sigh... i love watching juniors but it's love/hate for me... the reason... splits, retirements... not getting out as a senior... i got attached to some skaters.. not anymore... i thought i had learned my lesson but Jo Phan, whom I have been following since Juniors has vanished from the world standing list... so there... Emmy and Aissa split... Where is Conrad? Gogo was injured... and this is just a few Canadians... there are MANY more for instance Pitkeev, Samohin (not shining exactly as a Senior) Nadeau (moved to pairs) etc...
So yeah... I can see that if, as a fan, I am starting to not get too invested because the careers are very uncertain for junior skaters, that it may be a hard sell for the general public. It may also be hard to give more emphasis than what is there now with the JGP on youtube... which I find wonderful... I'd like to attend junior events but they are rarely held in Canada other than national or provincial events... (yes i know about upcoming Junior worlds... I am talking about JGP... most of them are in Europe).
So, as a fan, it's love/hate for me... as far as recognition... i am not sure what else can be done.... figure skating is already a niche sport for seniors... so I can see how it may be a hard sell. I am sorry, that's probably not the answer some are looking for here... I blame my post on the sad news that I may have lost both of my figure skating adopted (not really adopted) sons over the summer...
I was so sad when I saw pointed out elsewhere that Jo was not on the WS list, nor evidently that of Patinage Québec. Is there any news what happened? That is the danger of watching juniors: you see one you like, you get attached, you get excited, and then ... crickets. As someone who finds excitement in the growth of a skater over the years, it's very frustrating.
But sometimes it works out. I remember first watching and becoming entranced by Donovan Carrillo five years ago, when very few had heard of him, when a path out of Mexico to any kind of lasting career seemed almost impossible. And here we are.
Since I "came back" to skating in 2014, I am jealous of those who realized Jason's gift as a junior. But that's what YouTube is for.