Jeffrey Buttle has retired
- Thread starter sheilagh
- Start date
Jeff is among my favorite skaters and I will miss seeing him compete so, so much.
I was shocked by the news since his new music was announced and the GP's so it seemed like he was going forward --- I really, really hope injury is not in the equation, but wish Buttle well in everything he does! Truly a an expressive skater with so much 'foot work' (literally he just kept moving those feet) and intricacy and detail --- and that ina bauer - oh, i miss him already!
I was shocked by the news since his new music was announced and the GP's so it seemed like he was going forward --- I really, really hope injury is not in the equation, but wish Buttle well in everything he does! Truly a an expressive skater with so much 'foot work' (literally he just kept moving those feet) and intricacy and detail --- and that ina bauer - oh, i miss him already!
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2003
I remember when he first came into view and I said 'methinks the Canadians have another special skater'. The last time I viewed Jeff was in Gotenborg with a nail biting finish to win the Gold. All praises to him.
- Joined
- Jun 18, 2008
You're so lucky. I only started following figure skating early this year, so I never got to see Jeff compete live. I thought this year's SC was going to be my first glimpse, but alas, it was not meant to be...
Jeffrey Buttle has retired.
I'm with all the others who will miss him. Thanks Jeff, for the memories!
How refreshing that he actually announced his retirement and didn't jump on the "I'm taking a year off and keeping my options open" bandwagon.
He was always an impressive individual.
Dizzy
I'm with all the others who will miss him. Thanks Jeff, for the memories!
How refreshing that he actually announced his retirement and didn't jump on the "I'm taking a year off and keeping my options open" bandwagon.
He was always an impressive individual.
Dizzy
Hoping he will continue to have every possible opportunity to keep a visible profile in the sport.
It goes without saying that his skating was wonderful to behold, but I'll say that what I will remember in equal measure... is his character. I thought he handled both positive and difficult situations, with such clarity and grace. While I haven't either seen a tape or a transcript of the media interviews of the medalists following worlds, it certainly seems that he convinced the world's (probably cynical) media, that he was able to respond to criticisms of not having a quad but still winning, with the right balance of firmness and total class.
In these off-ice ways... I think he is sooo much a role model for young athletes (not just skaters). The 'next generation' will be well served if he has every opportunity to grace their presence.
Jeff Buttle... a world class athlete... a world class gentleman.
It goes without saying that his skating was wonderful to behold, but I'll say that what I will remember in equal measure... is his character. I thought he handled both positive and difficult situations, with such clarity and grace. While I haven't either seen a tape or a transcript of the media interviews of the medalists following worlds, it certainly seems that he convinced the world's (probably cynical) media, that he was able to respond to criticisms of not having a quad but still winning, with the right balance of firmness and total class.
In these off-ice ways... I think he is sooo much a role model for young athletes (not just skaters). The 'next generation' will be well served if he has every opportunity to grace their presence.
Jeff Buttle... a world class athlete... a world class gentleman.
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2007
Wow, I always thought he's only retire after Vancouver. Though I guess retiring as reigning world champion is a good way to end his skating career. I'm glad that he was so clear about his decision though, it's refreshing when most skaters nowadays just drop out of the skating scene without clearly explaining if they'll ever be back.
oh no, i was lookin forward to seeing him again this season, he is one of my favorite skaters:-(
i wish him all the best in his future plans!!!
what and amazing person he is, and what a wondefull career he has had!
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With all the respect to Jeff's personal decision, am I the only one who feels that it is far tooooooooooooo early to finish such a great career? 
Come on Jeff, you have so much to show us.. You were so happy about winter games in 2010..
I agree, that it is great to leave after winnig the WC, but isn't it great too, to stay and show more? I have the feeling that you were at the competitive stage for too short and you just started revealing your full potential.
Well, you have your reasons, I am not arguing with your decision, I am just very sad not to see you competing any more. Good luck with everything! I am sure, that being such a wonderful person, you will achieve all you want in other areas.
Could not be said better.
Come on Jeff, you have so much to show us.. You were so happy about winter games in 2010.. I agree, that it is great to leave after winnig the WC, but isn't it great too, to stay and show more? I have the feeling that you were at the competitive stage for too short and you just started revealing your full potential.
Well, you have your reasons, I am not arguing with your decision, I am just very sad not to see you competing any more. Good luck with everything! I am sure, that being such a wonderful person, you will achieve all you want in other areas.
Could not be said better.
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2003
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2003
from another article he said he gave this decision a lot of thought and talked to other retired Canadian skaters (I think the article mentioned Jen Robinson, Brian Orser, and Kurt Browning) to gather more info... so it's not like he just woke up and decided to do this... he probably struggled with the decision for a while.
