Chris Knierim to retire - Alexa to seek new partner

[personwhoishere]

Knierims’ Bond Even Stronger as Chris Steps Away from Skating - U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone

In the Knierims' love story, this is merely another chapter, hardly an end.

usfigureskatingfanzone.com

Effective immediately - citing his depression and a series of injuries.
They won't be going to Worlds.

This of course means Calalang and Johnson are headed to Montreal - that announcement here:

Jessica Calalang and Brian Johnson Added to U.S. World Team - U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone

Jessica Calalang and Brian Johnson will represent Team USA at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2020 next month, U.S. Figure Skating announced Wednesday.

usfigureskatingfanzone.com

 

[quartz]

Someone gave Chris a sock!!

 

[MsZem]

Personally I feel like the title of this thread should be "Knierims Split (but only on the ice)".

Good luck to them in their future endeavors.

 

[GarrAargHrumph]

I hope Chris is able to recover from his depression, and wish him the best in what he does next.

 

[heartyxo]

PLOT TWIST

They’ve achieved a ton though and they should be very proud especially after everything they’ve been through. The best pair the US has had in a long time.

Alexa is an amazing skater and I hope she finds a great partner and more success!

I’m excited for Jess and Brian going to worlds- I feel like they’re the future top US pair like the Knierims have been.

 

[Rukia]

I'm actually incredibly shocked and also not really. This honestly seems like the best thing for them, and I sincerely hope Chris continues to get better mentally and physically.

 

[antmanb]

Wow I was shocked.

 

[Wyliefan]

Didn't see that coming. Best wishes to them both. It takes a lot of guts to try something like this.

 

[LeafOnTheWind]

I am surprised they didn't finish out the season but if Chris was struggling that badly it sounds like this should have happened sooner. Glad they had their good skate at Nationals and best wishes for them.

 

[Colonel Green]

There’d been a lot of discussion about Chris’ status for a while now. I’m sad to hear that depression was a big factor in his recent problems, and hope that retiring will help things get better.

Who’s available for Alexa?

 

[euterpe]

I had a feeling things would turn out this way. Chris seemed worn out and tired of performing.
I'm thrilled for Jessica and Brian. They should have been the first choice for Worlds anyway.

 

[Lizziebeth]

Wow. I hope Chris is OK, that is a lot to deal with. But from what I read, he is doing the right thing for them.

 

[skatesindreams]

I hope Chris is able to recover from his depression, and wish him the best in what he does next.

As do I.

 

[mattiecat13]

Good for Chris. I've felt for the last couple of seasons he was only skating because Alexa wanted it so much. I'm glad he (and Alexa) are putting his health and happiness first.

 

[meggonzo]

Who’s available for Alexa?

Harley Windsor if she wants to skate for Australia
I thought Ernie Stevens still wanted to find a partner?
Did TJ Nyman get a new partner yet?

 

[Stefanie]

I am surprised they didn't finish out the season but if Chris was struggling that badly it sounds like this should have happened sooner. Glad they had their good skate at Nationals and best wishes for them.

I am surprised they didn't just skate the LP at 4CC then. Why fly all the way out there to just do the short program? Why not withdraw beforehand?

Best of luck to both of them!

 

[LeafOnTheWind]

I think Chris' depression answers that question. He just hit a wall after the SP. It had to be a tough choice for him to try to continue to skate for Alexa.

 

[oleada]

Well, I’m sorry to hear that Chris is struggling with depression. I hope he can get help and stepping away from the sport helps him if he feels that’s what he needs.

Alexa is an amazing skater and I hope she can find a good partner.

 

[love skating]

I'm so sad to hear of Chris' struggles with depression. I sure hope he gets the help he needs. Depression is awful. When you're in the pit of it it's like this black cloud over you. Many with depression can't even get out of bed so I can see how he wouldn't want to continue with the competition. Good for Alexa for being so supportive - what a difficult situation for her to be in. Glad they had their At Last moment at Nationals and hope she can find a great partner cause she's so talented! I wish them both only the best in the future!

 

[mjb52]

It's sad news, the best to both of them.

 

[sk9tingfan]

At Nationals, you could see it in his face. He just didn't have the wherewithal or faith to believe the scores they received. I think that perhaps all he could think was, a gift.

 

[Carolla5501]

I know she wants to make the 2022 Olympic team but I feel like it’s a incredible long shot. That’s less than 2 years to pull a team together

 

[Garden Kitty]

I admire Chris for being open about depression as well as his physical injuries. More athletes are willing to talk about their struggles and I think that makes it easier for other people to seek help and to realize they're not alone. Best wishes to them both and I'm glad they had their National moment in their final season.

 

[GarrAargHrumph]

I know she wants to make the 2022 Olympic team but I feel like it’s a incredible long shot. That’s less than 2 years to pull a team together

I think she can do it, if she finds someone with strong, high level pairs experience, with no citizenship issues, and who meshes with her, style-wise. She's a very strong pairs skater, and I think she'll have the ability to try out with some really strong pairs men. Including some who may not appear to be available at the moment.

 

[Carolla5501]

I think she can do it, if she finds someone with strong, high level pairs experience, with no citizenship issues, and who meshes with her, style-wise.

in other words a unicorn

 

[PRlady]

Not shocked. I joked about him looking like he was going to the dentist at Nats but now I feel sorry for it, he clearly is seriously depressed.

For me, the worst thing in life is being stuck in something I've already moved on from, so props to Chris. He's still so young, I hope he finds his passion elsewhere.

As for Alexa, good partners are hard to find but maybe with her track record she'll get lucky, she certainly has a lot of talent.

 

[MsZem]

in other words a unicorn

Aljona found one. And it's not like Alexa is aiming for an individual OGM.

 

[Prancer]

I know she wants to make the 2022 Olympic team but I feel like it’s a incredible long shot. That’s less than 2 years to pull a team together

Well, it IS US pairs we are talking about here.

 

[FigsVideo]

https://youtu.be/ujJ3o8dcs6w

 

[casken]

Mervin Tran's next partner?