Carolina is in an interesting position, which has both advantages and disadvantages. For ten years she has been not just the best skater in Italy but the best Italian skater by far. So if she has an off year, she can still get a place on the Worlds team. That has given her time for her skills to develop and mature. On the other hand, the entire fate and prestige of Italian skating has often rested on her shoulders, which (as YuNa Kim could attest to) can be a tremendous strain. Look at the way Carolina was treated by the national media after her Olympic meltdown on home ice in 2006. So the fact that she has persevered shows a considerable amount of inner strength. This makes her extra-admirable, doesn't it? It's going to be great to watch where she goes next, whether on the ice or in some other endeavor.