Skater Retirements 2020

[hoptoad]

I think it's time to start a list of known retirements for this off-season. (yes, I'm calling it the off-season and looking forward to some kind of upcoming skating season.)

A few weeks ago, Jackie Wong said:

A potential side effect of #COVID19: Athletes realizing that they either love their sport too much to retire or that they have loved their break so much that they will retire.

Jackie Wong on Twitter

“A potential side effect of #COVID19: Athletes realizing that they either love their sport too much to retire or that they have loved their break so much that they will retire”

twitter.com

I certainly respect either decision.

So far we have:

Chris Kneirim
Charlie Bilodeau
Quinn Carpenter

 

[missing]

So far the list consists of men in team disciplines.

It will be interesting to see if it stays that way or if it's just coincidental.

 

[misskarne]

I think it counts as the off-season. Worlds is now officially cancelled so the season's done.

 

[hoptoad]

It seems natural to me that skaters who have a partner to consider would announce their decisions earlier, since they have to discuss programs and plans for the next season.

 

[skatingguy]

Should we be adding Haven Denney to this list?

 

[hoptoad]

Should we be adding Haven Denney to this list?

Not yet.

“I support Brandon and his decision to continue competitive skating with another partner,” Denney said. “I want Brandon to be able to reach his goals and full potential and I will support him no matter what. I’m still trying to figure out what’s next for me. I want to keep all my options opened, whether it be competitive or professional skating. I want to thank all the coaches that have supported us throughout the years."

 

[TAHbKA]

Still no mention of Suguri? Leonova?

 

[skatingguy]

Still no mention of Suguri? Leonova?

Only if you consider competing to essential to be an active skater.

 

[RoseRed]

Do Popova/Mozgov count? I can't remember exactly when they announced it. There's also Zabiiako/Enbert and Stolbova, but those might have been during the season too.

 

[Vagabond]

Still no mention of Suguri?

Shoudln't etiring from Adult Skating should be in another thread?

Leonova?

How dare you?!

Milan 2026 or bust!

 

[AxelAnnie]

So far the list consists of men in team disciplines.

It will be interesting to see if it stays that way or if it's just coincidental.

I have a feeling that men are the weaker sex. Just a theory.

And this is post 12,000!

 

[Sylvia]

Copying over from the OES News thread...

2018 Czech Olympic pair skater Anna Dušková (also the 2016 World Junior champion with Martin Bidař) posted her retirement announcement on her Instagram today:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CB0wDRlpUnl/
She is currently studying medicine at Charles University in Prague.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Quinn Carpenter

WHAT??????

When? Why? Where? How??

I know I havent been day drinking this long....

He is SUCH a hottie!!!

He is done????????????

Why? When? Where? How?

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Charlie Bilodeau

What??????

Why??? When?? How???

Him and Luba are done now too????????

I know I havent been day drinking this long????

Have I?

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Still no mention of Suguri?

OK, Stoppppp.. I havent been day drinking for 15 years....

Have I?

 

[Wyliefan]

Quinn and Charlie both announced their retirements in April.

 

[Vagabond]

I know I havent been day drinking this long????

Have I?

OK, Stoppppp.. I havent been day drinking for 15 years....

Have I?

 

[insideedgeua]

What??????

Why??? When?? How???

Him and Luba are done now too????????

I know I havent been day drinking this long????

Have I?

Don’t worry, it was news to Lubov too.

 

[Sylvia]

Do Popova/Mozgov count? I can't remember exactly when they announced it.

In February (@Ka3sha posted this link in a previous Russian news thread):

Танцевальная пара Бетина Попова/Сергей Мозгов объявила о завершении карьеры - 14 февраля 2020 - Sport24

Сегодня стало известно, что победители зимней Универсиады в Красноярске 2019 и многократные призеры международных соревнований, танцевальный дуэт Бетина Попова и Сергей Мозгов приняли решение завершить спортивную карьеру.

sport24.ru

article based on Betina Popova's Instagram post earlier today:

Фигуристка Попова: «Спорт — это не только блеск медалей и пьедесталы, это тысячи поломанных детей» - 28 июня 2020 - Sport24

Бывшая российская фигуристка Бетина Попова рассказала о проблемах, с которыми сталкиваются юные спортсмены.

sport24.ru

 

[Sylvia]

More on Betina Popova post-retirement: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...a-on-the-toxic-side-of-figure-skating.107363/

