in gaging how skating fans view SK/K & D/F realistic chances against an relatively "clean" international field.

 

[skylark]

Had SK/K been at Nationals they would have had their title back with a watered down skate. It was pretty obvious.
Since whenever Sk/K have been competing at Worlds not sure when the first time was 2014? Marrisa and any partner has NEVER beaten them. When they first got together in a matter of months they were placing and beating S/K of Russia at competitions after just months together. They have gone every time to Worlds and placed higher than other US teams even the Champs (when not them). they are the only team to have beaten S/K of Russia and also the first place/second place team at Europeans (in short specifically). They have beaten both of them? So what does that mean? It means that they are capable of scoring high at World's. SO your words although dramatic are totally false. I have read this thread and am pretty sick by what some have said about this team whom have come through surgeries of feet and now stomachs and are not only still together but hold the record in the highest scores Internationally from 2016. They are extraordinary and although they may need time it is not unlikely they will not have a perfect program and even so they place well. There is something about them. They are not just beautiful but have an energy that is contagious and power. I am anxious to see how much they have grown artistically. They still hold all the records and are ranked higher still World wise than any other team. Again they deserve a shot and to be supported. This over drama noise is kind of ridiculous. doomed? Really? C/T although a good team cannot touch Sk/K at all. They just don't have the look. They have had their FS for two years which helps them with consistency but not with excitement and I am afraid that hurt them at Nationals. It shows no growth to reach for something new. Hopefully they will do that for the new season and reach more. It would be good but they need to stay and train in the US not in Canada. Time will tell. For C/T to just by three years be getting to have good lifts, twist, and throws? Time for a come to Jesus meeting. That's all I'm saying. I think D/F although shaky are use to fighting. Sk/K have beaten the top two teams at Europeans So give them a chance. I myself am not expecting perfection but that is why there is 4CC. I do however think C/T should have been 1s Alternate at Worlds. Also did not Sk/K place second and were put aside for D/C one year from Nationals for a World's spot? but then ended up going to that Worlds? Everyone has their time. Let's see what happens. Yes I obviously like this team always have but I like D/F and C/T as well.

No, I think you're talking about Zhang/Bartholomay in 2014. Z/B went to Olympics, D/C assigned to Worlds but got injured, so Z/B as first alternates went to Worlds as well.

I really appreciate your reminding us that Alexa and Chris bested Stolbova/Klimov. For some reason, it seems many people on the forum get so invested in the momentum of the GP to nationals to Europeans to 4cc season that the longer term results seem to get forgotten. Not that the seasonal momentum isn't important, but it isn't everything.

Denney/Frazier have also bested both Tarasova/Morozov and James/Cipres, when they won silver at 2016 SA.

 

[skylark]

Quote Originally Posted by bobbob View Post
Is there any chance we can get three spots with Sk/K and D/F? Probably not. Those two seem like reasonably strong teams, although there is so much competition....2 chinese, 3 russian, 2-3 canadian, S/M, French pair, ...

If (and this is a big if), all pairs skate relatively clean (all the above teams, plus the 2 Italian pairs, Duskova/Bidar if they are competing, and the American pairs), where do you think the judges would place SK/K & D/F? In this field, are the American teams strong enough for top ten placements? I know it's a big hypothetical to imagine all pairs skating cleanly, but I'm simply interested in gaging how skating fans view SK/K & D/F realistic chances against an relatively "clean" international field.

Well, I'll play your game, but the hypothetical with all competitors skating clean has never made much sense to me. Has that ever happened in a competition? Figure skating doesn't generally work that way. Also, there's plenty of room in FS programs and competitions for an unpredictable, inexplicable Moment of Magic. That's part of the appeal.

Having said this, the following list reflects my more objective observations combined with a large dose of optimism and hope:

Yu/Zhang
Savchenko/Massot
Duhamel/Radford
Stolbova/Klimov
Tarasova/Morozov
Scimeca-Knierim/Knierim
Denney/Frazier
James/Cipres
Peng/Jin
Marchei/Hotarek
Duskova/Bidar
Moore-Towers/Marinaro
Ilush/Moskovitch

Denney/Frazier beat both James/Cipres and Tarasova/Morozov at 2016 SA. I know those two teams have momentum in their favor now, but SA was still an international competition. I'm thinking S/M, D/R, S/Klimov, and T/M will be held up. 4CC could add to that list. I actually believe a clean SK/K (with their gorgeous 4twist) and a clean D/F (with their program, connection, and transcendent quality) could beat T/M, but I realize T/M's record this year is a huge factor in their favor. The "politics" factor isn't an area of great interest to me. And, as you may have noticed, my hoped-for placements put the two US teams in 6th and 7th, and earning 3 place for next year....

