What about France? After Brian retires, they'll really only have Florent - I don't follow junior's, so it may not mean a lot, but I haven't even heard of any up-and-coming juniors? Are there any?
And I don't follow ice dance, but if P/B retire, are there any other dance teams to come after them?
France could have sent Chaffik Besseghier to 2013 worlds but he didn't meet French standards for worlds which just seemed idiotic shooting country in the foot!!
To be fair, Joubert was great in the past but I don't think he was serious contender in the last season, so there won't be that much difference when he is gone.
Perhaps, but I don't really see him placing higher than either Brian or Florent - do you? What little I've seen of him he seems mildly likeable to me - but I've never actually seen him doing really well.
He definitely would've been lower than amodio and Joubert but he's a third french man that could have gone to worlds and been getting seen and so even though he would've been third why not send someone! He qualified? Probably would have done better than maxim kovtun Russia's only!!! Man!!
Japan will be heavily impacted so is Italy ( all their skaters are getting old even C/L and B/H )
then USA and Canada ( ice dance and pairs but not for long ) and Russia Pairs ( but not for long )
China will shift to singles and will ony have one or two lukewarm competitive pairs
And I don't follow ice dance, but if P/B retire, are there any other dance teams to come after them?
I am interested in your comment that China will shift to singles. It certainly looks as if their well of pairs skaters has dried up. It's a bit surprising that they didn't make the commitment to sustain this program, considering how well it did. After all, once they made the move into gymnastics and diving, they built quite a long-lasting dynasty in both sports. Does anyone have any concrete information on this?
I do feel sorry for Japan especially. They seemed to have an inexhaustible field of singles skaters, and suddenly just about all of the ladies are standing by the exit, waiting to depart. Korea at least is not a surprise, though it's equally sad. After all, no one could have expected YuNa to last forever. She's been skating at a senior level internationally for nearly two Olympic cycles. I hope Korea doesn't have to wait too long for another top-ten or top-five (or top-one!) skater.
France could have sent Chaffik Besseghier to 2013 worlds but he didn't meet French standards for worlds which just seemed idiotic shooting country in the foot!!