Keeping track of official retirements & skaters not competing in 2018-19 as well as notable coaching changes & team splits

[Sylvia]

Jackie Wong is updating here: http://www.rockerskating.com/news/2...ts-coaching-changes-music-selections-and-more

ETA:

Daisuke Murakami announced his retirement via his YouTube channel (Japanese article published today): https://www.nikkansports.com/sports/news/201806140000601.html

@Dobre is maintaining a list of new teams/splits/retirements/coaching news/etc. in The Dance Hall 2018-19 thread - latest update is here: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...rockers-2018-2019.103823/page-15#post-5373895

Official retirement press release links via Skate Canada:
Patrick Chan (April 16)
Meagan Duhamel & Eric Radford (April 25)
Dylan Moscovitch (April 10)
Liam Firus (May 14)
Elladj Baldé (May 4)

Also:
NBC Sports' Olympic Talk article: Max Aaron retires from figure skating (April 20)
Article excerpts re. USA's Alex Benoit's decision to retire are in this post: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...ason-news-updates.101390/page-27#post-5342446

Skate Canada: Kaetlyn Osmond to skip ISU Grand Prix events (June 4)
U.S. Figure Skating: Maia and Alex Shibutani To Sit Out 2018-19 Season (April 12)

 

[3T3T]

I didn’t realise Misha Ge had retired. I will miss his skating, I really came to enjoy his skating since Sochi and was delighted to see him medal in a GP last season. Wishing him a happy retirement, I’m sure he will be in demand for his choreography.

I’m getting a bit bored of all the teams moving to Montreal. Each couple doing the same routine over and over. It really is the dominant style now, hope there is room for them all on the ice.

 

[Enchanted]

Sort of sad to see Olsson on the list. This was my favourite program of hers. It was very entertaining.

 

[Sylvia]

Cross-posting from the OAS thread in GSD...

Sad news about Singapore's (Jessica) Shuran Yu : https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/...gure-skating-champion-yu-shuran-retires-at-17

Singapore's first SEA Games winter sports champion Yu Shuran has retired from competitive figure skating at age 17 due to medical reasons.
...
"I finally had the difficult conversation with my federation, and as of now I am officially retired from competitive skating."
Shuran won gold at last year's SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, the first time winter sports featured at the biennial Games.
She also last year became the first Singaporean to qualify for the World Figure Skating Championships in Helsinki in March 2017.

"Skating has brought me some incredibly difficult challenges. I had no idea how it would force me to grow in so many ways but it has always been worth it. I want to say to all young athletes that I know there are times when you may be exhausted, or in a lot of pain, or burnt out and questioning all your sacrifices, but I promise that each and every challenge can be conquered.
"I am not sure yet the exact ways I can continue to be a part of this sport but I know that I want to contribute as much as possible for as long as possible. Being an athlete has been all I've ever known but I'm excited for the opportunity to take on other roles. I would love to help out kids back in Singapore to develop their talent.
"Unfortunately, I have not been on the ice since I got sick but I plan to try skating again very soon. I am not sure what I will be able to handle, but if possible, I would love to coach."

 

[Enchanted]

Cross-posting from the OAS thread in GSD...

Sad news about Singapore's (Jessica) Shuran Yu : https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/...gure-skating-champion-yu-shuran-retires-at-17

That’s sad. It’s always sad to see skaters leaving the sport for medical reasons. I hope it is not as serious as it sounds.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Jackie Wong is updating here: http://www.rockerskating.com/news/2...ts-coaching-changes-music-selections-and-more

Sad to see both of those French Dance teams retire. I was hoping for so much more from both of them..... Was it the plastic stars?

And no more Liebers?

Was there ever an official reason or what has been happening to Zijun Li?

 

[RoseRed]

Sad to see both of those French Dance teams retire. I was hoping for so much more from both of them..... Was it the plastic stars?

And no more Liebers?

Was there ever an official reason or what has been happening to Zijun Li?

Do you mean Abachkina/Thauron and Alessandrini/Souquet? They split. Only Alessandrini has retired. I believe that Souquet has a new partnership with Julia Wagret for France. And IIRC Thauron is now with Adelina Galayavieva, also for France. And there are rumours that Abachkina is now with Alexey Shchepetov, again competing for France. I don't think that's confirmed though.

 

[Dobre]

And there are rumours that Abachkina is now with Alexey Shchepetov, again competing for France. I don't think that's confirmed though.

