2021-22 Retirements, Splits & Partner Changes

[ice coverage]

On The Skating Lesson's recap of the Olympic Pairs event, guest Elena Betchke stated in passing that there was a rumor that the third US pair team (Calalang/Johnson) were splitting up. Nothing else was said about it. Has anyone else heard this? I really hope it isn't true. They are my fav US pair and they are still young by pairs standards.

FWIW, Calalang/Johnson are scheduled to headline a club show in April in Colorado.
(The only other headliner is Camden Pulkinen.)

As recently as yesterday and the day before, the show was promoting Calalang/Johnson's participation:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CaOTgJ1MDmV/ (Feb 20)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CaKZyWaut9I/ (Feb 19)​

The show announced C/J's participation on Jan 31:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CZaM_aIObE0/

---

... Not a retirement but Jason Brown is supposed to sit out worlds in lieu of Malinin but I guess a lot dpends on Nathan Chen and what h decides. ...

From the beginning, USFS announced the World team as Ilia, Nathan, and Vincent -- with the asterisk that Ilia needs to achieve a minimum TES score.
(Ilia is entered in Challenge Cup this week, and chances are good that he will be able to check off the box of the SP minimum. )

From the beginning, USFS named Jason as first alternate to the World team.
For me, it is very odd phrasing to say that Jason is "supposed to sit out worlds in lieu of Malinin" -- unless one also would say that Ilia was "supposed to sit out Olympics in lieu of Jason Brown."
A 2022 Worlds spot never has belonged to Jason any more than a 2022 Olympics spot ever belonged to Ilia.

https://usfigureskatingfanzone.com/...lections-for-world-four-continents-teams.aspx (Jan 9)​

 

[moonvine]

On The Skating Lesson's recap of the Olympic Pairs event, guest Elena Betchke stated in passing that there was a rumor that the third US pair team (Calalang/Johnson) were splitting up. Nothing else was said about it. Has anyone else heard this? I really hope it isn't true. They are my fav US pair and they are still young by pairs standards.

I've been afraid that might happen after all that has happened to them. Hopefully it isn't the case.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

I've been afraid that might happen after all that has happened to them. Hopefully it isn't the case.

It's not Calalang/Johnson who are splitting. They have always indicated they are continuing, despite every bit of bad luck they've experienced since 2020 and Worlds cancellation, etc. I just hope C/J and their coaches are seriously working on doing something more effective regarding their jump weaknesses. They need a jump drilling training regimen, and new jump layout/ selection strategies.

I couldn't figure what Bechke was referencing. She did not mention any team by name. While Bechke was interesting to listen to in the post 2021 Worlds recap, and she was interesting somewhat in this recent TSL Olympic pairs recap, I also found her a bit rambling and very over-talkative. I could only surmise that Bechke might be referencing the seemingly forgotten Liu/O'Shea. When L/O'S first paired and showed such promise, there was huge buzz about them that probably made its way to Russia. I haven't heard anything regarding how they are doing, but perhaps one or both have decided not to return to competitive skating, post their accident at Golden Spin. If that's the case, it will be too bad for pairs fans. They have shown a lot of promise together (despite Chelsea needing to repair her sbs jump issues and throw landings).

 

[skylark]

It's not Calalang/Johnson who are splitting. They have always indicated they are continuing, despite every bit of bad luck they've experienced since 2020 and Worlds cancellation, etc. I just hope C/J and their coaches are seriously working on doing something more effective regarding their jump weaknesses. They need a jump drilling training regimen, and new jump layout/ selection strategies.

I couldn't figure what Bechke was referencing. She did not mention any team by name. While Bechke was interesting to listen to in the post 2021 Worlds recap, and she was interesting somewhat in this recent TSL Olympic pairs recap, I also found her a bit rambling and very over-talkative. I could only surmise that Bechke might be referencing the seemingly forgotten Liu/O'Shea. When L/O'S first paired and showed such promise, there was huge buzz about them that probably made its way to Russia. I haven't heard anything regarding how they are doing, but perhaps one or both have decided not to return to competitive skating, post their accident at Golden Spin. If that's the case, it will be too bad for pairs fans. They have shown a lot of promise together (despite Chelsea needing to repair her sbs jump issues and throw landings).

