Kostner considering quitting?

[Aussie Willy]

It would be disappointing to see her decide not to continue competition skating, like someone else, a purely selfish reason in that I really love her skating and what she does musically. Her SP last season was magnificent in terms of what she brought out with and did to that music.

But I can totally understand if she does decide to not continue.

[Mafke]

Unofficial word is that she's too disappointed in her 8th place finish here to go on....

http://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/showthread.php?t=84028

[love_skate2011]

^

were u serious ?

[Aussie Willy]

Unofficial word is that she's too disappointed in her 8th place finish here to go on....

http://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/showthread.php?t=84028

[briancoogaert]

Unofficial word is that she's too disappointed in her 8th place finish here to go on....

http://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/showthread.php?t=84028

I'm disappointed too !

[aftershocks]

...
From reading that IN article it almost sounds like Miki is being roped into competing...

That doesn't sound like someone who is committed to returning to competition for the right reasons...

Sad but probably true. I recall that Midori Ito very late in her career was also "forced" into competing again at Worlds, when she clearly appeared unhappy, uninspired, unmotivated, not in good form and obviously simply out there because she "had" to be for her country/ federation. That is why it was so wonderful to see Ito competing recently in the adult competitive ranks -- out there on the ice for the joy of it and for herself, and not carrying the burden of her country on her back.

Does the Japanese Fed think Suzuki's success is not enough, and that Mao's best days are over, and the up-and-comers are not ready?

ETA:
I'm more interested in seeing Kostner continue in the eligible ranks than I am in seeing Yu Na and Miki make half-hearted efforts to come back for purely "Fed needs me to" reasons (and maybe in Yu Na's case for pride and to see if she can further her "legacy" and Queenly status by trying to win another Olympic gold medal). I don't think that what Yu Na and Miki do should deter Kostner from returning -- she really made so many strides artistically in the last few seasons. But perhaps the physical and technical demands Caro feels may be too taxing. Caro said she's interested theatre and opera -- she certainly has the looks and performance ability to wow on stage. Does Caro have a great singing voice too?

[love_skate2011]

ETA:
I'm more interested in seeing Kostner continue in the eligible ranks than I am in seeing Yu Na and Miki make half-hearted efforts to come back for purely "Fed needs me to" reasons (and maybe in Yu Na's case for pride and to see if she can further her "legacy" and Queenly status by trying to win another Olympic gold medal). I don't think that what Yu Na and Miki do should deter Kostner from returning -- she really made so many strides artistically in the last few seasons. But perhaps the physical and technical demands Caro feels may be too taxing. Caro said she's interested theatre and opera -- she certainly has the looks and performance ability to wow on stage. Does Caro have a great singing voice too?

well better yet she should try the big screen. Kostner has the looks, imo

[lauravvv]

Caro said she's interested theatre and opera -- she certainly has the looks and performance ability to wow on stage. Does Caro have a great singing voice too?

I don't think she intends to actually sing in opera, or even perform on stage at all. It's very probable that she plans to be involved with theatre and opera in other ways. She is also talking about drawing/painting and designing in that first article, so it could be that she wants do stage or even costume design.

[DaiKozOda]

When she talks about opera I think she is mentioning this kind of stuff:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hM_BHC4hoPQ

[iggie]

When she talks about opera I think she is mentioning this kind of stuff:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hM_BHC4hoPQ

[museksk8r]

She by far has been my favorite lady actively competing in the eligible ranks since the conclusion of the 2010 season. Both in the 2011 and 2012 seasons, she was my gold medal favorite in every event she entered, so I will be extremely sad to see her leave competitive ice, but I do understand the temptation to do so if she feels she has accomplished all of her goals for herself. This sport is very taxing physically, mentally, emotionally, financially, and these athletes do sacrifice so much of their lives and time to be a part of it. Whatever is in store for Caro, I sincerely wish her all the best and she has been a true pleasure and inspiration to watch over the years of her long career! I hope I will be able to indulge in watching many of her show programs in the years to come!

[shuilee]

Good for Caro pulling a "Jill Trenary" and leaving the sport on a high. Similar to Trenary back in 1990, Carolina knows that her technical difficult won't be enough by time of the Olympics.

[briancoogaert]

Good for Caro pulling a "Jill Trenary" and leaving the sport on a high. Similar to Trenary back in 1990, Carolina knows that her technical difficult won't be enough by time of the Olympics.

IIRC, Jill was injured after her World title in 1990 and officially retired in October 1991.
Anyway, I see what you mean. The difference is that it would have been difficult for Jill to qualify for the Olympics, considering the high level of girls in the US in 1991-1992.
Although Carolina would probably have that spot for a 3rd Olympic experience

[essence_of_soy]

Kostner and Marchei can be proud for earning Italy 3 spots next season.

If Carolina does in fact retire, maybe the Italian federation could bribe Silvia Fontana and Vanessa Vanessa Giunchi back into competition somehow.

[kwanfan1818]

Giunchi really rocked the hair band.

[falling_dance]

Giunchi really rocked the hair band.

Truer words were never spoken.

[smarts1]

And that's all I'm saying. She has nice jumps, good speed and great energy...but her packaging is nothing short of a travesty. Awarding that kind of "choreography" and "interpretation" is going to run this sport right into the ground. That's why I was so appreciative of Carolina winning with two well done programs and also why I felt Akiko and Ashley should have placed higher.

Alena seems like a sweet girl and she's definitely talented, but her skating reminds me a lot of Irina Slutskaya. I respected the hell outta Irina for being a tough competitor, her longevity and her love of the sport...but her skating always left me feeling queasy too. I guess it's a matter of preference. I like the speed and power and all of that, but I prefer that ladies don't look like clunky unrefined tanks when they skate. That's just me though...

Leonova's LP at Worlds lacked any type of personality whatsoever, and that spunk is exactly what her fans like about her. But the skate she put out there was dead artististally. She was so focused on the jumps that everything else suffered. She was lucky she held under the pressure and landed the jumps when it mattered because we've seen her tank when it really counted. And I was that she pulled it together at 2012 Worlds. Akiko with the silver and Ashley with the bronze would have been a much better (and more well rounded) podium.

Anywho, does anybody else think that Carolina is just thinking of taking one season off and go for the 2013-2014 season instead?

[jiggs]

Anywho, does anybody else think that Carolina is just thinking of taking one season off and go for the 2013-2014 season instead?

As far as I can remember, Carolina has always said that if she retires, she wants to retire for real, and not come back after taking time off.

I think it will be either retirement or doing 2 full seasons till Sochi for her. I don't think she will do half-half.

[Ziggy]

Giunchi really rocked the hair band.

That Schindler's List FS performance.... Amazing.

Shame she never managed to get the 3flip and 3lutz.

Akiko with the silver and Ashley with the bronze would have been a much better (and more well rounded) podium.

I think that had Leonova's "programs" been judged appropriately on the PCS, that's what the podium would have been.

[caseyedwards]

Leonova's LP at Worlds lacked any type of personality whatsoever, and that spunk is exactly what her fans like about her. But the skate she put out there was dead artististally. She was so focused on the jumps that everything else suffered. She was lucky she held under the pressure and landed the jumps when it mattered because we've seen her tank when it really counted. And I was that she pulled it together at 2012 Worlds. Akiko with the silver and Ashley with the bronze would have been a much better (and more well rounded) podium.

Anywho, does anybody else think that Carolina is just thinking of taking one season off and go for the 2013-2014 season instead?

I liked a no "LOL look at me" non-personality, drama LP from Leonova.