Post-Worlds Retirements

[judgejudy27]

Poor Miki Ando, not only does she have a creepy older coach/boyfriend but she has a crazy stalker fan in Lainerb.

Pashafan I actually do like Pechalat & Bourzat alot and was very dissapointed when they fell and gave away a certain medal this year. I just cant see them ever overtaking teams like V&M or D&W at this point though. Those teams were already over them at their debut Worlds 4 years ago, are much younger, and P&B even with their recent improvements have made no inroads on either since, except for D/W briefly in the 07-08 season but that seems an eternity ago now. I do agree D&W are overmarked on PCS though. I dont think they in anyway merit the highest PCS but that is just me. Technically they are so much stronger than P&B though I couldnt see P&B ever beating them even with PCS marked very differently. And V&M are just superior all the way around.

I do hope they can atleast hold off the younger couples next year and medal at home. That would be a great way to end (likely) their careers.

[Ziggy]

Sorry to interrupt this lovely discussion but I think haribobo was asking about skaters who are actually retiring after this season.

So far the only ones who are 100% confirmed are:

Sinead Kerr/John Kerr
Federica Faiella/Massimo Scali

Alissa Czisny has now said she will stay at least one more season.

Daisuke Takahashi said he's going to continue skating until Sochi.

If anybody hears of any other confirmed retirements, please post here.

Wasn't the panel of judges primarily European?

Maybe the panels of judges just prefer clean execution more now? (Back in the late 1990 it was pretty clear that the panels of judges valued speed and edging in the compulsory dances more than exactly correct steps, so perhaps this is another shift.)

D/W skated a weak SD, with a mistake on the twizzles.

They weren't marked down for it, though, and in general their SD marks seemed based on reputation alone.

I'd definitely have them outside the top 3 in the SD.

No complaints about the FD result, though. They were clearly top of the field. My GOE and PCS marks would be way lower but I'd definitely have them first.

(PashaFan talked about P/B being better in the SD hence my comments)

[wonderlen]

Or who is the prettiest. I pick Korpi!

Haha yeah...it will be beauty peagent on ice...

[MikiAndoFan#1]

Poor Miki Ando, not only does she have a creepy older coach/boyfriend but she has a crazy stalker fan in Lainerb.

You are saying that because you know you were wrong about Miki. Grow up.

[olympic]

Sorry to interrupt this lovely discussion but I think haribobo was asking about skaters who are actually retiring after this season.

So far the only ones who are 100% confirmed are:

Sinead Kerr/John Kerr
Federica Faiella/Massimo Scali

Alissa Czisny has now said she will stay at least one more season.

Daisuke Takahashi said he's going to continue skating until Sochi.

If anybody hears of any other confirmed retirements, please post here.



D/W skated a weak SD, with a mistake on the twizzles.

They weren't marked down for it, though, and in general their SD marks seemed based on reputation alone.

I'd definitely have them outside the top 3 in the SD.

No complaints about the FD result, though. They were clearly top of the field. My GOE and PCS marks would be way lower but I'd definitely have them first.

(PashaFan talked about P/B being better in the SD hence my comments)

The following skaters would probably be closest to retirement, but possibly not. Have any stated their plans??? I added my guesses based on statements in other threads over the past few months-

1. Joubert - I think will retire after '12 Worlds?
2. Ando - ?
3. Kostner - ?
4. Flatt - Supposedly skating no GP next year, but will skate at US Nats?
5. Verner - ?
6. Pang / Tong - taking '11 - '12 season off and continuing -or- retiring?
7. Zhang / Zhang - injured but returning?
8. Bradley - retiring
9. Kim - continuing, but not skating the GP next year a la Kwan? retiring soon?
10. Abbott - committed to '11 - '12 season, but retiring after?
11. Evora / Ladwig - He will be 31 next year. Any word on their plans [haven't seen them mentioned]

Thanks for any info on them and anyone else...

[wonderlen]

Miki Ando did so well this year mostly by just how poor the ladies event was this year. It wasnt any drastic improvement in her performances. She wouldnt have won any major title since...well probably the year Jill Trenary won with her performancesto win Worlds this year, and she wouldnt have medalled in Vancouver either with her performances to win Worlds this year . Imagine putting Ando from Moscow vs Kim of Vancouver or even Asada of Turin last year, what a blowout that would be. Credit her for taking advantage of how things were though.