Someone on another figure skating forum said the rumor about "the third US pair" splitting was about Lu/Mitrofanov. That seems highly unlikely to me, too. But the language sounds more like something Bechke would say, referring to the pair who came in third at the most recent nationals. I suppose "rumor" is the operative word here.

There are some relatively recent posts regarding how Chelsea and Danny are doing in their FF.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Someone on another figure skating forum said the rumor about "the third US pair" splitting was about Lu/Mitrofanov. That seems highly unlikely to me, too. But the language sounds more like something Bechke would say, referring to the pair who came in third at the most recent nationals. I suppose "rumor" is the operative word here.

There are some relatively recent posts regarding how Chelsea and Danny are doing in their FF.

Oh yeah, L/M came in third at U.S. Nationals. I too doubt any floating rumors about L/M splitting. I guess some of L/M's international competitors might wish this were true! LOL!

I have to laugh a little bit because everyone knows the depth that exists in U.S. pairs these days. Yet, Bechke in some of her comments spoke down about U.S. pairs' abilities. That may have been more true about U.S. pairs teams when she was competing in the late 1980s and early 1990s. But even then, Watson/Oppegard of the U.S. won an Olympic bronze medal in 1988, while Meno/Sand, Ina/Dungjen, and later Ina/Zimmerman were top contenders on the international scene. Post 2002 Worlds, U.S. pairs hit more of a downturn in podium chances, even though there were still competitive teams, some who set throw-jump records (Inoue/Baldwin 2006; Vise/Trent 2007).

Bechke also said something about skaters moving to pairs as an afterthought. I think there's less of that type of thinking going on today. Pairs is recognized more these days for the extreme physical risk, and difficulty of technical requirements. I agree with Bechke about how the strict rules under this current system make it limiting, and nearly impossible for pairs skaters to be creative. I wish Bechke had recognized the innovativeness of Savchenko/ Solkowy, Savchenko/Massot, and James/Cipres (in their final three seasons). J/C's moves and costume aesthetic can still be seen as influencing the current pairs field, while some of J/C's best music choices (Make It Rain; The Sound of Silence, etc.) have been used in recent years across disciplines.

 

[dorispulaski]

I/B did the first Olympic throw triple Axel in their 2006 SP, and it was a beauty! They finished 4th at 2006 Worlds, which is respectable, I think.

Vise and Trent did the first quad throw, a 4 Salchow.

To this day, neither quad throws or throw triple Axels are given a value that rewards their difficulty and risk appropriately.

 

[liv]

What's a " quad triple axel?"... I'm guessing you meant 'throw triple axel?'

 

[apgold]

Just want to say that ITA about Bechke was so hard to listen to I had to turn it off - she just rambles on and on.

I don't know if Dave and/or Jonathan are in awe of her because of her status (skating history/coached by Moskvina etc) but they never interject or follow up and act a bit star struck. I would've preferred to hear Meagan again (although she was just on their Team Event ep).

And if she knew of a US pair breaking up, wouldn't it behoove Dave or Jonathan to do a little more probing?

I assume if she wasn't just talking out of her you know what, we will get some confirmation of who it is.

I couldn't figure what Bechke was referencing. She did not mention any team by name. While Bechke was interesting to listen to in the post 2021 Worlds recap, and she was interesting somewhat in this recent TSL Olympic pairs recap, I also found her a bit rambling and very over-talkative. I could only surmise that Bechke might be referencing the seemingly forgotten Liu/O'Shea. When L/O'S first paired and showed such promise, there was huge buzz about them that probably made its way to Russia. I haven't heard anything regarding how they are doing, but perhaps one or both have decided not to return to competitive skating, post their accident at Golden Spin. If that's the case, it will be too bad for pairs fans. They have shown a lot of promise together (despite Chelsea needing to repair her sbs jump issues and throw landings).