She posted this, for anyone who missed it.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjfHVHvDKcO/?hl=it&taken-by=icesmurfette

 

[el henry]

She posted this, for anyone who missed it.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjfHVHvDKcO/?hl=it&taken-by=icesmurfette

Well, I have no idea who that is, (I wouldn't know it's Angelique without this thread) but I did notice it was at IceWorks, Aston. Has she always trained there? ETA: And why is the ad on the Boards for 2015 Nats? I'm so confused

 

[Dobre]

Well, I have no idea who that is, (I wouldn't know it's Angelique without this thread) but I did notice it was at IceWorks, Aston. Has she always trained there? ETA: And why is the ad on the Boards for 2015 Nats? I'm so confused

This is Alexey Shchepytov from 2017 U.S. Junior Nationals.
http://www.twofortheice.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/FD-Lydia-Erdman-Alexey-Shchepetov-02-FD.png

He is the one she is reported to be skating with and there's no clear discrepancy. It's been a year since he competed, and her photo is not a picture of his face so if someone thinks it's someone else, feel free to enlighten us. But she is off Ice Partner Search. And his club back in 2017 was listed as being in Philadelphia.

I don't know. I'd put two & two together and say it's probably him.

I've only seen Shchepytov skate the one time at Nationals, and honestly what I remember is how wonderful Lydia Erdman's wild hair was for their "Mess Around" SD.

Abachkina has been with Shpilband for at least the last several seasons. (I'd assume she still is unless we hear otherwise).

 

[el henry]

whole post

Thanks for the info. I wasn’t trying to be argumentative (for once in my life) but really did not know.

And if they want to compete for France, Vincent Restencourt is at that rink, although I assume not coaching ice dancing

 

[nimi]

Posted this in the Chinese thread but relevant also here... We thought Han Yan already retired but looks like that's not the case? (source)

In today's livestream, Han Yan announces that he has joined in Pang/Tong's skating club. He will do the coaching job and train at same time. He will work for 2022 Olympic, if he has the chance.

No idea whether he's intending to compete in GP this autumn, though. (ETA: He's guaranteed one based on his SB, see this post.)

 

[livetoskate]

Also, Takahito Mura announced his retirement in March.
Anne Line Gjersen of Norway recently announced her retirement this month.

 

[Sylvia]

Thanks - adding their respective GSD news thread links:

Also, Takahito Mura announced his retirement in March.

https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/takahito-mura-retires.103641/

Anne Line Gjersen of Norway recently announced her retirement this month

https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/anne-line-gjersem-retiring.104015/

 

[rinkside]

This is Alexey Shchepytov from 2017 U.S. Junior Nationals.
http://www.twofortheice.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/FD-Lydia-Erdman-Alexey-Shchepetov-02-FD.png

He is the one she is reported to be skating with and there's no clear discrepancy. It's been a year since he competed, and her photo is not a picture of his face so if someone thinks it's someone else, feel free to enlighten us. But she is off Ice Partner Search. And his club back in 2017 was listed as being in Philadelphia.

I don't know. I'd put two & two together and say it's probably him.

I've only seen Shchepytov skate the one time at Nationals, and honestly what I remember is how wonderful Lydia Erdman's wild hair was for their "Mess Around" SD.

Abachkina has been with Shpilband for at least the last several seasons. (I'd assume she still is unless we hear otherwise).

She is skating with Shecheytov and has been for sometime. The are training with his coach. I don't know why there has been no official announcement. He has had foot or ankle problems in the past.

 

[Sylvia]

Confirmed not competing on Grand Prix via their own words (Javi's agent spoke for him):

Javier Fernandez (currently listed for Japan Open in Oct., may be at 2019 Euros): https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2018/06/19/javier-fernandez-figure-skating-retire/

Weaver/Poje (will join the Thank You Canada tour this fall; aiming to return at 2019 Canadians) - Skate Canada press release: https://skatecanada.ca/2018/06/kaitlyn-weaver-andrew-poje-to-sit-out-isu-grand-prix-events/

Have until Sept. 1st to decide if they want to take their automatic bye to 2019 Nationals:
Mirai Nagasu: https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2018/06/27/mirai-nagasu-figure-skating/
Ashley Wagner: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bkk5YcDHGwz/?taken-by=ashwagner2010
Adam Rippon (back on June 8 said he will “probably not” compete again and is definitely sitting out the fall Grand Prix figure skating season."): https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2018/06/08/adam-rippon-figure-skating-retire/

Marchei/Hotarek (Valentina's IG): https://www.instagram.com/p/Bknh8MmgRIu/?taken-by=valemarchei14

 

[hanca]

Season is nearly finished. Should we make a new thread for the next season, or should we continue with this thread?

 

[Sylvia]

Should we make a new thread for the next season

This thread is being updated in GSD: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/tired-retired-or-full-steam-ahead-2019-20.105487/

 

[hanca]

This thread is being updated in GSD: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/tired-retired-or-full-steam-ahead-2019-20.105487/

Thank you, Sylvia. Somehow I missed this new thread.