2025-26 Retirements, Splits and New Partnerships

[Skater Boy]

Congratulations to Carolane & Shane on a lovely career.
I wish them well as they move into the next phase of their life and career.

I feel for this team. They took a risk skating for Ireland to get to the Olympics and it didn't pay off. If the expected teams retire in canada at the end of this season they would have had a shot at the Canadian team next year.I hope they can take something from their competitive years though I am sure it is very disappointing. I see how it worked for the Reeds and tonnes who moved from Russia, Careirra, Piper, Deanna, Laurence (that is crazy how fast she switched countries not even a year actually more like six months. Just crazy.

 

[Skater Boy]

Right now it's speculation based on them passing on the Worlds spot Kam/O'Shea withdrew from when they're first alternates and Audrey's Instagram activity. No confirmation, but I wouldn't be surprised for an announcement.

So sad as this team had promise. The split does not seem very nice. Her comments were pretty obvious her feelings about him.

 

[Skater Boy]

How about Balazs and Ellie Kam? Lots of speculation there but I am guessing that Danny O is close to calling it quits competitively on the ice. But if Balazs was willing to come into the Meekins camp, Danny would be a great coach for Balazs and Ellie.

I don't think Danny OShea would be a very good fit should Balazs and Kam skate together. First he is too inexperienced as a high level coach. Second, having just skated with Kam it might cause some stress in respect to assumed favoritism not tomention comparison of him and kam versus the new partner.

 

[lileychristie]

Miyabi Oba has also retired. ;_; Miyabi was a delight to watch even at 31.
Source:

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

Here is Miyabi's own statement from her instagram account:


Google translation:

Announcement -
I have decided to put an end to my competitive career at the end of this year.

This is because it has become difficult to secure the same amount of time for practice and training as before.

Normally, I would retire at this point, but
the scary thing is that I myself think, "Maybe I can still do it" (laughs).
I feel it would be a waste to quit.
So, I don't think "retirement" is the right word, but I think it will be difficult to maintain the same level of program composition and technique as before, so I've decided to use the word "end" to describe my time as a competitive athlete.

I may no longer be a competitive athlete, but I hope to continue skating as an athlete who enjoys the sport for as long as possible.

Right now, I'm vaguely thinking about how I can practice with the limited time I have.

I don't know how far I can go, but if you see my name in competitions next season, I would be happy if you would continue to support me as before.

Miyabi Oba
Send feedback

So seems like the main reason for the "end of competitive career" is the difficulty in securing training time Sounds like she wants to find a way to compete still, "if you see my name in competitions next season, I would be happy if you would continue to support me as before."

I'll be very sad if she never competes again - she's such a sunshine and her joy on ice is just infectious IIRC she was landing 3S-3T even at 30 years old, how amazing was that! I hope she can find a way to train and compete again

 

[crystalspin]

Yeah o

There's a US junior ice dance team that split up right after nationals, but they haven't made an announcement yet. The girl, I think, will take a break for a year or so, which, looking at how thin she is, she really needs. The guy recently had a tryout with a Canadian skater, though if they did partner, they'd be country-locked, as both competed in JGPs.

Not sure we really needed your commentary on her body. But anyway not surprised Deych/Hu split, their vibe was off at every competition this season, hope they find partners and continue on.

 

[saine]

Anastasia Vaipan-Law and Luke Digby (Pairs, Great Britain) have split and Luke is retiring.

 

[4everchan]

Happy Easter everyone.... ugh

 

[labgoat]

If I don't laugh I will cry - so here is some levity about the departures...


I wish we could give them all such a fitting salute

 

[desertskates]

Oh, Vaipan-Law and Digby hurts my heart. When they were on, they were spectacular. Congratulations to him, though, for completing his journey in a satisfying way. I hope she's able to continue however she chooses.

 

[FlossieH]

Ana and Luke is a split I was fearing.

 

[norwegianfairytale]

I had a soft spot for them as well

However, I had a feeling that Luke might wanted to retire, so i´m not surprised. I hope Ana can find a new partner that works for her.

Anyways, the state of pairs right now :/

 

[ladyjane]

Another bit of sad news. I enjoyed watching Ana and Luke. I hope Ana takes her time, and then can find a new partner. I wish Luke good luck, both in his marriage and otherwise.

 

[onyxrose81]

I’ll miss them but it seems like just a case of someone just trying to hold on through injuries for the Olympics. I’m glad they got to experience that and I wish both of them luck in the next stages of their lives.

 

[Diana Delafield]

Ana and Luke is a split I was fearing.

Especially as it leaves Britain with really no senior competitive pair to send out. But they've had quite a few years of a modestly successful career internationally, and five years as champions at home. It's time to move on with other paths in life.

 

[16Olympics]

Happy Easter everyone.... ugh

Happy Easter to all the GS followers!

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Especially as it leaves Britain with really no senior competitive pair to send out. But they've had quite a few years of a modestly successful career internationally, and five years as champions at home. It's time to move on with other paths in life.

Time for you and your partner to return to competition? Show the young guns a thing or two!

I was trying to work out when was the last time we had any Scottish Pairs skaters. And I was drawing a blank. And then I remembered - the Silver Medallists from this year's British Championships, Rebecca Ritchie / Kyle McLeod, are both Scottish!

CaroLiza_fan

 

[Diana Delafield]

Time for you and your partner to return to competition? Show the young guns a thing or two!

I can see it now: The Scottish Deanna and Max! With grandkids hanging over the boards cheering us on (Well, we were both born there. And we both already have dual citizenship........nah, I don't think so )

I was trying to work out when was the last time we had any Scottish Pairs skaters. And I was drawing a blank. And then I remembered - the Silver Medallists from this year's British Championships, Rebecca Ritchie / Kyle McLeod, are both Scottish!

Probably wiser to go with them .

CaroLiza_fan

 

[moonvine]

Time for you and your partner to return to competition? Show the young guns a thing or two!

I was trying to work out when was the last time we had any Scottish Pairs skaters. And I was drawing a blank. And then I remembered - the Silver Medallists from this year's British Championships, Rebecca Ritchie / Kyle McLeod, are both Scottish!

CaroLiza_fan

I have Scottish ancestry to go with my Polish ancestry. I should start following Scottish figure skating.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

don't know, of course, just trying to think of possible causes for this epidemic.

Umm, check the sport. It's the usual figure skating 'short to non-existent windows of opportunity'. Athletes often leave out of choice or forced necessity; a few are lucky to make it to the top, and on a rare dime, to the Olympics; others go through hell, yet doggedly commit fully to chasing the elusive dream 'by any means necessary.' As we fans have constantly witnessed, this sport is not only 'tough,' it's too often like a dagger to the heart, for fans, for skaters and for their loved ones. 'Tis what it is. And that don't mean ... 'the season to be jolly.' Ho, ho, ho.

Best of luck to all the skaters! Special good wishes to those in the midst of transitional career and life changes! Thanks for all your hard work, and for all the joyful memories...

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

... they’ll return to past form like when they were 5th at Montreal Worlds.

Nothing is wrong with Lajoie/ Lagha's ice dance form. They need to find the right material that expresses who they are as partners, and they need to demonstrate a compelling connection. Stop with the safe and/ or retread choices! It's about music selection; momentum; choreo; concept; total packaging. 🗣