 

[moonvine]

It's not Calalang/Johnson who are splitting. They have always indicated they are continuing, despite every bit of bad luck they've experienced since 2020 and Worlds cancellation, etc. I just hope C/J and their coaches are seriously working on doing something more effective regarding their jump weaknesses. They need a jump drilling training regimen, and new jump layout/ selection strategies.

I couldn't figure what Bechke was referencing. She did not mention any team by name. While Bechke was interesting to listen to in the post 2021 Worlds recap, and she was interesting somewhat in this recent TSL Olympic pairs recap, I also found her a bit rambling and very over-talkative. I could only surmise that Bechke might be referencing the seemingly forgotten Liu/O'Shea. When L/O'S first paired and showed such promise, there was huge buzz about them that probably made its way to Russia. I haven't heard anything regarding how they are doing, but perhaps one or both have decided not to return to competitive skating, post their accident at Golden Spin. If that's the case, it will be too bad for pairs fans. They have shown a lot of promise together (despite Chelsea needing to repair her sbs jump issues and throw landings).

I LOVE Liu and O'Shea so I surely hope not.

 

[pearly]

Just want to say that ITA about Bechke was so hard to listen to I had to turn it off - she just rambles on and on.

She just talks and talks, doesn’t she. Most of the stuff she says is interesting, but I find myself thinking “ok thank you, three examples were enough, no need to go on and on about the same thing”. Towards the end of the interview I’d just skip through some of her parts to hear what someone else had to say. If you go back to the episode, there’s some 10-15 minutes at the end where it’s just Dave and Jonathan.

I was also expecting Meagan.

 

[LoisAGOEs]

Lu/Mitrofanov definitely haven’t split because they’re scheduled to be at a show this weekend and Audrey’s promoted it.

 

[brushalley]

Have dance couple Zaghorski/Guirriero finished now?

 

[gold12345]

Just want to say that ITA about Bechke was so hard to listen to I had to turn it off - she just rambles on and on.

Yes, and I feel like if it were up to her, everyone would split except for Moskvina's pairs. She shows a very clear bias towards them because she was also coached by Moskvina and doesn't try to hide it. She repeatedly talks about how Moskvina told her to retire because she couldn't land a jump, and many of her comments center around retirement- it gives a dreary vibe to the whole thing. I disliked how she was going on about James/Radford's age- their issue seems more that they're an 11 month old pair that came from two very different partnerships (Meagan was very short, Vanessa is on the taller side of the pair girl spectrum, etc). I don't get the point of TSL bringing on guests to "recap the Olympics" when they mostly just talk about their career from 20 years ago and admit they don't know much about IJS.

Don't know if there's anything to the "the 3rd US pair split" thing, but it's interesting that coaches in other rinks are talking about it. I don't know why TSL didn't ask Bechke to specify if she was talking about L/M or C/J, but maybe they've heard the same thing and already knew who she meant. Skaters being signed up to do club shows doesn't really mean much because that's different from competing-- a pair could be done but still intending to fulfill show obligations.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

^^ I think it's safe to say that Lu/Mitrofanov are not splitting up as a pair team. They are both still young, and their partnership is still growing. They have promise and leaps and bounds ahead of them.

 

[moonvine]

^^ I think it's safe to say that Lu/Mitrofanov are not splitting up as a pair team. They are both still young, and their partnership is still growing. They have promise and leaps and bounds ahead of them.

Honestly I'm not sure it is ever safe to say any American team would not split. I would have bet $100 Chris and Alexa would not split as a team. Danny and Tarah splitting were a surprise, to me at least.

 

[el henry]

And the partner count stops at seven. Jokes aside, he's been a stalwart for Israel. Best of luck to Evgeni in the future!

 

[skylark]

Yes, and I feel like if it were up to her, everyone would split except for Moskvina's pairs. She shows a very clear bias towards them because she was also coached by Moskvina and doesn't try to hide it. She repeatedly talks about how Moskvina told her to retire because she couldn't land a jump, and many of her comments center around retirement- it gives a dreary vibe to the whole thing.

