Perhaps in the short term. However, Kirsten's thinking is more long term. The problem with the Lubov/Dylan pairing is, it may unfortunately be relatively short lived. When Dylan eventually retires, Lubov will be searching for a new partner. Until then, we can enjoy their success together.
I can actually understand Kirsten's decision. At the end of the day, if the partnership works, she will get herself a longer career out of a partner her own age than she would with a partner that is much older.
But, what I am struggling to accept is Kirsten's decision to split when things were going so well for not just her and Dylan, but for Margaret Purdy and Michael Marinaro as well.
Kirsten and Dylan were without doubt one of the top pairs partnerships in the world. They had climbed up to 3rd in the World Standings (
archive from 5th September), and with Robin Szolkowy and Pang/Tong retiring and Maxim Trankov injured, they would have been the favourites in any competition they entered this season.
Margaret and Michael were quickly becoming a very promising team for the future of Canadian Pairs skating. Despite it being their first year at Senior level, they were already up to 17th in the World Standings.
Now look at them. Kirsten and Michael struggling together. Margaret left without a partner, and subsequently retiring. And Dylan looking very good with his new Russian partner.
Kirsten said at the time that she made the decision because Dylan wasn't sure if he could commit to another Olympic cycle. Well, the very fact that he subsequently went looking for a new partner shows that he has decided he will continue. And the fact that he got one that is VERY competitive indicates that he is in it for the long haul.
So, Kirsten should have had a bit more patience and waited for Dylan's decision, rather than go on ahead and split up what could very easily have become Canada's top 2 teams.
As it is, with 3 slots, Kirsten and Michael should still make the Canadian team for Worlds. But, if things continue the way they are, it is clear that they will be the number 3, behind Duhamel/Radford and Iliuschkina/Moscovitch (who ARE eligible, thanks to Lubov being without a partner for so long).
Incidentally, I was amazed that somebody as good as Lubov was left without a partner for 2 full seasons.

She and Nodari Maisuradze had really caught our attentions in the 2010/11 season by winning Skate Canada and the Universiade. Yet, after their split a season later, Lubov somehow couldn't get a new partner.
Unfortunately, due to more tragic circumstances (if you don't know, see
this thread), Nodari is now without somebody to skate with. (All the best with your recovery, Julia. We are still thinking about you!)
It would have been a travesty if, like Lubov, Dylan had also ended up left on the shelf. So, I am so glad they got together, and are reminding the world just what they are capable of.
Sorry that my comment has turned into a rant. I just needed to get that off my chest.
Yay for Lubov and Dylan! Although short-lived, I really hope they can find a lot of success and enjoy the sport together.
I really love this new pairing between Dylan and Lubov. Hopefully they will have a lot of success in the long run. I easily see them becoming my favorite Canadian pair.
Getting back to Warsaw, and I am delighted with how well Dylan and Lubov are performing so soon into the partnership. I haven't seen the Free Skate yet, or the final results, but they were in a class of their own in the Short.
That said, I do have an idea how it finished up, thanks to this photo that Lubov posted on Facebook last night:
https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net...=a2e726be36ac10547c2877d43bbbba05&oe=54DBEF01
She gave the photo the caption "Happy debut!!!". To which Valentina replied:
Vale Marchei said:
Happy debut to the 2 of us...dear Lubov! Happy to share this with a nice girl like u!
Source:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...487753127&type=1&comment_id=10203254074901156
I really hope that both of them go on to have even more success, both this season and beyond.
...but, I still want Vale to concentrate on the singles!
CaroLiza_fan