And extra days did need to be added so that Nats could take place safely at the Orleans.
"Championship-level competition will take place from Jan. 11–17, 2021, and junior-level competition from Jan. 19–21, 2021."
ETA:
With the side effect of an extended number of days in the bubble for coaches who have both senior and junior competitors.
But I am very much in favor of doing things safely, so it will be for the greater good.
I will be curious to see whether USFS will stick with the existing plan for the size of the Senior Men/Ladies fields -- or will make the fields slightly smaller, in order to not let the number of people (skaters + coaches) in the bubble get too large.
ETA:
And in order to not let practice sessions and competition sessions get too long.
Fields of 24 would be double the size of those for Skate America.
As of
Aug 25, the plan for 2021 Nats had been:
Senior Men/Ladies: for each, up to 24
Senior Dance: up to 18 couples
Senior Pairs: up to 18 pairs
Junior Men/Ladies: for each, 12 junior + 6 novice competing as junior
Junior Dance: 12 couples
Junior Pairs: 12 pairs
Because 2021 Championship Series will be virtual, the previously announced TES minimums for 2021 Nats no longer are in effect.
Realistically, Senior Dance and Senior Pairs will have fewer than 18 entries each.
I think that Novice singles will no longer have any chance of advancing to Junior competition at Nats?
Per
previous announcement, only Seniors and Juniors will have virtual Championship Series before January. Novice/Intermediate/Juvenile Championship Series (or equivalent) will happen later.