Who Do You Think Will Opt Out of Worlds?

[Carolla5501]

Chen and Zhou went 5 and 6 at the OLYs, and that's with Hanyu and Fernandez ahead of them, with neither of those two going to Worlds. I think the U.S. will be just fine.

I think we will be OK, but I think we could also be in big trouble if one or the other melts down. (which we now know is entirely possible!)

 

[Bellanca]

No Shibs at worlds?

Why is Jason not going?

Happy for Max.

Jason is considered to be in a period of transition, and he probably has not had the opportunity to solely concentrate and focus on training. Imo, better for Jason to settle in again w/ a coach, etc. and then come back ready to in the next quad - hopefully!

 

[Cleo1782]

I am really happy for Max! I think Max has the ability to be in the mix. Although he struggled at Nationals, he had a good season. I hope Jason sorts out his coaching issues, but I am thrilled Max gets a shot at redemption. He has beaten Vincent more than once this year.

 

[skatingguy]

Shocker shibs are out, said no one ever!
I doubt we will see them at eligible competition again. Definitely not next year anyway.

Given the depth of US Ice Dance at the moment, it might be difficult for them to drop back into eligible competition if they take a year or two out.

 

[Bellanca]

I think we will be OK, but I think we could also be in big trouble if one or the other melts down. (which we now know is entirely possible!)

Yeah. W/ the ladies, too. Let's keep our fingers crossed. I'm hopeful!!

 

[Aceon6]

I think we will be OK, but I think we could also be in big trouble if one or the other melts down. (which we now know is entirely possible!)

I hope USFS and Raf had a nice talk with Team Chen, reminding them that two clean skates likely keeps the 3 spots.

 

[Willin]

A bit surprised about the Shibs, but I was wondering if they were thinking of retiring or at least taking time off to capitalize on the media attention, so I'm not entirely surprised.

As for Jason, I'm disappointed that he won't be there, but I think it'll be great for Max to go. It sounds like he's contemplating retirement, so it's a great gift to be able to go to Worlds this season. I wonder if along with the changes he's making Jason was thinking about that when he made his decision. After all, he is great friends with Max.

 

[Spun Silver]

I'll miss the Shibs, but that's a great opportunity for H/B. And C/L's medal chances just increased a little bit.

I'm OK with the Shibs not going too if it means CL can medal.

 

[Jayar]

Somewhere in the world @misskarne just peed her pants a little.

 

[bwayrose7]

I've been critical of Max over the years, but I am truly thrilled for him that, if this is the end of his career, that he gets to end it on a high note after a disappointing Nationals. Plus I have to cheer for my fellow AZ native

As much as I'll miss the Shibs, I am beyond excited that H/B finally, FINALLY get to be on a Worlds team - I think that bodes well for their chances for the next quad. And the fact that now both H/D and C/L have strong medal chances? Yes please

 

[chapis]

With Shibs out, the good news for me is that I will be able to watch the Worlds without stress at all.

Anyway, from a recent interview:

Are you going to Worlds [the World Figure Skating Championships start in Milan on March 19]?

Alex: We don’t know yet. There are so many opportunities right now, and we’ve always had interests that are outside of skating, so we’ll see. That doesn’t speak to what we’ll do this coming season or the next Olympics, though. We’re still very young.

 

[Vash01]

Chen and Zhou went 5 and 6 at the OLYs, and that's with Hanyu and Fernandez ahead of them, with neither of those two going to Worlds. I think the U.S. will be just fine.

They could both medal (or at least one of them). Their competition will be Uno and Jin, both formidable opponents. Aliev may be in the medal hunt too.

 

[barbk]

Dang. I was really hoping to see both Jason and the Shibs again this year.

 

[shuilee]

I hope Mariah Bell is practicing. Sounds like neither Mirai or Ashley has been anywhere near the ice. Ladies SP is only 2.5 weeks away!

Would be cool if Mariah gets to go to Worlds along with her hot French boyfriend, both getting to compete!

 

[Karen-W]

I hope Mariah Bell is practicing. Sounds like neither Mirai or Ashley has been anywhere near the ice. Ladies SP is only 2.5 weeks away!

Would be cool if Mariah gets to go to Worlds along with her hot French boyfriend, both getting to compete!

Seems to me like the USFSA would have announced all of its withdrawals at the same time, so I think it's safe to assume Mirai will be in Milan.

Now, watch me proven wrong next week, lol.

 

[allezfred]

Shocker shibs are out, said no one ever!
I doubt we will see them at eligible competition again. Definitely not next year anyway.

It'll all depend on whether Coldplay release a new album or not....