I didn't hear such a bias. Nor did I get a 'dreary vibe.' In fact, I think Bechke does a good service in general, by sharing her experiences about retiring. She was conflicted about it twice: once she retired from Olympic level comp to compete in professional circles only, and years later, she retired from competing and performing because she wanted a baby. I think she captures the ambivalence (and the terror) that many skaters, and many people in general, feel at the prospect of retiring for good. Giving up the only career you've known, striven for, and thrived in can't be easy for anyone. The unknown is scary.

Both times, Moskvina helped her see a different perspective, a more realistic one. It wasn't because she 'couldn't land a jump.' That phrase is unfair to Elena and diminishes her. Bechke/Petrov had already won an Olympic silver medal. Moskvina simply asked, how would they do better than that, with Gordeeva/Grinkov returning to the next Olympics; and Mishkutenok/Dmitriev also.

Bechke took her coach's specific advice about retiring from the professional circuit. When Moskvina asked, "what do you want to do?" and Bechke said, "I want to have a baby," Moksvina replied, "then quit." (or words to that effect.) I think she mentioned too, that Elena had accomplished everything she'd wished for.

The ways that any skater -- or any person -- defines success and 'dreams come true' can be different. I think that was also the point that Elena was trying to get across. From that perspective, she's actually providing encouragement for being happy with what one has accomplished and starting a new chapter in life.

I disliked how she was going on about James/Radford's age- their issue seems more that they're an 11 month old pair that came from two very different partnerships (Meagan was very short, Vanessa is on the taller side of the pairs girl spectrum

Was she going on about it? At any rate ... I also hope to watch Vanessa and Eric competing together for as long as they have the desire and motivation. Adjusting just to the height difference of a new partner, as you say, must be very challenging. (Marissa Castelli admitted as much after Mervin ended their partnership).

 

[skylark]

Honestly I'm not sure it is ever safe to say any American team would not split. I would have bet $100 Chris and Alexa would not split as a team. Danny and Tarah splitting were a surprise, to me at least.

And to go back to 2011, John Coughlin splitting with Caitlin Yankowskas, when the two of them had just (weeks before) earned 6th place at Worlds, which was the best finish for a US pair in nearly 10 years!

 

[elektra blue]

And the partner count stops at seven. Jokes aside, he's been a stalwart for Israel. Best of luck to Evgeni in the future!

he decided to make us lose money

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Honestly I'm not sure it is ever safe to say any American team would not split. I would have bet $100 Chris and Alexa would not split as a team. Danny and Tarah splitting were a surprise, to me at least.

Yeah, you never know. But I still can't see this young team splitting up. They are so good together, and they've been together since juniors. A lot of pairs teams across-the-board, split up in juniors and go from partner to partner. So we shouldn't just pick on U.S. teams, as everyone seems to have a tendency to do! I think Lu/Mitrofanov will have strong legs and great length to their partnership (which is unusual for pairs athletes). Plus, they have good coaches and a great training base.

Funnily enough Haven and Brandon split in juniors because Haven's family moved to Florida and Brandon was still in Colorado. But after the 2011 Junior pairs event at U.S. Nationals, when H&B both didn't fare so well with their respective partners, they decided to get back together, and they ended up winning Junior Worlds in 2013. They had been friends from a young age, competing first in roller skating. They were doing really well with their renewed pairs partnership until Haven's terrible knee injury in 2015, which caused them to be out for a year, and then have to slowly rebuild everything, including their confidence. But they stuck it out together, made progress, and reached worthy strides in Fall 2019, when they unexpectedly won two bronze medals on the GP. Complications with their coaching team and the realization that perhaps Haven was not going to make further progress with her jumps, plus a poor showing at 2020 U.S. Nationals led to their split, which coincided with Chris Knierim finally calling it quits. And then it magically worked out for Alexa & Brandon, who clicked together quickly and well.