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2007
Just admire Jeff so much for, as others have noted, coming out and making a definite statement about his retirement.
There might possibly be an injury or some other unannounced issue going on, I suppose, but I certainly feel the reasons he's given are adequate. I can completely understand wanting to go out on top. I can also understand realizing that that "once-in-a-lifetime" skate is usually, indeed, once in a lifetime. I can completely understand wanting to end on that shining moment. Hasn't Scotty said many times in the past that he wished his Oly gold had been won from his best free skate? And didn't Kristi say, even with Lillehammer only 2 years after Albertville, that nothing could ever be Albertville again for her?
So, in short, I completely "buy" Jeff's stated reasons for retiring and hope he doesn't have any injury or anything else going on that influenced his decision.
A class act all the way around.
There might possibly be an injury or some other unannounced issue going on, I suppose, but I certainly feel the reasons he's given are adequate. I can completely understand wanting to go out on top. I can also understand realizing that that "once-in-a-lifetime" skate is usually, indeed, once in a lifetime. I can completely understand wanting to end on that shining moment. Hasn't Scotty said many times in the past that he wished his Oly gold had been won from his best free skate? And didn't Kristi say, even with Lillehammer only 2 years after Albertville, that nothing could ever be Albertville again for her?
So, in short, I completely "buy" Jeff's stated reasons for retiring and hope he doesn't have any injury or anything else going on that influenced his decision.
A class act all the way around.
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2007
For those still in mourning
2008 Worlds LP Ararat ver2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKEG1y7AHVQ
2008 Worlds SP "Adios Nonino"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-CK6SOi9HM
2007 Nationals LP Ararat ver1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juVFTUndIL0
2006 Olympics LP Samson & Delilah
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fi1BG5l0zJQ
2005 Nationals LP Naqoyqatsi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxxjmF5CVL8
2005 Skate Canada LP Glenn Gould Tribute
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ay_0iZwgjU
He was having a bad day out there, but he fought through.
Glenn Gould was an eccentric, one of a kind pianist
Jeff buttle visa commercial in French
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Vx87Hh9eqM&feature=related
2008 Worlds LP Ararat ver2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKEG1y7AHVQ
2008 Worlds SP "Adios Nonino"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-CK6SOi9HM
2007 Nationals LP Ararat ver1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juVFTUndIL0
2006 Olympics LP Samson & Delilah
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fi1BG5l0zJQ
2005 Nationals LP Naqoyqatsi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxxjmF5CVL8
2005 Skate Canada LP Glenn Gould Tribute
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ay_0iZwgjU
He was having a bad day out there, but he fought through.
Glenn Gould was an eccentric, one of a kind pianist
Jeff buttle visa commercial in French
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Vx87Hh9eqM&feature=related
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2005
A thoughtful collection . . . thank you. JW
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2008
Thank you fumie_fumie!
I am so sad. In some ways however, I think this is right. He is a great skater. He could be amazing at shows. He already has an Olympic medal and Wrold title. His career has been great. He should leave with no regrets.
If there is one time to leave, it is when you are on top!
I am so sad. In some ways however, I think this is right. He is a great skater. He could be amazing at shows. He already has an Olympic medal and Wrold title. His career has been great. He should leave with no regrets.
If there is one time to leave, it is when you are on top!
A little late to this thread, but just wanted to say I was not terribly surprised by the news (though a little sad, since Buttle is one of my all-time favourites, and I don't think anybody is a naturally musical as he is and I'll miss watching him).
Last season's World Championship win was the pinnacle of his great career, and really did feel like a capper. He didn't just win, he won definitively, with possibly the two greatest programmes he's ever strung together. I can see why he'd want to go out on top — not just podium-wise, but also psychologically. He's struggled with injuries over the last several years, and never gotten the quad down. I've thought he's sounded a little tired in the last couple of seasons, and was really stretching to try to stay in reasonably good form for Vancouver.
It's also not like he's leaving Canada bereft of talented men. Chan is a worthy successor who I think will be doing great things. And there are a number of other men who could come out of the shadows.
He's been at or near the top for a lot of years now. Thankyou Jeff for so many wonderful performances and memories.
Last season's World Championship win was the pinnacle of his great career, and really did feel like a capper. He didn't just win, he won definitively, with possibly the two greatest programmes he's ever strung together. I can see why he'd want to go out on top — not just podium-wise, but also psychologically. He's struggled with injuries over the last several years, and never gotten the quad down. I've thought he's sounded a little tired in the last couple of seasons, and was really stretching to try to stay in reasonably good form for Vancouver.
It's also not like he's leaving Canada bereft of talented men. Chan is a worthy successor who I think will be doing great things. And there are a number of other men who could come out of the shadows.
He's been at or near the top for a lot of years now. Thankyou Jeff for so many wonderful performances and memories.
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