 

[SLIVER]

It'll all depend on whether Coldplay release a new album or not....

lol you're f'ing hilarious ?

 

[skatfan]

Not surprising to see the Shibs withdraw - they've been at Worlds for so many years, and now I imagine they have some options for the spring. We have such depth in dance it shouldn't hurt getting 3 spots, and maybe Hubbel Donohue can finally medal.

Jason not accepting the World's assignment seems to confirm that he's leaving Kori Ade. I wish him well in his search for a new place. Yay for Max - after being so heartbroken at Nationals, I'm glad he gets this chance. I have a really hard time seeing Mirai at Worlds, but maybe she'll surprise me!

 

[sk9tingfan]

I hope Mariah Bell is practicing. Sounds like neither Mirai or Ashley has been anywhere near the ice. Ladies SP is only 2.5 weeks away!

Would be cool if Mariah gets to go to Worlds along with her hot French boyfriend, both getting to compete!

Sorry for being out of the know. Who is Mariah dating?

 

[Sylvia]

Sorry for being out of the know. Who is Mariah dating?

Romain Ponsart (eta: this will be his first Worlds).

 

[Bellanca]

Even if there is some $ involved, most athletes would not want to bypass worlds for Access Hollywood and the Oscars - for goodness sake. Regardless, I think Mirai can successfully achieve the goal of attending both without consequences. She will not be missing that much ice time and/or training. We'll see...

 

[Debbie S]

Even if there is some $ involved, most athletes would not want to bypass worlds for Access Hollywood and the Oscars - for goodness sake.

It seems clear that both Adam and Mirai considered the Olys to be the pinnacle of their careers. Both have been to Worlds before and they have both hinted (I don't think either has come out and said one way or the other) that this is their last season. Money or not, if they are not planning to continue competing, it makes sense that Access Hollywood and the Oscars would be more enjoyable to them than competing at Worlds. Adam did right by letting USFS know right away so that an alternate could be notified. If Mirai doesn't plan to compete, I would hope she would let USFS know ASAP (and may have already done so).

 

[Vash01]

What if both Med and Zag opt out of worlds? I hope Konstantinova and Tsurskaya are training hard, just in case.

 

[GullyGirl84]

t seems clear that both Adam and Mirai considered the Olys to be the pinnacle of their careers. Both have been to Worlds before and they have both hinted (I don't think either has come out and said one way or the other) that this is their last season. Money or not, if they are not planning to continue competing, it makes sense that Access Hollywood and the Oscars would be more enjoyable to them than competing at Worlds. Adam did right by letting USFS know right away so that an alternate could be notified. If Mirai doesn't plan to compete, I would hope she would let USFS know ASAP (and may have already done so).

Mirai has not hinted that this will be her last season. She has explicitly said at least three times this season, as recently as this week after the ladies free skate, that she plans to continue for a few more seasons.

 

[Debbie S]

Mirai has not hinted that this will be her last season. She has explicitly said at least three times this season, as recently as this week after the ladies free skate, that she plans to continue for a few more seasons.

Oh, I hadn't heard that. Well, good for her. But she may have lost some goodwill she had with USFS when she called her Oly FS a DWTS audition. And if she shows up at Worlds in less than competitive shape, that's not going to help. We'll see what happens.

 

[LilJen]

Sad we will not be seeing the Shibs, Adam, Jason, I/M, Han Yan, Stol/Kli at worlds. I still harbor my suspicions that Jason has been fighting one of those nagging injuries that he'd like to fully heal, but that's pure speculation.

 

[BittyBug]

But she may have lost some goodwill she had with USFS when she called her Oly FS a DWTS audition.

Mirai clarified what she meant by that. It was a technique given to her by her sports psychologist to try to reduce self-imposed pressure. "Visualize yourself as being somewhere else," and so in the end it was actually a rather innocuous remark.

 

[Skittl1321]

I hope USFS and Raf had a nice talk with Team Chen, reminding them that two clean skates likely keeps the 3 spots.

But an aggressive skate might win a championship...

 

[laviemn]

As much as I'll miss the Shibs, I am beyond excited that H/B finally, FINALLY get to be on a Worlds team - I think that bodes well for their chances for the next quad. And the fact that now both H/D and C/L have strong medal chances? Yes please

I feel like H/D now must medal at these Worlds. Do or die time.

As for C/L, does no one remember S/B beating them at Europeans? Yes, it was in Russia, but the skating justified it. I also don't think C/L have skated better than C/B this season when both are clean.

 

[vesperholly]

Sad for Jason but excited for Max.

Over the moon for Hawayek/Baker!!!