Skaters Who Breakout Later in Their Careers

[BillNeal]

In countries where there is a great amount of depth in certain disciplines, sometimes there are many skaters who skate domestically and don't get a chance to compete on the international stage for a long time. They may only start to get the recognition they deserve once they find a program that is an excellent vehicle for them.

One example I can think of is Élisabeth Paradis/François-Xavier Ouellette. They skated a whole quad together with only one international assignment. Then in 2014 they got their first GP at Skate America, I think as a replacement for another team who withdrew and moved up to 4th place overall after the FD (8th in the SD) on the strength of their free dance to Un Peu Plus Haut. This program let their careers take off. They earned a Top 5 finish at Nationals that year and managed a podium finish the following year.

They finally were able to compete in ISU championships in 2016. During 4CC, Elisabeth had a wardrobe malfunction but they handled maturely, getting right back into the program after a 30+ second delay and being told that by the referee that she can't rewind the music back. It's sad that they retired after the 2016 season, partially due to not qualifying for the free dance in Boston. However, they were able to showcase some beautiful skating and gained many new fans when they earned their chance to skate on the international stage .

What are some examples of skaters that have breakout performances and receiving important assignments later in their careers after skating in the shadows of others for many years?

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Paul Wylie.
Adam Rippon.

 

[Anni234]

Mariah Bell!

 

[lichi]

I thought of Javier Fernandez when seeing the thread title, but he doesn't exactly fit the description of being under someone else's shadow (never had trouble going to Worlds/Euros).

 

[Mista Ekko]

Elena Sokolova of Russia had a big resurgence in 2003 at age 23,
Ended up getting Silver at Worlds that year and 3 European medals that quadrennial

Her Worlds SP

 

[yume]

Akiko Suzuki debuted in big competitions at 23-24yo (GPF, 4CC, Worlds). She even went to olympics before worlds. I think that when she made her first olympics, at 24yo, she never got a spot for worlds. And medaled at worlds at 26.

 

[draqq]

Rudy Galindo didn't have much presence in the singles field (as opposed to his pairs wins at Nationals) until his last year with his triumphant "Swan Lake" program that won him US Nationals and bronze at Worlds.

Shizuka Arakawa was shuffling around the middle of the pack internationally for about six seasons in the senior ranks before her wonderful "Turandot" program with which she won worlds.

Dubreuil / Lauzon skated for about 10 years in the senior ranks before hitting it home with their "Somewhere in Time" routine.

Same goes for Delobel / Schoenfelder who were together 10 years in the senior ranks before reaching the podium at Europeans in 2007.

 

[yume]

I thought of Javier Fernandez when seeing the thread title, but he doesn't exactly fit the description of being under someone else's shadow (never had trouble going to Worlds/Euros).

Yes, Javier doesn't fit exactly the description because he never was under someone else's shadow nationally. But had to fight a long time to get in top groups at worlds. He medaled in his 7th season in seniors.

 

[BillNeal]

Akiko Suzuki debuted in big competitions at 23-24yo (GPF, 4CC, Worlds). She even went to olympics before worlds. I think that when she made her first olympics, at 24yo, she never got a spot for worlds. And medaled at worlds at 26.

Ya and Akiko wasn't even considered the best skater in Japan until her final season. She skated in Mao's shadow for a large part of her career and finally had the performance of her life to win the national title in an Olympic year.

 

[Sabrina]

I am thinking about Voronov/Menshov, though I don't know if they qualify, but I discovered them when they were close to 30 years old.

 

[yume]

Ya and Akiko wasn't even considered the best skater in Japan until her final season. She skated in Mao's shadow for a large part of her career and finally had the performance of her life to win the national title in an Olympic year.

Well, she was the best surely in 2011-2012 season only. When Mao was in her two seasons reworking technique.

 

[mrrice]

This will come as no surprise but the winner of this category has to be Maria Butyrskaya. I believe that she is still the oldest and IMO, prettiest world champion.

 

[Colonel Green]

Among current skaters, Keegan Messing just attended his first World Championships at age 26 (and after debuting at the Olympics).

 

[BillNeal]

This will come as no surprise but the winner of this category has to be Maria Butyrskaya. I believe that she is still the oldest and IMO, prettiest world champion.

With all the mention of Maria Butyrskaya, I'm gonna have to start watching her programs . She was before my time as an FS fan.

 

[Mathman]

With all the mention of Maria Butyrskaya, I'm gonna have to start watching her programs . She was before my time as an FS fan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCGjYhxGkf4

Maria won Skate Canada in 1992 and then didn't win again until 1997.

 

[Step Sequence4]

Would Osmond & Daleman count? I know they’re still both fairly young but they skated for the better part of a quad before becoming top skaters. I know they weren’t in anyone’s shadow, but I still think they both had big breakout seasons in 2016-17.

 

[BillNeal]

Would Osmond & Daleman count? I know they’re still both fairly young but they skated for the better part of a quad before becoming top skaters. I know they weren’t in anyone’s shadow, but I still think they both had big breakout seasons in 2016-17.

I think Osmond's breakout season was in 2012-2013 when she won Skate Canada and then went on to place in the top 10 at Worlds to secure 2 spots for the ladies. I agree that Daleman's breakout season was in 2016-17. She has kind of skated in Kaetlyn's shadow for a few seasons but has managed to take the Canadian title this past season. Anyway, good to see them pushing one another and the discipline.

 

[perspicuosity]

Among current skaters, Keegan Messing just attended his first World Championships at age 26 (and after debuting at the Olympics).

Seconding Keegan. First worlds at 26 and makes the final group for the free skate. If he takes over at Canadian national champion he'll be set.

 

[surimi]

Also, last season's performances of Voronov and Bychenko are a great example of why one shouldn't be quick to write off skaters just because of their age. Great respect for these two. And Majorov is also getting some recognition late in his career.

 

[Ladskater]

Jennifer Robinson of Canada. Although she was the Canadian National champion 6 times, she really came into her own after retiring from amateur competition and touring with Stars on Ice. Also Josee Chouinard - here is an interesting article how Tonya Harding almost derailed Josee at the Lillehammer Olympics. I well remember this.

https://theskatingscene.wordpress.c...harding-tried-to-cripple-a-canadian-champion/