Well to be honest, Miki both SP+LP are just plain bad. SP was awful, and lets be honest, no skater will be able to pull of Cleopatra theme program. Even if you are Michelle or Yuna. If her jumps are as sharp as this year with her Samson Deliah SP and Carmen LP. she can fight for the bronze at least.

[Proustable]

Miki has stated "with confidence" that she'd skate until Sochi.

[PashaFan]

Well to be honest, Miki both SP+LP are just plain bad. SP was awful, and lets be honest, no skater will be able to pull of Cleopatra theme program. Even if you are Michelle or Yuna. If her jumps are as sharp as this year with her Samson Deliah SP and Carmen LP. she can fight for the bronze at least.

I really liked Miki's short programme this year !. I thought Yuna's SP & LP were below par. Nothing special unlike last year.
I can't believe the negativity towards Miki. I've been a fan of hers since the 2003 junior world's & think despite her nerves she has had a wonderful career.
I really hope she continues.
If you want bland watch Rachel Flatt. She has always skated through not to her music & like Meryl Davis looks completely bored & fed up.

[Stephanie]

The following skaters would probably be closest to retirement, but possibly not. Have any stated their plans??? I added my guesses based on statements in other threads over the past few months-

11. Evora / Ladwig - He will be 31 next year. Any word on their plans [haven't seen them mentioned]

Thanks for any info on them and anyone else...

Evora/Ladwig stated (around 4CCs IIRC) that they plan to compete next season. I believe they're taking it year by year.

[Aceon6]

First official post Worlds split: Coughlin and Yankowskas

[PashaFan]

First official post Worlds split: Coughlin and Yankowskas

That's a shock. I think she is a star. Kinda reminds me of Julia Obertas. I hope she finds a worthy partner.

[Ziggy]

First official post Worlds split: Coughlin and Yankowskas

They're both supposed to continue skating though (well John isn't sure yet but he's rumoured to partner with Denney).

[Loves_Shizuka]

Anissina was an introvert? Really? T/D I can buy, but A/P never really struck me like that. I'd argue that Tessa and Scott are more introverted than they are.

I think what hurt Pechelat/Bourzat in the past was that they were just wierd.

What on earth is wrong with weird?!

I agree re: A/P though. No way were they "introvert" ... where on earth did anyone get that idea from?! And to be honest, I don't really class D/W or V/M as being particularly "extrovert." They are good performers, yes, but that's different. Maybe Charlie is...maybe. When I think extrovert I think of those who really stamp their own personality on a programme, whatever that programme may be... for example, ladies like Babsi F-P, Navka, Grishuk. I don't think of D/W or V/M in those terms... not that that's a bad thing. Just my two cents.

[mia joy]

for example, ladies like Babsi F-P, Navka, Grishuk.

well, if being extrovert means being like Fusar-Poli and Navka, I'm all for introvert skaters

[Loves_Shizuka]

^To be fair, so am I... I didn't say it was always a good thing.

[deedeelocks]

5. Verner - ?

continues until Sochi if his health permits.

[inthemiddle]

... Meryl Davis looks completely bored & fed up.

I am not sure if I understand. Do you think Meryl always looks bored and fed up?

[AxelAnnie]

Sorry to interrupt this lovely discussion

So far the only ones who are 100% confirmed are:


Alissa Czisny has now said she will stay at least one more season.

Oh - be still my heart! Where did you find this information. I am so excited for her (and me).

[Loves_Shizuka]

^It was in the worlds threads. She'd told people before worlds apparently, but asked it to be kept secret until the competition was over.

[Proustable]

What on earth is wrong with weird?!

I agree re: A/P though. No way were they "introvert" ... where on earth did anyone get that idea from?! And to be honest, I don't really class D/W or V/M as being particularly "extrovert." They are good performers, yes, but that's different. Maybe Charlie is...maybe. When I think extrovert I think of those who really stamp their own personality on a programme, whatever that programme may be... for example, ladies like Babsi F-P, Navka, Grishuk. I don't think of D/W or V/M in those terms... not that that's a bad thing. Just my two cents.

Nothing really wrong with it, but wierd means harder to wrap your mind around, easier to dismiss, harder to like/love/enjoy.