 

[JustMe]

Well, I'll play your game, but the hypothetical with all competitors skating clean has never made much sense to me. Has that ever happened in a competition? Figure skating doesn't generally work that way. Also, there's plenty of room in FS programs and competitions for an unpredictable, inexplicable Moment of Magic. That's part of the appeal.

Having said this, the following list reflects my more objective observations combined with a large dose of optimism and hope:
[/SIZE]

Thanks for indulging me! I used this hypothetical question, not as a means of predicting results (clearly, the ice and the judges are very slippery, etc, etc), but like I said, I'm simply trying to get a sense of how fans perceive and compare SK/K & D/F to the other teams--and of course an ounce or two of nationalistic boost is to be expected, lol, no shame in that (but 3 or 4 ounces might defeat the purpose of my question, lol) :agree:

 

[skatemouse]

No, I think you're talking about Zhang/Bartholomay in 2014. Z/B went to Olympics, D/C assigned to Worlds but got injured, so Z/B as first alternates went to Worlds as well.

I really appreciate your reminding us that Alexa and Chris bested Stolbova/Klimov. For some reason, it seems many people on the forum get so invested in the momentum of the GP to nationals to Europeans to 4cc season that the longer term results seem to get forgotten. Not that the seasonal momentum isn't important, but it isn't everything.

Denney/Frazier have also bested both Tarasova/Morozov and James/Cipres, when they won silver at 2016 SA.

Yes you are right about D/F I had remembered that and it is something that others forget. Here is the story. Sk/K got the silver but D/C were given the BYe to Worlds as Sk/K ere a brand new team. Sk/K had to keep training and before I think the week before D/C declined Worlds as they were just not ready or John not healed yet. I think Sappenfield coached both teams so as I remember it she kept both teams training to their best and when it was for sure that D/C could not make Worlds Sk/K got their shot after only 11 months together and since then have been blowing doors off beating top teams and skating well they continued.

They are a pretty incredible team. I think time and more pressure was hard to deal with but if you watch their early videos they did not miss their side by sides almost ever. It was when the pressure hit. (this is my opinion it may have been injury? growth? who knows?) It takes time. AS they got better artistically and upped their technical and have dealt with the pressure the side by sides got less consistent as they were adding so much but also were having injuries as Chris foot break and surgeries and Alexa's surgeries. Finally at their now fourth year together? or almost 5th year? They are at a sweet point finally. Being married now and still competing. Very exciting as they have upped the technical difficulty again. Artistry new choreographer ??no idea what they are going to look like but I can imagine. Now they are healthy not even 5 years together. I think they still have pressure but are also the underdogs. So I expect them to blow doors again but I understand it is asking a lot and they still need time.

Even though Sk/K after the fast first season together and only months together qualified for Worlds and earned the min. D/C were granted the petition over them but ended up not being ready and sk/k went. Time and a season. It is their time now.


"I know the outcome I desire," Coughlin posted. "I hold fast to my dreams. I stay the course and do not quit."

Sappenfield confirmed that Denney and Coughlin hoped to compete at the 2013 World Championships in London, Ontario, March 10-17 -- about 3 1/2 months after surgery to repair a torn labrum in his hip.

"He is actually three weeks ahead of plan, as far as his rehab goes. He is doing extremely, extremely well, so we are very optimistic of his chances of getting back where he was," she said.

"We have, under the rules of U.S. Figure Skating, petitioned for worlds. His doctors and physical therapists and I, we all feel he would be capable of getting ready for worlds, so we have set a plan to do so. It's pretty much up to the [international selection] committee when they vote for the selection of skaters for worlds."


http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130117&content_id=41001090&vkey=ice_news

 

[SnowWhite]

If (and this is a big if), all pairs skate relatively clean (all the above teams, plus the 2 Italian pairs, Duskova/Bidar if they are competing, and the American pairs), where do you think the judges would place SK/K & D/F? In this field, are the American teams strong enough for top ten placements? I know it's a big hypothetical to imagine all pairs skating cleanly, but I'm simply interested in gaging how skating fans view SK/K & D/F realistic chances against an relatively "clean" international field.

I'll give it a try looking at season/personal bests because I don't know all the teams equally well and that is somewhat like a clean field.

