Why does Kimmie Meissner only skate in skate america and the Trophée Eric Bompard for 2007? Why does Johnny Weir only skate in the Cup of China and Cup of Russia for 2007? etc...

How are skaters assigned to specific events?

Skaters are assigned events by their home skating federation. In the US, that is United States Figure Skating, or USFS. Skaters may compete in up to 3 events, but only the first two count for ''points'' towards qualifying for the Grand Prix Final.

Well, the average a skater enters a grand prix event is two times out of the five or six that r offered. They r chosen by their world rankings, & if the skaters from world rankings r high, then the country is allowed to enter a maximum of three skaters, & etc.

As for the how skaters r chosen, a country (specifically the skating union of a country) decides on which skaters (depending on their world rankings & placement at last year is worlds & etc.) r going to skate in which two events. After this is done, this is submitted to the ISU, where it is verified. No other countries know which skaters r being sent to which events so the competition is fair for all skaters.

Hope that helps!

l am guessing the USFSA decides which events their skaters attend. the decision may be based on geographical location (aka johnny weir - russia and china are close geogrpahically)