SkateFan4Life said:IMHO, I would rather see women reach the top in their twenties, when they have grown into mature young women, rather than reach the top at 15 or 16, when, in many cases, they are still maturing and have not yet developed an adult body.
Just my own opinion, of course.
ITA. I for one prefer watching a woman skate, instead of a prepubescent girl. It doesn't help the sport knowing that these girls may no longer be competitive once they've gone through puberty. Tara is a prime example - her hip was too damaged to allow her to continue to compete and develop as an artist. Michelle is lucky to have avoided these types of injuries, and I personally think that Sasha may risk reinjuring her back if she works too hard for a consistent quad. I hope all of the young jumping beans out there thinking that a quad is the surest way to win are lucky enough to not suffer permanent injury. It may be a shock, but there is life after a skating competition.