Kaetlyn Osmond will not compete during the 2018-19 season

[TGee]

This has been posted before, but I believe it is essential context...

CBC's "Inside an athlete's head" interview. She talks frankly about the ongoing impact of traumatic injury.

https://watch.cbc.ca/media/inside-an-athletes-head/season-1/episode-3/38e815a-00dd1cc483b

 

[evasorange]

it's like Kaetlyn is saying "well, I'll never beat Alina and/or Evgenia again so I won't try to win Worlds again." It's just disappointing, like if Mao had retired after 2010 or Michelle after 1998.

She won’t though, that’s the sad thing. At least not both at once. And through no fault of her own! Had Alina only fallen once she still most likely would have gotten gold. It takes utter meltdowns for whoever the golden Russian child is that season for the judges to let them finish off the podium. Being an older women in skating must be so incredibly hard. I can’t even blame for for thinking that a world gold and Olympic bronze is her peak. With the way judging is it is almost assuredly is. Women’s skating has become the land of teens unfortunately.

 

[andromache]

She won’t though, that’s the sad thing. At least not both at once. And through no fault of her own! Had Alina only fallen once she still most likely would have gotten gold. It takes utter meltdowns for whoever the golden Russian child is that season for the judges to let them finish off the podium. Being an older women in skating must be so incredibly hard. I can’t even blame for for thinking that a world gold and Olympic bronze is her peak. With the way judging is it is almost assuredly is. Women’s skating has become the land of teens unfortunately.

I hate this attitude. Especially for this season. Without the excess backloading from Alina, Evgenia's coaching change (which could affect her consistency), and the new GOE rules on elements, I actually think this would be the perfect time for Kaetlyn to capitalize on her Worlds win. New GOE rules would probably benefit Kaetlyn overall, and the limit on backloading limits Alina's TES ceiling.

(Making a comeback next season after Eteri's current juniors have moved up? That seems like a bad idea.)

Not to mention that we do see post-pubescent ladies like Bradie Tennell making a push to up their technical game, so it's possible for Kaetlyn to do the same. If she doesn't want to, that's fine. If she's tired and wants to do other things, I get it. But giving up once you've reached the very top for the first time? It gives me "defeatist" vibes.

 

[Sabrina]

Honestly, I think Kaetlyn could have won without much falling from competition, provided she herself made absolutely no mistakes, and no uncertain edge for that Lz. The GOE for a perfect program would be high, high and incontestable. Neither Alina, nor Evgenia have the same quality in jumping and choreographic passes. Yes, Alina had an insane program, and she could have won without mistakes. But we come back to mistakes. Kaeltlyn won because she did far less mistakes than Alina. Can K.O do flawless programs consistently? I can't remember if she ever did.

 

[Tanager]

If she's struggling with motivation, then finding success during this season is going to be a real struggle too. It's as simple as that.
Good for Kaetlyn for pressing pause and really discerning her sense of call and purpose going forward. Selfishly, I hope her fire for competitive skating is restoked; but if not, she's had a marvelous career marked by great determination, perseverance and achievement. Well done, KO, and thanks for all the joy you've brought your fans.

 

[kwanatic]

Good for her. There are other things outside of skating to pursue so I'm happy she's taking some time off. If by chance she doesn't come back, I think she'd be happy to say she went out on top.

I do feel like she has more to offer but not everyone wants to stack titles for years and years. Kaetlyn's past two seasons have been unbelievable considering most people didn't think she'd ever pull herself together. She won world silver and gold and Olympic gold and bronze as well as half a dozen other medals...she's eclipsed most people's entire career in just two seasons. That may be enough for her. If it is I'll be sad b/c I think she's an amazing skater and I'd love to see more from her, but I respect the fact that a lot of life happens outside of this sport. It's a very time/life consuming commitment so I can understand her wanting a break to enjoy what else life has to offer.

I'll definitely miss her and I hope she eventually comes back. For now, I hope she enjoys her time off.

 

[Skater Boy]

I got the vibe that she was iffy for this season when we saw her at a seminar.....she was saying that she was struggling with her training going through a rough patch. Given she was taking Grand Prix off, I didn't think it entirely a stretch that she would take the season off to evaluate.

We saw her walking around at a competition over the weekend but she wasn't competing - I believe she was there for her boyfriend, Trennt Michaud. Maybe she wants to spend more time with him since he trains with his partner in Ontario and she trains out in Edmonton. Who knows though - she just may be physically exhausted.

I think this might be the beginning of the end. Retirement is around the corner. She earned and delivered an amazing season and she knows it is hard to repeat a world title let a lone an oly medal. Though despite Canada's current challenges it will challenge for an olympic medal in the team competition. she might stay on for another team medal??? Kind of like Buttle a surprise world gold and he wanted to retire on top. Alaine Chartrand must be jumping for joy. Now Canada could fall down to one lady? this is great news of the USA.

 

[Crossover]

So sorry to hear that. I expected her to compete at Nationals, 4CC and Worlds. She is an exciting skater to be able to shake up the field with her talent, but I understand why she opts to sit out from the whole season. I hope she spends her time usefully.

 

[daphenaxa]

I guess the motivation is less after winning worlds and olympic bronze and she might be exhausted but i'm sad because i felt she was getting it together competition after competition last season building up her consistency and confidence (which were the things she was missing before) so i was excited to see her this season. She also has a very powerful skating combined with nice lines and skating skills, which is a style of skating that we won't have this season without her.
Tbh i don't think it's a fear of competition or not being able to win against whoever, she is probably lacking personal motivation.

