2022-23 Retirements, Splits and New Partnerships

[moonvine]

Dear Skaters,

This is not a post Olympic season. No more retirements are allowed.

Thanks,

Management

 

[Weathergal]

Dear Skaters,

This is not a post Olympic season. No more retirements are allowed.

Thanks,

Management

If we're management, I have some changes I'd like to make.

 

[4everchan]

If we're management, I have some changes I'd like to make.

tell me about it !

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

^^ I totally understand @moonvine Yet, I don't doubt we'll soon hear that Alexa/ Brandon are not continuing, but I guess any announcement by them will be expected instead of lamented. I will certainly miss them, and so will the U.S. pairs discipline.

 

[4everchan]

Dear Skaters,

This is not a post Olympic season. No more retirements are allowed.

Thanks,

Management

it's not uncommon though, after the first year of the new quad to see retirements...
few "planned" reasons :
some teams/skaters may have stayed to get that elusive title or medal...which is finally available because better ranked teams are on hiatus or retired...
some may have felt they wanted to keep going for a new quad but after the first season, they realize they are more than done
some may have felt that the olympic season was not fun.. too much pressure, and they feel like one more season to do a fun farewell tour

add to that the "unplanned retirements" due to injuries, retirement of one skater from a team.. etc... the best couple years for people who fear retirement season ie the summer.... are year 2 or 3 of the quad... as by then, skaters are so close to the goal that they often commit to the full cycle.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

In Alexa/ Brandon's case, it's believed they were asked to come back for another season, and given incentives to do so. It took them awhile to decide affirmatively, so they ended up with a late start to the season. It was likely somewhat difficult to stay focused and motivated, especially with off-the-ice situations they experienced, including death of one of Alexa/ Chris's beloved dogs; passing of Alexa's grandmother; Chris's acceptance of a new coaching/ program director position in Illinois; etc. Plus, of course, most recently A&B having to emotionally deal with their main coach's sudden heart attack and prolonged recovery, in the lead-up to defending their World championship.

In light of all this, it's pretty amazing how well Alexa/ Brandon rose to the occasion this season, time and again. Especially at Worlds when, before A&B even got a chance to skate, the judges vaulted Miura/Kihara to a rather unbeatable advantage level. There were only two top quality teams this season in a transition-period weak pairs field.

Also, considering that TPTB clearly desired to put M/K on top of the World podium in 2022, and when they couldn't due to M/K faltering, still kept M/K on the podium in silver position, there was no doubt M/K would win this year. That certain knowledge was surely another factor to overcome psychologically for direct rivals. Anyone who doubted M/K would be anointed champions this season, was kidding themselves. In figure skating, politics, favoritism, PCS manipulation, and numbers-crunching abound. As do endless partner splits and retirements!

ETA:
This year was not a 'farewell tour' for A&B. They were needed by the U.S. pairs discipline, and their coming back has been hugely beneficial in that respect, as well as hugely appreciated.

One personal incentive for them may have been the fact that despite their veteran experience, they were a partnership of only two seasons. So, coming back to challenge themselves further made sense in that regard. However, they'd clearly reached desired goals and beyond in 2022. The first half of 2021-2022 season was challenging for them. Then they reached in-the-zone heights at Olympics and Worlds. I'll never forget how they skated lights out at Worlds, even after being faced with unexpected pressure before skating last in the fp! Not many athletes could have surmounted that kind of pressure in such slam dunk fashion. A&B are definitive champions in my eyes, and in my heart.

 

[el henry]

Can I ask who believes that Alexa and Brandon were asked to come back and who believes they were given incentives?

I am asking because Dave Lease had a fever dream that he shared on TSL that Jason was asked to return and that Jason was somehow "paid" by USFS to do so. Made up out of whole cloth and true only in Dave's mind. Presumably there are better (as in real) sources for the Alexa and Brandon information?

 

[noskates]

I'm with El. This is all speculation as to why Brandon and Alex came back. To all outward appearances they were enjoying their partnership and maybe 1 year wasn't enough. I adore my animals but the death of one of them wouldn't cause me to alter my life. I would bet the farm that Chris has been looking for something other than 3rd or 4th hand behind Jenni and Todd and that it wasn't a last minute decision. Many pairs teams live in different parts of the country and manage to skate together. My uneducated and not-in-the-know guess would be if they don't continue skating it would be because they want to get on with their lives. Alexa may want to have a baby, Brandon may have a private life outside of skating. The one thing I will agree with is that K and M were held up by the judges. Whatever they decide to do I hope it's fulfilling. They've both given me a lot of joy over the years with their respective partners and with each other. I'll miss Alexa's smile and Brandons quite strength.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Sorry for mentioning the 'incentives' theory, voiced on TSL. There's no proof nor confirmation of comeback incentives having been offered. Dave was also wrong for suggesting during a pre-Worlds TSL episode, that sentiment for Todd would sweep A&B to another win.

I still believe part of Alexa/ Brandon's decision was formed out of a desire to continue supporting the U.S. pairs discipline, for which I thank them! I'm sure they also ultimately desired to continue exploring their young partnership. Maybe they aren't finished yet either. They may not make any announcements for awhile. All things are possible. At the moment, for sure they are heart-centered in focusing on praying for and supporting their coaches and friends, Todd Sand and Jenni Meno Sand!

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

This is all speculation as to why Brandon and Alex came back. To all outward appearances they were enjoying their partnership and maybe 1 year wasn't enough. I adore my animals but the death of one of them wouldn't cause me to alter my life.

