My guess is that the same goes for Chinese today.4. Russian skaters, back in the day, were all but forced to do pairs.
Very unfortunate but true. It's the same in gymnastics.because there are 4 times as many girls trying to make a name for themselves in skating than there are guys because of the homophobia that comes with the sport...
I think that famous coach (non-white, I believe) suggested that Tai and Randy get together in pairs. What a team they were!! Absolutely brilliant but as luck would have, one heluva bad break. Maybe that coach, if she is still around, could pair up another duo.
lil_icesk8er915 said:I've also heard that it's hard to find a good partner where you live.
In Ulanov's case, I believe they were allowed to break up after it became clear that the relationship became very destructiv. As for Averbukh, I am not sure he would have been allowed to dump Anissina ten years prior.Even the Soviet Union couldn't guarantee that their best-laid plans -- when the girl was 11 or 12 -- would hold: Ulanov famously left Rodnina to skate with the #2 pairs woman. Later, Averbukh left Anissina for Lobacheva. Both times, the man left a stronger partner and competitor for his future wife.