- Joined
- Jan 5, 2016
As many of us fans are quite aware, the Olympic dream for many skaters may never be realized. Japanese and Russian nationals just wrapped up, and US nationals are just around the corner. So I thought I'd ask, who are the best skaters who never went to the olympics? You should include skaters who went as alternates but never competed.
Alissa Czisny - She is, in my opinion, still the best spinner I have ever watched. Centered, fast, and elegantly positioned. Indeed, Alissa always had problems with consistency, but when she was on, she was on. It's crazy to think a former national champion and grand prix final champion never got her Olympic moment. Her Sabrina, Winter to Spring, and Dr. Zhivago programs are some of my favorites of all time.
Yukari Nakano - Sure, her leg wrap always annoyed the hell out of me, but there was no denying that Yukari had powerful jumps and a large presence on the ice. I loved watching her programs. And don't forget her triple axel. Unfortunately, in 2006, despite a strong grand prix showing, Yukari finished 5th at Nationals, and was not sent to the olympics. And in 2010, she was Nagasu'd before even Nagasu was Nagasu'd - finishing 3rd at Nationals but missing out on the Olympics team in favor of Miki Ando who finished 4th at Nationals.
Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker - I can honestly say, my excitement for a US pairs team was never quite as high as it was for McLaughlin and Brubaker when they first splashed onto the scene. After sweeping every junior title in 06-07, they seemed poised to finally make US pairs internationally competitive. Breathtaking lifts and a big throw triple twist were really just first-rate. Unfortunately, in 2010, they imploded at Nationals and finished 5th, and Keauna retired shortly after. If Keauna decided to stick with it, I believe they could have been a very competitive team. ADDITIONALLY, had USFSA used its current criteria, they would have absolutely made the Olympic team in 2010. But alas, that was not the way of the skating gods.
This last one may be a bit premature, but considering the depth of the Russian field and her age, I'm also including:
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva - Any other country, any other olympic cycle, Tuktamysheva would be going to the olympics this year. Its crazy to think that a skater who was undefeated a few seasons ago, couldn't even make it out of her country's nationals and go back to worlds. Russia truly has an embarrassment of riches. I hope she'll stick it out and give us a few more seasons. Heck, I hope she can stick it out and maybe even make the olympics in 2022.
Alissa Czisny - She is, in my opinion, still the best spinner I have ever watched. Centered, fast, and elegantly positioned. Indeed, Alissa always had problems with consistency, but when she was on, she was on. It's crazy to think a former national champion and grand prix final champion never got her Olympic moment. Her Sabrina, Winter to Spring, and Dr. Zhivago programs are some of my favorites of all time.
Yukari Nakano - Sure, her leg wrap always annoyed the hell out of me, but there was no denying that Yukari had powerful jumps and a large presence on the ice. I loved watching her programs. And don't forget her triple axel. Unfortunately, in 2006, despite a strong grand prix showing, Yukari finished 5th at Nationals, and was not sent to the olympics. And in 2010, she was Nagasu'd before even Nagasu was Nagasu'd - finishing 3rd at Nationals but missing out on the Olympics team in favor of Miki Ando who finished 4th at Nationals.
Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker - I can honestly say, my excitement for a US pairs team was never quite as high as it was for McLaughlin and Brubaker when they first splashed onto the scene. After sweeping every junior title in 06-07, they seemed poised to finally make US pairs internationally competitive. Breathtaking lifts and a big throw triple twist were really just first-rate. Unfortunately, in 2010, they imploded at Nationals and finished 5th, and Keauna retired shortly after. If Keauna decided to stick with it, I believe they could have been a very competitive team. ADDITIONALLY, had USFSA used its current criteria, they would have absolutely made the Olympic team in 2010. But alas, that was not the way of the skating gods.
This last one may be a bit premature, but considering the depth of the Russian field and her age, I'm also including:
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva - Any other country, any other olympic cycle, Tuktamysheva would be going to the olympics this year. Its crazy to think that a skater who was undefeated a few seasons ago, couldn't even make it out of her country's nationals and go back to worlds. Russia truly has an embarrassment of riches. I hope she'll stick it out and give us a few more seasons. Heck, I hope she can stick it out and maybe even make the olympics in 2022.