Today Maria Sotskova announced her retirement on IG: https://www.instagram.com/p/CCYeMVypSM6/

@Ka3sha has translated Sotskova's post here: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...ove-37-summer-2020.107296/page-9#post-5831043

 

[Sylvia]

2018 Czech Olympic pair skater Anna Dušková (also the 2016 World Junior champion with Martin Bidař) posted her retirement announcement on her Instagram today [June 24]:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CB0wDRlpUnl/

The Czech Figure Skating Association published their notice about Dušková's retirement on June 29: https://www.czechskating.org/clanek/853/anna-duskova-ukonceni-cinnosti

In May 2020, the Czech FSA received information from Filip Ščerba about the end of his sports career "for health and study reasons" - link: https://www.czechskating.org/clanek/851/filip-scerba-ukonceni-cinnosti
Scerba, 18, most recently placed 24th at 2020 Junior Worlds - his ISU bio: http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00035030.htm

 

[Sylvia]

Before the p*ndemic struck, Polina Edmunds was planning to train for the 2020-21 season following her graduation from Santa Clara University earlier this year. She was a guest last week on the "What Fulfills You?" Podcast (Polina is introduced starting at the 6 min. mark):

Polina Edmunds - The Best of Both Worlds as an Olympian, Team USA Athlete, and College Student

Listen to this episode from What Fulfills You? on Spotify. "Never look at anyone else. You focus on just yourself. That's going to be the most important thing for success." Polina Edmunds is a Team USA Figure Skater and was the youngest member of the team at the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi...

open.spotify.com

Also available via Apple Podcasts: https://twitter.com/PolinaEdmunds/status/1283879470823174145

[Starting around 43:00 re. her future plans, summarizing] Right now, Polina is interested in trying sportscasting, marketing, PR. She will continue skating and would like to do shows and maybe conduct seminars. If the p*ndemic had not happened, she says she likely would have been in full competitive training mode right now, and so it feels strange to her that she's leaving that part of herself behind. She's very happy and satisfied with what she was able to accomplish in her skating career and, knowing that, she feels very content to move forward with her life.

A direct quote from Polina:
"There are doors that are opening and I want to take them, and I don't want to keep waiting because of training anymore... and me coming to terms with the fact that I am satisfied, is a big relief as well... knowing that I can move forward and not feel guilty or sad about it, really... so I'm feeling good!" (she laughs)

 

[Sylvia]

Article linked from here: https://twitter.com/AnythingGOE/status/1286686878662615042

Yuri Hulitski has announced he has retired from the sport and is now a chief specialist in the legal department of the Ministry of Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Belarus.

He last competed at 2019 Euros and Worlds with Anna Kublikova http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00103260.htm

 

[SmallFairy]

Viveca Lindfors retired?
@Finnice @Hanna

I assume because of injury? Such a shame, so happy she got a medal at Euros!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDJvXv3JeRU/?igshid=lo8rb3rww5ne

 

[Hanna]

Viveca Lindfors retired?
@Finnice @Hanna

I assume because of injury? Such a shame, so happy she got a medal at Euros!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDJvXv3JeRU/?igshid=lo8rb3rww5ne

Yes, she retired. According to her announcement her back just won't be able to take the elite level training, despite trying to come back several times. She also got accepted into university, which made the decision easier.

It is kinda weird to think that bronze at Euros ended up being her last competition ever. But at the same time, how amazing that she managed a European medal during her rather short career.

 

[Finnice]

Sad to see her go, but also understandable. She will always have that bronze.

 

[FSWer]

So she'll be in skating shows? What about commentating? She seems really young.

 

[Sylvia]

@FSWer, your Polina Edmunds thread was moved to the Trash Can (I assume because she's now retired) if you'd like to continue posting any questions there - direct link to my reply: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/polina-edmunds.107522/#post-5851436

From my post #22 (above) that summarized Polina's podcast interview in July:

[Starting around 43:00 re. her future plans, summarizing] Right now, Polina is interested in trying sportscasting, marketing, PR. She will continue skating and would like to do shows and maybe conduct seminars.

Commentating is like sportscasting.

 

[Tinami Amori]

Lubov Ilyschechkina is now officially a coach.

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[AxelAnnie]

Lubov Ilyschechkina is now officially a coach.

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Oh man!!! And I am officially and totally bummed.