Great skaters who never made a world team

[aussieSKATES]

I was fortunate enough to attend the 1994 US Championships in Detroit, and a week later, the 1994 Canadian Championships in Edmonton.

One skater who really caught my attention was Tanya Bingert. She had huge jumps which carried a great deal of distance, and her short program from the event is a personal favourite.

Enjoy.

https://youtu.be/SGPkJBPLmd8

 

[Ananas Astra]

Alexander Uspenski. He was one of the most promising Russian juniors ever back in the days but had tons of bad luck with injuries and was very inconsistent.

 

[Winnipeg]

Is there such a thing as a great skater who never went to Worlds?

 

[Winnipeg]

Actually, I recall reading an article that referenced an American ladies skater who was identified as being great with lots of potential but then was in a car wreck and the injuries precluded her advancement

 

[patinage]

Yukina Ota

 

[gk_891]

I was fortunate enough to attend the 1994 US Championships in Detroit, and a week later, the 1994 Canadian Championships in Edmonton.

One skater who really caught my attention was Tanya Bingert. She had huge jumps which carried a great deal of distance, and her short program from the event is a personal favourite.

Enjoy.

https://youtu.be/SGPkJBPLmd8

I once read that Bingert finished 3rd at the 1992 Canadian nationals, just missing out on an Olympic and World spot. But apparently she, Chouinard, and Preston all split the first place ordinals. Tough way to lose out that way.

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

Is there such a thing as a great skater who never went to Worlds?

Of course there is.

 

[gk_891]

Yukina Ota

I didn't care for Yukina back when she competed. I have a better appreciation for her style and grace now though. She could be beautiful to watch.

 

[Ka3sha]

Konstantin Menshov

 

[Ananas Astra]

Rohene Ward didn't even make the team ever IIRC.

 

[SkateGuard]

Geoffrey Hall-Say and Andreas Krogh, who won Olympic medals in 1908 and 1920, never competed at the World Championships. I'll be featuring both of their stories in a future Skate Guard blog.

 

[Areski]

What is the best or your favourite Russian lady skater who never made a World team?

 

[falling_dance]

^ Best? I dunno. Favorite? Maria Stavitskaia.

Actually, I recall reading an article that referenced an American ladies skater who was identified as being great with lots of potential but then was in a car wreck and the injuries precluded her advancement

Jill Sawyer, the 1978 World Junior Champion.

Sandy Lenz was a wonderful stylist who placed in the top ten at Lake Placid but never received a World team assignment.

 

[Meoima]

What is the best or your favourite Russian lady skater who never made a World team?

There will be a long list....

 

[Cleo1782]

Rohene Ward didn't even make the team ever IIRC.

Rohene never even made the top 10 at nationals in Senior......

ETA-Agnes Zawadski was 3rd at Nationals for a few years when we had two spots and once we got 3 she never made a team. Not my favorite, but kind of a bummer. Also it's a shame Caroline Zhang never made a world team with her young promise. There is honestly so many.......

 

[Cleo1782]

Actually, I recall reading an article that referenced an American ladies skater who was identified as being great with lots of potential but then was in a car wreck and the injuries precluded her advancement

I know the article you are talking about. Carlo said she would have won Worlds and the Olympics. She was the most talented skater that never was. Very interesting story.
Cindy Bortz was another talented US Junior World Champion who went nowhere after growing. I also like Jeri Campbell and more recently Katy Taylor and Christina Gao.

 

[Maximillian]

Jeri Campbell was terrific, great spinner but had problems with injuries. Olympic and World alternate in 1988.

 

[Cleo1782]

Jeri Campbell was terrific, great spinner but had problems with injuries. Olympic and World alternate in 1988.

Yeah but she did get a second life in the pro circuit even in the mid 90's...

Also going into pairs the Stieglers.....shame they never made it to worlds.

 

[Vagabond]

Is there such a thing as a great skater who never went to Worlds?

Jackson Haines and Mabel Fairbanks immediately spring to mind.

Neither Alois Lutz nor Bruce Mapes ever competed at Worlds, and where would the sport be without them?

 

[bardtoob]

Mabel Fairbanks immediately spring to mind.

Agreed. Mabel was brilliant, and in ice shows she was told to scale back her content as to not show up the headliner.

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

^ Best? I dunno. Favorite? Maria Stavitskaia

Apparently she has switched to dance now.

 

[tony]

Rohene Ward didn't even make the team ever IIRC.

Rohene's highest finish was 14th and only competed internationally one time. I think a lot of people will remember that there was a lot of press around him at 2006 Nationals (or at least ABC/ESPN) and I believe the story was that his family couldn't afford to attend the event, someone pitched in and they were able to see the LP, and he had a huge meltdown that dropped him from the top 10 to last place. The details may not be exact, but I remember the skate.

Glad to see he's so successful these days.

ETA: Actually - here it is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eck09NPwYjk

 

[Cleo1782]

Rohene's highest finish was 14th and only competed internationally one time. I think a lot of people will remember that there was a lot of press around him at 2006 Nationals (or at least ABC/ESPN) and I believe the story was that his family couldn't afford to attend the event, someone pitched in and they were able to see the LP, and he had a huge meltdown that dropped him from the top 10 to last place. The details may not be exact, but I remember the skate.

Glad to see he's so successful these days.

ETA: Actually - here it is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eck09NPwYjk

I was there. I remember that clearly. He looked so good in practice. There was always so much buzz around him. I remember thinking he could legitimately contend for at least a top 6 spot, but his meltdowns were pretty epic.

 

[Ananas Astra]

Alexander Shubin is another World Junior Champion who has never made the Senior team.
I don't think Adian Pitkeev has been to Worlds?

 

[Jeschke]

Caroline Zhang

 

[Jeschke]

Pairs:
Anastasia Martiusheva

 

[Maximillian]

Caroline Zhang

It's still possible...

 

[rfisher]

It's still possible...

Only in @Jeschke's mind.

 

[Jeschke]

It's still possible...

Only in @Jeschke's mind.

#teamzhang until the bitter end!

 

[Loves_Shizuka]

I don't think Adian Pitkeev has been to Worlds?

Correct.

Was 7th at Euros.

2nd at Junior Worlds.

But indeed, no senior worlds