Erin
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Partly inspired by all the discussion of Holly Cook in Aerobicidal's poll and partly because I was thinking about this topic while watching 1986 Worlds, please choose your favourite world medallist who never made it to the Olympics. Note - current skaters are not included since they could still make the Olympics. You can choose based on any criteria you want, such as hardest luck story, think they were brutally robbed of the Olympics, think they are the most talented non-Olympians, or because you love barrel rolls.
I'm only going as far back as the mid-80s because I don't feel like searching earlier eras for people's records. Choices are:
Cynthia Coull & Mark Rowsom - Finished 3rd at Canadians in 1984, but since Underhill and Martini were out with an injury, it wasn't enough to make the Olympic team. Cynthia also just missed out on a singles spot that year, finishing 3rd with only two spots. They competed at Worlds that year and the next three, peaking with a 1986 bronze medal. Unfortunately, Mark had a groin injury that was already holding them back in 1986 and it resulted in a disastrous free skate at 1987 Worlds. He got surgery after that and then they got back on the ice so late that they decided to retire before the Olympic season.
Cindy Landry - After winning the junior Canadian title in 1988, she teamed up with two-time Olympian Lyndon Johnston and together, they won a surprise silver medal at 1989 Worlds behind Gordeeva and Grinkov. They won their first Canadian title in 1990, but at Worlds, they were held back by not having side by side double axels and dropped to 9th and that seemed to be it for them. She did do some pro skating with Burt Lancon (former partner of Jill Watson).
Holly Cook - really should be no introduction needed. Finished 6th at Nationals in 1988 and wasn't really part of the conversation, but then made the World team in 1990 and won a surprise bronze medal. When figures were eliminated, she dropped back down to 6th in the US in 1991 and retired before 1992.
Rudy Galindo - Two-time US champion in pairs with Yamaguchi in 1989-90, he looked on track to go to the 1992 Olympics in pairs when she decided to focus on singles. He also kept going with singles, generally finishing around 8th-10th at US Nationals with a peak of 5th in 1993, until his magical win in 1996. He followed that up with bronze at Worlds that year and then decided to take advantage of his newfound success and go pro.
Elena Radionova - Two-time World Junior champ and the new it-girl in Russian skating, she was too young for the 2014 Olympics (and no guarantees should have made it anyway with only two spots for Russia). She made her World debut the next year with a bronze medal, but by 2016, the field was stronger and she ended up 6th at Worlds. A combination of puberty and the incredibly deep Russian field meant she wasn't even in the conversation by 2018.
Anna Pogorilaya - she had a great season in 2014, but with only two spots for Russia, it wasn't enough to get her on the Olympic team, although she did make her World debut that year after Sotnikova withdrew. She was kind of in the shadow of other Russian skaters most of her career, but had a spectacular skate at 2016 Worlds to win the bronze medal. She looked like she was on track to medal again in 2017, but a disastrous free skate dropped her out of contention. Injuries plagued her the next season and she withdrew from Russian Nationals.
I'm only going as far back as the mid-80s because I don't feel like searching earlier eras for people's records. Choices are:
Cynthia Coull & Mark Rowsom - Finished 3rd at Canadians in 1984, but since Underhill and Martini were out with an injury, it wasn't enough to make the Olympic team. Cynthia also just missed out on a singles spot that year, finishing 3rd with only two spots. They competed at Worlds that year and the next three, peaking with a 1986 bronze medal. Unfortunately, Mark had a groin injury that was already holding them back in 1986 and it resulted in a disastrous free skate at 1987 Worlds. He got surgery after that and then they got back on the ice so late that they decided to retire before the Olympic season.
Cindy Landry - After winning the junior Canadian title in 1988, she teamed up with two-time Olympian Lyndon Johnston and together, they won a surprise silver medal at 1989 Worlds behind Gordeeva and Grinkov. They won their first Canadian title in 1990, but at Worlds, they were held back by not having side by side double axels and dropped to 9th and that seemed to be it for them. She did do some pro skating with Burt Lancon (former partner of Jill Watson).
Holly Cook - really should be no introduction needed. Finished 6th at Nationals in 1988 and wasn't really part of the conversation, but then made the World team in 1990 and won a surprise bronze medal. When figures were eliminated, she dropped back down to 6th in the US in 1991 and retired before 1992.
Rudy Galindo - Two-time US champion in pairs with Yamaguchi in 1989-90, he looked on track to go to the 1992 Olympics in pairs when she decided to focus on singles. He also kept going with singles, generally finishing around 8th-10th at US Nationals with a peak of 5th in 1993, until his magical win in 1996. He followed that up with bronze at Worlds that year and then decided to take advantage of his newfound success and go pro.
Elena Radionova - Two-time World Junior champ and the new it-girl in Russian skating, she was too young for the 2014 Olympics (and no guarantees should have made it anyway with only two spots for Russia). She made her World debut the next year with a bronze medal, but by 2016, the field was stronger and she ended up 6th at Worlds. A combination of puberty and the incredibly deep Russian field meant she wasn't even in the conversation by 2018.
Anna Pogorilaya - she had a great season in 2014, but with only two spots for Russia, it wasn't enough to get her on the Olympic team, although she did make her World debut that year after Sotnikova withdrew. She was kind of in the shadow of other Russian skaters most of her career, but had a spectacular skate at 2016 Worlds to win the bronze medal. She looked like she was on track to medal again in 2017, but a disastrous free skate dropped her out of contention. Injuries plagued her the next season and she withdrew from Russian Nationals.