Going purely on SBs (and this isn't what I'm predicting or anything)

We have:
1 227.58 Evgenia TARASOVA / Vladimir MOROZOV
2 222.35 Aliona SAVCHENKO / Bruno MASSOT
3 220.02 Vanessa JAMES / Morgan CIPRES
4 218.30 Meagan DUHAMEL / Eric RADFORD
5 216.51 Ksenia STOLBOVA / Fedor KLIMOV
6 208.30 Julianne SEGUIN / Charlie BILODEAU
7 206.71 Xiaoyu YU / Hao ZHANG
8 200.75 Natalia ZABIIAKO / Alexander ENBERT
9 197.96 Cheng PENG / Yang JIN
10 192.65 Haven DENNEY / Brandon FRAZIER
11 191.93 Valentina MARCHEI / Ondrej HOTAREK
12 191.54 Liubov ILYUSHECHKINA / Dylan MOSCOVITCH
13 189.09 Anna DUSKOVA / Martin BIDAR
17 185.18 Nicole DELLA MONICA / Matteo GUARISE ** The teams in between are more russian and chinese pairs

Since SK/K haven't competed this season, I'll use theirs from last season: 207.96 Alexa SCIMECA / Chris KNIERIM, which would be the seventh highest score this year.
Only other thing about the list is that Seguin and Bilodeau are on there even though she has a concussion. They were named to the 4CC and World teams, but if they aren't ready (you never know with concussions), it'll be MT/M for Canada instead. They don't have international results from this season yet and I know how national scores can be, so their SB from last season is 190.90, which would have them 13th, though some people who follow pairs more than I do think they've improved so who knows.

So going purely by SB scores, if Seguin and Bilodeau do compete, SK/K would finish 7th and D/F would finish 10th. If it's MT/M instead, SK/K would be 6th and D/F would be 9th. Neither scenario would have the USA getting 3 spots, especially given that SK/K haven't competed all season, so expecting something around that personal best might be a bit soon.

 

[Skater Boy]

I have to admit the American choices are interesting. As I said fairness is in the eye of the beholder and in some cases who you like or support. With Sk/K inclusion to both worlds and 4ccs one wonders if Gracie should have not competed at all this year and then sought a spot to worlds? As we all know it doesn't much to say you need time off for work because of "stress". I remember a competitor at a local competition who competed at a different time because he had other stuff to do or another sport. And of course as luck would have it he earned the last spot on the team. The issue was whether Billy should be disqualified as he was not competing with everyone else when they competed. was it fair as you didn't have the stresses of competing against your fellow competitiors etc. Yes, Sk/K have not loss to other Americans this year but they haven't won either. At least Gracie put herself out there. Maybe Kavaguti and Smirnov if Russia had similar rules shouldn't have skated so soon after injury and rested and maybe be given a shot to go to Euros and or worlds. I know there are no guarantees. i understand it was a legit injury of course but I am not sure this is a very fair process. Not sending CT because they probably can't go to Olympics seems anti American almost. I don't think SB will compete; Canada could lose its current three spots. The odds are D and R won't be first. They will need someone in 8th or so. Not sending Mirai for example this year or in 2014 or CT this year or Zhou can lead to some times huge unfairness or disparities or "bad luck situations. Case in point. Mirai not only didn't go to the 2014 olympics but watched her replacement get an olympic bronze not to mention money and fame.

 

[karne]

Not sending Mirai for example this year or in 2014 or CT this year or Zhou can lead to some times huge unfairness or disparities or "bad luck situations. Case in point. Mirai not only didn't go to the 2014 olympics but watched her replacement get an olympic bronze not to mention money and fame.

Then maybe Mirai should have performed better during the season and rotated her jumps. Mirai was not the only skater who was heartbroken at 2014 Nats but at least SHE knew that her replacement would give her all and do well. Another did not have that reassurance.

Zhou does not have the technical minimums for Worlds and there is no guarantee he will get them. Yes, he has the tech to, but that does not guarantee he will. Ice is slippery and he still has to earn them in competition!

 

[skylark]

The way you worded your sentence in the post I quoted was this:

Also did not Sk/K place second and were put aside for D/C one year from Nationals for a World's spot? but then ended up going to that Worlds?

.... which exactly describes the situation of Zhang/Bartholomay in 2014. With the addition that Z/B went to the Olympics. I wasn't following figure skating closely in 2013. Your filling in of the 2013 story made me feel a little worse for Denney and Coughlin, although I was very glad Z/B got to go to the Olympics. (And I recall comments from an IN story about D/C 2014 when a commenter lamented and asked why D/C had such bad luck? The next answering comment was a one-word zinger: Karma.

Haven and Brandon are also a pretty incredible team, for entirely different reasons. I'm really looking forward to seeing these two pair teams at 4CC and worlds.

