2021-22 Retirements, Splits & Partner Changes

[moonvine]

I did not want to be right. I swear I didn’t. Brian and Kate Finister? Danny and Jessica? I’m trying to make lemonade here.

 

[moonvine]

A new quad?

In this case I believe it’s because they got shafted so much. But this is my opinion

 

[el henry]

Brian is retiring from competitive skating: (I apologize if this has been posted, I did not see it)

 

[moonvine]

Brian is retiring from competitive skating: (I apologize if this has been posted, I did not see it)

This is so sad.

 

[GGFan]

What a bummer to have Jessica and Brian split and Brian retire. I love watching them skate and really thought they had something special. I wish them both the best in their future endeavors.

 

[moonvine]

Someone make it stop.

 

[4everchan]

NOOOOOOOO... not Brian.... my favourite ever pair man from the USA. This just is not a good day... i am going to go watch curling. That's it.

 

[figureskatingandrainbows]

US pairs falling apart and splitting up before our eyes. Stoppp please I can't take any more

 

[DonnaR]

I'm so sad to hear this - they were such a special team.

 

[TontoK]

Dangit. Jessica and Brian could have been truly great, but it was just one thing after another.

Covid, cosmetics, missing any post-Nats assignment. It just never stopped.

I note that he announced retirement, but she announced the end of the partnership... so, where does she go? Misha? Another pair guy with Jenni and Todd?

 

[moonvine]

Dangit. Jessica and Brian could have been truly great, but it was just one thing after another.

Covid, cosmetics, missing any post-Nats assignment. It just never stopped.

I note that he announced retirement, but she announced the end of the partnership... so, where does she go? Misha? Another pair guy with Jenni and Todd?

I was hoping Danny but one of them would have to move.

 

[2sk8]

I was hoping Danny but one of them would have to move.

??? Danny is in Irvine.
My guess is he's deciding between Jess and Olivia- just a guess.

 

[moonvine]

??? Danny is in Irvine.
My guess is he's deciding between Jess and Olivia- just a guess.

Sorry, I thought he was in Colorado for some reason.

I figured out why, because I was talking to his dad and his dad had driven from Colorado to the Cranberry Cup. So it’s his dad that lives in Colorado.

And I hope he makes the right choice for him, whatever that is

 

[CoyoteChris]

Nooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Not the news I wanted to see when I signed in this morning.

I loved Rika. Easily my favourite Japanese skater since Mao Asada retired.

But, even I have to admit, the comeback didn't work out.

Here is my all-time favourite Rika programme, from when she was at her peak:

2015 Cup Of China FS

That performance earned Rika her absolute PB for the Free Skate. And contributed towards the second highest overall score of her career. (Her highest score came at Worlds later that season, where her FS score was 0.71 lower, but she achieved her absolute PB for the SP with a score that was 4.10 higher than she got in China).

Does anybody have a translation of what she says in the pictures? Because I would love to know if she says what her plans are.

I wish Rika-san all the best for whatever the future holds.

有り難う 理華さん (Hope that's right!)

CaroLiza_fan

That is mine too for her and that is the best I have every seen her skate. I see that the vid was put up by a forum member! Miss her. Maybe Jason Brown and her could do a duet at a gala!

 

[CoyoteChris]

What a bummer to have Jessica and Brian split and Brian retire. I love watching them skate and really thought they had something special. I wish them both the best in their future endeavors.

I wish them the best....reading through Brian's skating life and where he might go from here, I am reminded of some general remarks about pairs skating from his former partner which I thought interesting.

Aya Takai - We Are Public Health - U-M School of Public Health

“Overanalysis leads to paralysis!” my coached yelled from the opposite end of the rink, over my program music blaring from the speakers.

sph.umich.edu

I think Chris K. knew when it was his time to go also. There is nothing about this sport that is easy. All the best, J and B.
BTW, Aya has had quite an exciting life since 2017....all the best

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aya-takai

 

[momrk]

So sad to hear this; they were a favorite and still sad they didn't get to the pandemic-cancelled Worlds.That plus the trauma of last year-we can only wonder what could have been. Give Brian props for sticking with Jessica throughout that nightmare . Wish we had had 3 spots this year

 

[macy]

so sad, so much unrealized potential. i guess it just was not in the cards for them.

i wish Brian the best and Jessica luck in finding a new partner if that's what she chooses.

 

[Skatingcat]

Does this mean Jessica is going to retire too? Has she said anything?

 

[GoneWithTheWind]

A really lovely post from Misha Mitrafanov, confirming his split with Audrey:
https://www.instagram.com/tv/Cb73auFFsGG/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

For those who cannot see the post, this is his message about Audrey:

Audrey, the best partner I could ever dream of, and an even better friend, has decided to pursue her academic ambitions and attend the University of California, Los Angeles in the fall. I wish you all the best and can’t wait for you to soar (pun intended) in the academic world.

And, via FigureSkatersOnline, confirmation from Audrey that she will be attending UCLA but plans to "keep skating".
https://twitter.com/fsonline/status/1511052834959200257

 

[moonvine]

Does this mean Jessica is going to retire too? Has she said anything?

We don’t know. I hope not.