USFSA Four Continents Assignments

[Pepe Nero]

Anyone know anything about why Alissa Czisny is not assigned to Four Continents? I'm just curious, even though I think it could be for the best. Perhaps she was offered a spot but declined? (But, in that case, wouldn't she first have been named to the team anyway, subsequently declining the offer?)

Just to clarify, I'm wondering if anyone has any insight about this. I'm less interested in opinions about why she may not have deserved it.

 

[chuckm]

She may have been asked but declined. I don't think USFS would have named her to the team if she didn't want to go.

 

[Mrs. P]

She may have been asked but declined. I don't think USFS would have named her to the team if she didn't want to go.

Nope. According to this post on the USFSA selections thread over on the U.S. Nationals subforum:

Alissa Czisny did not decline a bid to 4CC, she was not given one in the first place. According to Jeremy Ten's twitter, "Alissa just informed me that she didn't get selected for 4CC. My entire day is ruined. Sad.com/unfair."

So USFS gave Alissa, Agnes, and Caroline each one slot at the major Internationals. Why, who knows? Perhaps they thought Alissa was still slightly injured from GPF and wanted to give her some more rest before Worlds.

 

[chuckm]

It's probably the idea of 'spreading the wealth'. Alissa doesn't need 4CC points if she's going to Worlds (you can count only one ISU Championship). Right now, she's #6 on the ISU World Standings list and therefore is guaranteed to be in the last two flights for the SP.

OTOH, Agnes (#23) and Caroline (#25) are on the bubble and could use the 4CC points to keep them in the top 24 so that they each have a better shot at getting two GP events. Wagner is #29 and definitely needs help to ensure she doesn't wind up out of the last two flights for the SP. That would seriously imperil her chances to score well.

BTW, Alissa isn't the only one 'left out'. Last season, Dornbush and Miner were NOT sent to 4CC even though they placed 1-2 at Nationals. Instead, USFS sent Abbott, Mahbanoozadeh and Rippon.

 

[skatinginbc]

Oh, poor girl. Her entire day was ruined. But I kind of think that not attending 4CC might be a good thing. She has had some poor showings recently. Another shortly will make it a streak. Is she recovering from an injury or something? Anyway, getting some time to gather herself is to her advantage in my mind. If she thinks that way, she may feel better about USFSA's decision.

 

[PolymerBob]

Of course, somebody else didn't get a 4CC assignment.

http://skatingmagazineblog.com/2011/12/20/rachael-flatt-45-feet-tall

 

[brightphoton]

Of course, somebody else didn't get a 4CC assignment.

http://skatingmagazineblog.com/2011/12/20/rachael-flatt-45-feet-tall

: that's all sorts of awkward

 

[Pepe Nero]

Of course, somebody else didn't get a 4CC assignment.

http://skatingmagazineblog.com/2011/12/20/rachael-flatt-45-feet-tall

Yeah, that is embarrassing, both for Rachael Flatt and Colorado Springs. Oopsies!

Thanks, Mrs. P, for shedding light on the situation. Chuckm's reasoning seems right to me; Alissa has more to lose than gain by attending 4CC, while Ashley, Agnes, and Caroline all stand to gain a lot. Still, it seems a little insulting not to offer the spot to Alissa. I think the USFSA should display confidence in and support for the skaters it sends to Worlds.

 

[Jammers]

Doesn't look good when the USFSA doesn't send the 2nd place finisher to 4CC. Especially a former two time champion.

 

[tulosai]

Yeah, that is embarrassing, both for Rachael Flatt and Colorado Springs. Oopsies!

Thanks, Mrs. P, for shedding light on the situation. Chuckm's reasoning seems right to me; Alissa has more to lose than gain by attending 4CC, while Ashley, Agnes, and Caroline all stand to gain a lot. Still, it seems a little insulting not to offer the spot to Alissa. I think the USFSA should display confidence in and support for the skaters it sends to Worlds.

I mean honestly that is what strikes me- that not only did they not offer her the spot, she evidently had to find out from the press release just like us. I know USFSA is under no obligation to have called her or anything but I think it would have been nice if they had and said something like here is our thinking, sorry if this upsets you.

This is especially true because honestly, as wonderfully as Wagner has been skating, IMHO Alyssa is our only hope for a top 4 finish at Worlds this year.

 

[jaylee]

Alissa has never done well at 4CCs, even the one in 2007, which was in the US. In those three three appearances, which followed an impressive result at US Nationals, she was the lowest US finisher each time.

She was at the GPF, so she's already had three opportunities to show the international judges her programs, make an impression, and get feedback. She picked up two medals on the GP, so it's not like she desperately needs to go to 4CCs to prove herself. Considering her injury, it's better that she not compete and concentrate on Worlds. Ashley, Caroline, and Agnes all need this opportunity to compete more than Alissa.

 

[macy]

I mean honestly that is what strikes me- that not only did they not offer her the spot, she evidently had to find out from the press release just like us. I know USFSA is under no obligation to have called her or anything but I think it would have been nice if they had and said something like here is our thinking, sorry if this upsets you.

This is especially true because honestly, as wonderfully as Wagner has been skating, IMHO Alyssa is our only hope for a top 4 finish at Worlds this year.

It would have definitely been more polite if USFSA had called her or at least something. that's kinda rude. they should have at the very least done that. but i agree with others here that it might work to her advantage and i hope she sees it in that light. i also agree with your last statement...although wagner has had a good season as far as skating clean-ish programs, she doesn't get rewarded hugely in international competitions (this last GP series). the ISU does like alissa's skating, in my opinion, over ashley's. but i guess we'll see. i'm hoping alissa can put out two strong programs at worlds with the extra time to prepare.

as far as 4cc goes with rachael, i do feel bad for her in that respect...that straight up sucks. an embarrassment to her and CO springs. ouch.

 

[jaylee]

Also, I don't recall that the USFSA offered 4CCs to Richard Dornbush and Ross Miner last year. They just gave those 4CCs spots to Jeremy, Adam, and Armin.

There was one quiet remark that they were not offered a spot, and that was it.

 

[Mathman]

Oh, poor girl. Her entire day was ruined.

It was Jeremy Ten's day that was ruined. He's a big Alissa fan and friend.