Yuko Kavaguti & Alexander Smirnov - ret. after 2016/17 | Page 9 | Golden Skate

Yuko Kavaguti & Alexander Smirnov - ret. after 2016/17

I'm gutted for Yuko & Sasha, but I certainly don't think they lost due to not having "nerves of steel" or a "brave heart." If they lacked those things they would have given up a long time ago. And hello, they just won gold at Euros 2 months ago.

I don't know what is next for them - that's for them to decide as a team. Whatever they choose to do, I will support them.
 
I think "brave heart" and "nerves of steel" are separate things. Yuko and Sasha are incredibly brave people--they have to be, to come back at their ages after the injuries they suffered, and throw down that 4S year after year... They never played it safe--you can see it even on the lifts.

But for some reason, over the years, it hasn't worked out for them at the big moments. I don't know what it is. They are capable of a clean SP + a clean LP; they showed this at Skate America. Maybe even that wouldn't have been enough for gold, or the podium, considering how the top 3 skated... but at least then that magnificent LP will be skated to perfection on the biggest stage--what they returned to do.

Whether they say goodbye to competition shouldn't depend on this result, however, or how they skated this particular night. It'll be up to their feelings, goals, and health.
 
gallavich said:
I'm gutted for Yuko & Sasha, but I certainly don't think they lost due to not having "nerves of steel" or a "brave heart." If they lacked those things they would have given up a long time ago. And hello, they just won gold at Euros 2 months ago.
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Can't you see the big differences between European Champions and World Champions? They have done their best to compete against the strongest pairs teams at this Event, but they lost in the end. Whose fault is it? They do not have the qualities of World Champions, to say the least. To leave or stay is up to them, but I don't think they have any other better choice left after the Worlds.
 
@Sandpiper, I guess that you may have mixed feelings about the Ladies' SP event. On the one hand, you must be thrilled for Liza's outstanding achievement, but on the other hand, you might be a little devastated by Wagner's poor performance there. Am I right?
 
:cry::cry::cry::cry::cry:
nothing to say really I have a lump in my throat
Pretty devastated.
All I can say is I will always support them & hopefully this wont discourage them from competing next season Maybe Im just a selfish fan who wants to see this style of skating wether it brings the results or not
 
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I feel so much for them, but K/S always were "hit or miss", they are very inconsistent. Their elements can be very good, but the other pairs can do better. It's a pity because Yuko and Sasha must work very hard, but it's never enough...:cry:
 
Sugarpova said:
:cry::cry::cry::cry:
nothing to say really I have a lump in my throat
Pretty devastated.
All I can say is I will always support them & hopefully this wont discourage them from competing next season Maybe Im just a selfish fan who wants to see this style of skating wether it brings the results or not
Click to expand...

Then we are two of a kind, Sugarpova - selfish fans! Here (hands out hankie)

This was really sad for me too - I think, maybe they just wanted it too much. I mean, Sasha was even upset after the SP for losing a level! I don't know if it even was the medal that they wanted so much - or not that alone - but they wanted the program to be perfect so much that they put incredible pressure on themselves. His mention that this was meant to have been their Olympic program, and all.

I don't know, I'm just speculating, of course. But I hope they don't let this be the end. They've shown they've still got great skates in them - and great programs.

So, Sugarpova, think of it this way: We've still got Paris... er Skate America. :) For me, as a fan, just seeing them compete, is worth it. What they want to achieve, and what they are willing to do for it, is up to them. As gallavich, I'll support them either way - but for my own selfish wishes... I wish them to go on.
 
Sweet Dream said:
Can't you see the big differences between European Champions and World Champions? They have done their best to compete against the strongest pairs teams at this Event, but they lost in the end. Whose fault is it? They do not have the qualities of World Champions, to say the least. To leave or stay is up to them, but I don't think they have any other better choice left after the Worlds.
Click to expand...

This is Yuko and Sasha's fan thread...for fans. ;) While you are entitled to your opinion, why don't you post it on the Worlds competition thread instead of bashing them here?

The best choice for them is the one that makes them happy. Many, many skaters choose to carry on after a loss, and skating would be one boring sport if they didn't. I daresay a quality of a true champion is that they don't give up after a failure, but look for ways to become stronger. With that said, eventually everyone does retire. But it's not for anyone else to tell them when they need to go.

edit:

http://rsport.ru/figure_skating/20150326/818115412.html

Skaters Kawaguchi and Smirnov still do not know whether to continue a career

SHANGHAI, March 26 - R-Sport, Andrew Simonenko. Russian figure skaters Yuko Kawaguchi and Alexander Smirnov said that has not yet discussed whether to continue his career next season.
Kawaguchi and Smirnov took a close on Thursday in the pairs figure skating competition at the World Championships in Shanghai fifth place. Previously, skaters, missed the Olympic season due to a foot injury at the partner, says he's going to retire, but in the early summer of 2014 decided to ride on.
"What's next, have not yet discussed", - said Smirnov told reporters. "Next season I do not know what will happen - then added Kawaguchi. - Sasha, I think, wants to continue. The knee had become stronger, we have compared to what it was before, ready to 200%."

