This question came to mind after considering the very competitive nature of the US Men's skating scene this year.
What keeps skaters going who are ranked in the lower half of the top 10 at Nationals?
How do they support themselves financially?
What are their goals if a World Team is perhaps unlikely, from an objective, score-based standpoint?
Naming names isn't ideal, but just for clarity's sake, I'm imagining skaters such as Courtney Hicks and Timothy Dolensky.
Obviously to maintain a complete and viable figure skating scene in the US, we need to have a pool of skaters of a certain size. To maintain a presence in international competitions (Senior Bs, Grand Prix) we need more than just the top 3 from Nationals.
I just feel that it must be somewhat frustrating and also financially draining to be one of those skaters who is in this position, and I'm curious if any of you have insights into how these skaters make it work. The continued presence of these skaters indicates that they do make it work, and that it's a fulfilling process for them, which I think is commendable.
What keeps skaters going who are ranked in the lower half of the top 10 at Nationals?
How do they support themselves financially?
What are their goals if a World Team is perhaps unlikely, from an objective, score-based standpoint?
Naming names isn't ideal, but just for clarity's sake, I'm imagining skaters such as Courtney Hicks and Timothy Dolensky.
Obviously to maintain a complete and viable figure skating scene in the US, we need to have a pool of skaters of a certain size. To maintain a presence in international competitions (Senior Bs, Grand Prix) we need more than just the top 3 from Nationals.
I just feel that it must be somewhat frustrating and also financially draining to be one of those skaters who is in this position, and I'm curious if any of you have insights into how these skaters make it work. The continued presence of these skaters indicates that they do make it work, and that it's a fulfilling process for them, which I think is commendable.