I can sympathize with the sentiment that we shouldn't diminish the merits or accomplishments of great players just because the audition they won may have had some irregularities. Nonetheless, it seems obvious at this point that Santa Fe Opera is refusing to invite highly qualified players just so that their preferred candidate can compete in a smaller field. A winner of an unfair audition can still be a good person and a good player, that shouldn't shield the committee from our judgment. Frankly, public shaming is the one of the best tools we've got for getting orchestras and committees with shady practices to change their ways.
I'm told Alex Bickard won this one. I think he was acting in the position previously.