Navarro and Bommentre Announce Retirement from Competitive Figure Skating

[OlieRow]

Definitely not a surprise, but still sad to see this thread. I know they weren't the kind of team that'd come out and blow you away with insane level 4 elements, but they never failed to put a smile on my face. They stayed true to themselves and it was always obvious they took great pride in their skating and the programs they put out on the ice. I'll definitely miss NavBoms, they're one of the reasons I've come to love ice dance.

[shan]

I've always enjoyed the spirit of their programs. My FD of theirs is the Beatles one from several years ago. They will be missed next season!

[plushenkofan]

Not surprised, but what I'll miss is the fact they've had a connection with the audience that other teams don't have.

[Twizzler]

I have to respectfully disagree. IMHO they continued to choose music and programs that were innovative and challenging, and which pushed them stylistically. As opposed to coming out season after season in Edward-Scissorhands-couture shredded costumes and writhing around to yet another shrieky faux-opera piece, which many of their contemporaries seemed happy to do and were rewarded for

^^ This

Thank you Kim & Brent for 5 seasons of beautiful dancing and heartfelt programs. So happy to hear that they will continue to skate together and they are not breaking up! Wishing them the best of luck- whatever the future holds!!!

[UMBS Go Blue]

that we won't see more of N/B as competitors

But to them continuing to skate in shows, and to them in their future endeavors!

[freezin'rinkmom]

:-(

[Carmen Ovsiannikov]

Not really. I really like them and they seem like great people, but I never felt they were particularly screwed over. They plateaued on their technical abilities, and pretty much admitted that they were just going to continue to do comfortable exhibition style FDs rather than push themselves to evolve stylistically/choreographically. They were pretty much doing the same lifts for the last 3-4 seasons. I think they did as well as can be expected, and they seemed content simply doing programs they enjoyed. So, good for them.

However, they absolutely stole the show at 2006 Nationals. Kim was rocking the Bestemianova hair and he was totally . Definitely their best year.

For me I feel that 05/06 and 07/08 are tied as their best years. My two absolute favorite NavBoms FD's are the Michael Buble and Corinne Bailey Rae programs.

Even though I already knew that Kim and Brent were done with eligible competition after this season, it is sad to finally see it stated officially. I'll miss them at Nationals.

I have to respectfully disagree. IMHO they continued to choose music and programs that were innovative and challenging, and which pushed them stylistically. As opposed to coming out season after season in Edward-Scissorhands-couture shredded costumes and writhing around to yet another shrieky faux-opera piece, which many of their contemporaries seemed happy to do and were rewarded for

I like the fact that everyone isn't doing the same programs. Watching the dance competition at Worlds this year I actually found myself a bit bored with icedancing (something I thought would never happen).
So many teams did the Adagio or Requiem type programs.

IMO there is nothing wrong with a good void except when done by teams who can't really sell that style. Voidy doesn't work for everyone whether the judges are open to that style or not.

Back to NavBoms, I have wondered from time to time about their technical level. Are Kim and Brent truly not capable of adding more difficulty to their programs or were they just stubborn about the type of skaters they wanted to be and the types of programs they chose to present? Part of me feels that NavBoms can do better. Would they have ever reached the level of a DenStavs? Probably not but I never felt they couldn't have improved enough to have truly challenged a team like S&B.

[casken]

I wasn't talking about being "voidy" or the music choices.

I was talking about the content and originality of the choreography and connecting movement.

[Carmen Ovsiannikov]

I get you. In that respect it seems there are only a handful (maybe not even that many) of dance teams left who bother to do more than connect the elements. And the new rules aren't exactly encouraging the remaining teams to make the effort. Actually I wonder if the rules for next season will hamper teams like the Kerr's and P&B from being as creative as they have been in the past.

Icedancing may start to look like the singles and even pair events.

It makes me miss teams such as DenStavs and DelShoes even moreso.

[Ziggy]

Icedancing may start to look like the singles and even pair events.

I think it already does.

It makes me miss teams such as DenStavs and DelShoes even moreso.

Word.

[Finnice]

I get you. In that respect it seems there are only a handful (maybe not even that many) of dance teams left who bother to do more than connect the elements. And the new rules aren't exactly encouraging the remaining teams to make the effort. Actually I wonder if the rules for next season will hamper teams like the Kerr's and P&B from being as creative as they have been in the past.

Icedancing may start to look like the singles and even pair events.

It makes me miss teams such as DenStavs and DelShoes even moreso.

I share your worries, Carmen. Ice dance should be about originality and creativity, not just doing the required moves with an uplifting smile on your face.

[snoopysnake]

I always looked forward to seeing their routines each year. I'm glad they had a chance to go to Worlds, at least.

Now snoopysnake needs a new Redwood Empire Ice Arena alum to root for!

()"o )))))))))))))))))))))))))):-<

[vivika1982]

I get you. In that respect it seems there are only a handful (maybe not even that many) of dance teams left who bother to do more than connect the elements. And the new rules aren't exactly encouraging the remaining teams to make the effort. Actually I wonder if the rules for next season will hamper teams like the Kerr's and P&B from being as creative as they have been in the past.

Icedancing may start to look like the singles and even pair events.

It makes me miss teams such as DenStavs and DelShoes even moreso.

True words . Besides Kerrs and P/B , NavBoms were the next highlight i was looking for the next season.Wish them well and hoping to see more of them in shows.

[blue_idealist]

I'm glad they're still going to skate professionally!!

They remind me of Bourne and Kraatz in a way. Loved by audiences, but never really got the goods people generally thought they deserved from the judges.

[Debbie S]

More on their pro plans: http://web.icenetwork.com/news/artic...&vkey=ice_news

"We got offered one of the lead adagio roles in Holiday on Ice, touring mostly France and Germany, which I know is a big honor for a dance team," Navarro, 29, said.

......

The tour, choreographed by Karen Kresge, begins September 17th and runs through May 2011. Rehearsals start in Amsterdam in August.

So it sound like they'll be out of the country for a while (although they will do the shows in Sun Valley before they leave). I was hoping they'd be on some of the Disson shows in the fall. Oh well, thrilled for them that they can finally earn some money.

[Carmen Ovsiannikov]

I'm very happy for Kim and Brent that they've already got jobs lined up but like you Debbie, I was hoping they would get invited to do at least a couple of the Disson shows. In the past I haven't really been into the Disson programs (due to a combination of format and not really being crazy about many of the musical acts) but with Belgosto and NavBoms having exited the eligible ranks I was actually looking forward to the shows this fall.

It does seem that for many pro skaters, especially those who aren't big names with multiples titles or at least world medals the touring scene in Russia, Europe and even Asia (if you score an invite) is more lucrative and those countries still do invite teams who didn't become huge names as eligible competitors.

I think it's time for me to pull out some old competition tapes. Even from a couple of years ago I could see a difference. Next season is going to feel strange.

[AJ Skatefan]

Waaa, I want to see them in Holiday on Ice!

[KayMil01]

I'll miss NavBoms