For sure Alexa/ Brandon have not discussed all of their decision-making. They did give an interview during the season in which they revealed that they made the decision to return in July 2022, which was very late.

I'm not sure what you mean by alluding to the death of one of Alexa/ Chris's dogs as having some bearing on the comeback decision. I'm not sure how you are misconstruing that! I only said that some of the ups-and-downs faced this season were the death of a pet and the loss of a grandmother.

Sometime in early October, I saw Alexa's sweet tribute to their beloved female St. Bernard, who had recently passed from cancer. I didn't notice a reference to exactly when their dog died, but it was a beautiful, heartbreaking tribute. For sure, that affected Alexa emotionally during the course of the season. I never said that was a reason for the decision to return for another season.

FYI-- Alexa/Brandon partnered in early 2020, post U.S. Nationals. They were together for two years when they won 2022 Worlds. This year marks three years for their partnership.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

I would bet the farm that Chris has been looking for something other than 3rd or 4th hand behind Jenni and Todd and that it wasn't a last minute decision.

Once again, if you're referring to my initial post, you are misconstruing my comments. I did not say that Chris obtaining a new position was connected to or not connected to any decisions made by A&B to return competitively. The announcement of Chris's new position occurred during the season, which clearly does not mean he got the position suddenly.

The point of my listing off-ice happenings, is simply acknowledging how amazing athletes are in doing the extraordinary things they do (that's all athletes, not just A&B) in the midst of life's ups-and-downs. That's all part of the process, and the journey.

It's nice that you agree with my thoughts on M/K's win. Anyone who can't see that Miura/Kihara are favored, can't see clearly. When competitors are highly skilled and competition is close, it is what it is. Figure skating has never been a fair sport, but it can be uplifting and inspirational due solely to the skaters, not to the officials. M/K are certainly worthy champions. Still, judging by how they were helped to stay on the Worlds podium last season, and judging by GPF results, there was little doubt in a close competition taking place in Japan, that M/K would be the victors. Definitely, A&B had an outside chance to win, but skating clean was necessary. And M/K skating first in the sp with such an insurmountable score happened before A&B got out on the ice. That's fs competition.

 

[GoneWithTheWind]

Hailey Yu/Brendan Giang (Canadian junior ice dancers) have split. He is on Ice Partner Search.

Grace Vainik/Yegor Barshak (Georgian junior ice dancers) have split. He is also on Ice Partner Search.

 

[4everchan]

Hailey Yu/Brendan Giang (Canadian junior ice dancers) have split. He is on Ice Partner Search.

Grace Vainik/Yegor Barshak (Georgian junior ice dancers) have split. He is also on Ice Partner Search.

sigh... I like Yu and Giang... I hope Brendan manages to find a new partner soon. Has Hailey retired ???

 

[GoneWithTheWind]

sigh... I like Yu and Giang... I hope Brendan manages to find a new partner soon. Has Hailey retired ???

She's not on Ice Partner Search and hasn't posted anything on Instagram about the split, so I'm not sure?
I liked Y/G too, I thought they had the potential to do well this coming season with other teams moving up.

 

[4everchan]

She's not on Ice Partner Search and hasn't posted anything on Instagram about the split, so I'm not sure?
I liked Y/G too, I thought they had the potential to do well this coming season with other teams moving up.

I wouldn't be surprised if she retired.. happens a lot with junior ice dancers in Canada (moving on to go to school)
but i really really liked them.
Seems like Sandrine and Quentin are going to be top team in juniors next year.. they are fresh and talented... i hope Brendan finds a suitable partner soon.

And in my craziest fantasies, Emmy Bronsard would have teamed up with Bruce Waddel... but yeah... we will see how her partnership evolves with Jacob Richmond... but just there I mentioned two more junior teams that split up/retired recently

 

[Jumping_Bean]

Hailey Yu/Brendan Giang (Canadian junior ice dancers) have split. He is on Ice Partner Search.

Grace Vainik/Yegor Barshak (Georgian junior ice dancers) have split. He is also on Ice Partner Search.

The link to Yehor's profile was already posted a few days ago, but here's also Brendan's profile: http://icepartnersearch.com/showbio.php?i=7368

(By the way, Haley Sales now also has a profile on Ice Partner Search: http://icepartnersearch.com/showbio.php?i=7366)

 

[LoisAGOEs]

I wouldn't be surprised if she retired.. happens a lot with junior ice dancers in Canada (moving on to go to school)
but i really really liked them.
Seems like Sandrine and Quentin are going to be top team in juniors next year.. they are fresh and talented... i hope Brendan finds a suitable partner soon.

And in my craziest fantasies, Emmy Bronsard would have teamed up with Bruce Waddel... but yeah... we will see how her partnership evolves with Jacob Richmond... but just there I mentioned two more junior teams that split up/retired recently

Sandrine and Quentin have aged out of juniors

 

[4everchan]

Sandrine and Quentin have aged out of juniors

gosh.. the pandemic really didn't do them any favour... they got one year on the circuit only

 

[CrazyKittenLady]

Russian pair skaters Daria Pavliuchenko / Denis Khodykin, the 2020 European bronze medallists, have split. Denis says he intends to continue his career in one way or another, nothing has been heard from Dasha yet.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CqnriS3ILQz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

 

[Mariiiiskate]

Russian pair skaters Daria Pavliuchenko / Denis Khodykin, the 2020 European bronze medallists, have split. Denis says he intends to continue his career in one way or another, nothing has been heard from Dasha yet.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CqnriS3ILQz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Im not shocked but still dispointed. I loved them together.