"In the past were not ready - had little confidence - explained skater. - Now ready well - too much confidence. We must have something to do with attitude. I really want to skate clean. After two weeks, I hope, will go to Japan for the World Team Championship. at NHK Trophy in Osaka very badly made, it is necessary to alter. Japanese public can not be bad skating show. "
 
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gallavich said:
This is Yuko and Sasha's fan thread...for fans. ;) While you are entitled to your opinion, why don't you post it on the Worlds competition thread instead of bashing them here?
[/I]
Click to expand...

"Bashing"? Your wording is really interesting! Please tell me exactly the definition of this word! What is a fan supposed to say about his/her loved ones? Should he/she speak the same language in the same tone with the same opinions? Should he/she think alike on the same topic? Do you have the right to stop a FAN expressing different viewpoints here? As a rational fan, I am seeing their professional career coming to an end, but you take it as some sort of "bashing"? Your whole logic is not only ridiculous but also laughable, to say the least. No more argument with you here, for it is not worth it!
 
There is a difference between criticizing their performance yesterday, and saying that "they do not have the qualities of World champions, to say the least" and implying they should quit. Based on one bad skate? As if they are the only ones who ever had a bad performance? If you genuinely like them, it doesn't come across in your posts. Of course I cannot tell you what to post, but the fan fests are supposed to be positive (compared to the rest of the forum, which almost never is), so I just wonder why you would want to kick them when they are down in here. It's an observation, not an argument. :confused:

According to the article I posted, Sasha at least does not want to quit skating.
 
LRK said:
Then we are two of a kind, Sugarpova - selfish fans! Here (hands out hankie)

This was really sad for me too - I think, maybe they just wanted it too much. I mean, Sasha was even upset after the SP for losing a level! I don't know if it even was the medal that they wanted so much - or not that alone - but they wanted the program to be perfect so much that they put incredible pressure on themselves. His mention that this was meant to have been their Olympic program, and all.

I don't know, I'm just speculating, of course. But I hope they don't let this be the end. They've shown they've still got great skates in them - and great programs.

So, Sugarpova, think of it this way: We've still got Paris... er Skate America. For me, as a fan, just seeing them compete, is worth it. What they want to achieve, and what they are willing to do for it, is up to them. As gallavich, I'll support them either way - but for my own selfish wishes... I wish them to go on.
Click to expand...
They plan to continue!!!!!!!!
http://www.sports.ru/others/figure-skating/1028367394.html
For our selfish pleasure!:party2:


boo nothing negative here pls:slink:
I think them ending up 5th is enough negative
I wont be able to handle negative comments about them:laugh: They're unstable yes but it actually makes them more human & endering to me personally.
Perfect can be boring sometimes ...:slink: like some skaters with permanent Hollywood smiles on their faces

They actually earned so many new fans this year it would be a waste to just quit! Especially after P/T retired:cry: & left us with no old school skating!
 
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Yes! This is such great news!

Though, I must say, I don't need quite so much excitement in my life - I won't mind terribly if they make less mistakes next year. ;) Hopefully, they will be more relaxed, and just concentrate on doing their best - and we'll have more performances like Skate America.:)
 
I have to say that I never really followed them. But the FP this year was special. Stephane Lambiel tweeted that Papadakis/Cizeron 'won' the gala. I personally would give it to Yuko and Alexander. The lifts were sensational. Most enjoyable performance there. :)
 
Nice to see they'll keep going! I remain hopeful that they can pull a Skate America at Worlds sometime and finally come back with what we all wish for them. They're not the most consistent skaters, but all it takes is one night.
 
LRK said:
Yes! This is such great news!

Though, I must say, I don't need quite so much excitement in my life - I won't mind terribly if they make less mistakes next year. ;) Hopefully, they will be more relaxed, and just concentrate on doing their best - and we'll have more performances like Skate America.:)
Click to expand...
haha true true
Biting nails & worrying for them isnt my most pleasant moments
I really want them to keep the LP for the next year but they're working on new & they may be another masterpieces:love:

Tamara says they'll be in the WTT team so we hopefully will see these beautiful programs 1 more time! please clean this time:p
 
Yuko commented a bit
Me and Sasha very much want to be rehabilitated after what happened at World Championships in China during the Team Tournament in Japan.
The main thing now is to forget about the failure in Shanghai and have a correct approach and mood for the team championship. Because when it's about being prepared, we are always doing grat, and 200% ready for every launch.
Click to expand...
http://www.sovsport.ru/news/text-item/791934

really hope they get the right mood for the Stomp <3
 
 
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