Yes you are right about D/F I had remembered that and it is something that others forget. Here is the story. Sk/K got the silver but D/C were given the BYe to Worlds as Sk/K ere a brand new team. Sk/K had to keep training and before I think the week before D/C declined Worlds as they were just not ready or John not healed yet. I think Sappenfield coached both teams so as I remember it she kept both teams training to their best and when it was for sure that D/C could not make Worlds Sk/K got their shot after only 11 months together and since then have been blowing doors off beating top teams and skating well they continued.

They are a pretty incredible team. I think time and more pressure was hard to deal with but if you watch their early videos they did not miss their side by sides almost ever. It was when the pressure hit. (this is my opinion it may have been injury? growth? who knows?) It takes time. AS they got better artistically and upped their technical and have dealt with the pressure the side by sides got less consistent as they were adding so much but also were having injuries as Chris foot break and surgeries and Alexa's surgeries. Finally at their now fourth year together? or almost 5th year? They are at a sweet point finally. Being married now and still competing. Very exciting as they have upped the technical difficulty again. Artistry new choreographer ??no idea what they are going to look like but I can imagine. Now they are healthy not even 5 years together. I think they still have pressure but are also the underdogs. So I expect them to blow doors again but I understand it is asking a lot and they still need time.

Even though Sk/K after the fast first season together and only months together qualified for Worlds and earned the min. D/C were granted the petition over them but ended up not being ready and sk/k went. Time and a season. It is their time now.


"I know the outcome I desire," Coughlin posted. "I hold fast to my dreams. I stay the course and do not quit."

Sappenfield confirmed that Denney and Coughlin hoped to compete at the 2013 World Championships in London, Ontario, March 10-17 -- about 3 1/2 months after surgery to repair a torn labrum in his hip.

"He is actually three weeks ahead of plan, as far as his rehab goes. He is doing extremely, extremely well, so we are very optimistic of his chances of getting back where he was," she said.

"We have, under the rules of U.S. Figure Skating, petitioned for worlds. His doctors and physical therapists and I, we all feel he would be capable of getting ready for worlds, so we have set a plan to do so. It's pretty much up to the [international selection] committee when they vote for the selection of skaters for worlds."


http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130117&content_id=41001090&vkey=ice_news

 

[skatemouse]

I have to admit the American choices are interesting. As I said fairness is in the eye of the beholder and in some cases who you like or support. With Sk/K inclusion to both worlds and 4ccs one wonders if Gracie should have not competed at all this year and then sought a spot to worlds? As we all know it doesn't much to say you need time off for work because of "stress". I remember a competitor at a local competition who competed at a different time because he had other stuff to do or another sport. And of course as luck would have it he earned the last spot on the team. The issue was whether Billy should be disqualified as he was not competing with everyone else when they competed. was it fair as you didn't have the stresses of competing against your fellow competitiors etc. Yes, Sk/K have not loss to other Americans this year but they haven't won either. At least Gracie put herself out there. Maybe Kavaguti and Smirnov if Russia had similar rules shouldn't have skated so soon after injury and rested and maybe be given a shot to go to Euros and or worlds. I know there are no guarantees. i understand it was a legit injury of course but I am not sure this is a very fair process. Not sending CT because they probably can't go to Olympics seems anti American almost. I don't think SB will compete; Canada could lose its current three spots. The odds are D and R won't be first. They will need someone in 8th or so. Not sending Mirai for example this year or in 2014 or CT this year or Zhou can lead to some times huge unfairness or disparities or "bad luck situations. Case in point. Mirai not only didn't go to the 2014 olympics but watched her replacement get an olympic bronze not to mention money and fame.

Just to clarify Sk/K were not injured. Alexa was sick for months and skated through it at several competitions according to their article. As they skated up until April 2016? which to me as a lay person is not only sucking it up and skating through a sickness but they really had some success during the same year the new season supposedly started. During this time which again went until almost half the year in 2016. In my opinion makes the season into the next season the length is ridiculous as then the team is expected to be ready in 1 month for the next season one month?? lol but yes my belief. After this diagnosis and sickness sk had surgery and then was well just had lost training time which maybe would not have happened had the season actually ended after Worlds as it use to years ago. I find that so frustrating but understand that it effects almost all the skaters. It is an interesting disadvantage or advantage depending how the team or single skater plays their cards I guess. Is this why Ashley never does 4CC's? Or some skaters drop out of so many events at the end /beginning of next season? There is no time anymore for a vaca or a break. It is a different World for sure.