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

Big time bummer...she will be missed! Will this terrible offseason ever end :curse:

 

[Lamente Ariane]

She won’t though, that’s the sad thing. At least not both at once. And through no fault of her own! Had Alina only fallen once she still most likely would have gotten gold. It takes utter meltdowns for whoever the golden Russian child is that season for the judges to let them finish off the podium. Being an older women in skating must be so incredibly hard. I can’t even blame for for thinking that a world gold and Olympic bronze is her peak. With the way judging is it is almost assuredly is. Women’s skating has become the land of teens unfortunately.

Never say never. Alina didn't "utterly melt down" in the short at Worlds and yet Carolina Kostner edged ahead of her. If Kaetlyn had been clean then, with the momentum of the Olympic bronze, who knows how high her score might have been. Plus there's a new system and we haven't seen for sure who it favors yet.

 

[evasorange]

I hate this attitude. Especially for this season. Without the excess backloading from Alina, Evgenia's coaching change (which could affect her consistency), and the new GOE rules on elements, I actually think this would be the perfect time for Kaetlyn to capitalize on her Worlds win. New GOE rules would probably benefit Kaetlyn overall, and the limit on backloading limits Alina's TES ceiling.

(Making a comeback next season after Eteri's current juniors have moved up? That seems like a bad idea.)

Not to mention that we do see post-pubescent ladies like Bradie Tennell making a push to up their technical game, so it's possible for Kaetlyn to do the same. If she doesn't want to, that's fine. If she's tired and wants to do other things, I get it. But giving up once you've reached the very top for the first time? It gives me "defeatist" vibes.

I guess I don’t look at it as Giving up, more like being realistic about the reality of judging in women’s figure skating, and how a skater would weigh the pros and cons of that into their decision. Remember worlds 2017 in the short program when Kaetlyn laid down a basically perfect program and was still 3 points behind Evgenia? I believe Kaetlyn could still be just as good this season as she was last. But it took literally a just about perfect performance to get a Olympic bronze and a absent Evegenia and a total meltdown Alina to get that worlds gold. I’m not trying to diminishing Kaetlyns skills at all by saying that. If I had my way she would have gotten the Olympic Gold. But judging favors Alina and Evegenia every time they step out on that ice. The other skaters basically have to count on them making mistakes if they want to win. It’s a just a fact. I don’t see that stoping with the new rule changes * I hope Kaetlyn comes back someday I really do! But We'll have to see

 

[yume]

I knew it. Song of retirement.

 

[Colonel Green]

Now Canada could fall down to one lady?

I mean, anything could happen, but no, that's not likely. Gabby's made the top ten in the last three Worlds.

 

[andromache]

I guess I don’t look at it as Giving up, more like being realistic about the reality of judging in women’s figure skating, and how a skater would weigh the pros and cons of that into their decision. Remember worlds 2017 in the short program when Kaetlyn laid down a basically perfect program and was still 3 points behind Evgenia?

Alina had a major TES advantage, partially due to backloading. Evgenia had a major reputation advantage as defending World champ + her overall consistency and momentum, as well as some backloading advantage (less than Alina's, of course). With much less of a backloading TES advantage and a World title reputation boost, Kaetlyn could be as competitive as Alina and Evgenia this season, if she wanted to be. She doesn't want to be.

Saying that Alina and Evgenia are forever out of reach is ridiculous. Alina isn't exactly a consistency queen, and new jump GOEs favor jumpers like Kaetlyn over jumpers like Evgenia, not to mention that Kaetlyn would probably get PCS at their level as well due to reputation. Alina and Evgenia were "favored" by judges for a combination of TES prowess, consistency, and reputation (and being from a big, powerful federation helps, too). Kaetlyn would be at their level this season in terms of judging "favoritism," IMO, and there's really no reason to believe otherwise.

 

[yume]

I agree that Osmond could have get the same potential scoring than Zagitova and Medvedeva this season, as she was not already too far last season (extremely high GOEs and PCS). But i think the main issue is her consistency. She always does many mistakes in the first part of the season and manage to peak at the end of the season (even if she stills make mistakes). Maybe she thinks that she is at her physical limits and that it will be more difficult for her to peak at the right time.

 

[Elucidus]

Kaetlyn would be at their level this season in terms of judging "favoritism," IMO, and there's really no reason to believe otherwise.

Actually it's debatable. Considering she wanted initially skip GP events - it would mean that all this time Alina/Evgenia and her other competitors would build their reputation with judges through winning medals and polishing their programs. By the time she would decided to return and present her new program - there would be some gap in momentum between them. Even clean program will never get you full marks if judges are seeing it first or second time or if they didn't see you all season.

 

[BillNeal]

It looks like people have already concluded what KO will do before she has even had time to reflect on her future plans ...stay far away from GS KO, if you haven't already .

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

I guess the motivation is less after winning worlds and olympic bronze and she might be exhausted but i'm sad because i felt she was getting it together competition after competition last season building up her consistency and confidence (which were the things she was missing before) so i was excited to see her this season.

Me too. She's probably my favorite of the active skaters, along with Caro, but these skaters have to put their lives on hold just to keep up with the field. No late nights out with friends, no eating whatever you want, training through injuries, etc. I imagine it would be hard to stay motivated to make those sacrifices just to pursue achievements you've already accomplished. Winning medals is fun, but the 99% of the time athletes aren't on competitive ice probably isn't fun.

 

[Yatagarasu]

Mistake, if she wants to keep competing. If she ends up returning she is going to walk in at a really challenging moment, while the 'old' Russians and Japanese are still there, without having truly capitalized on GWM.

If she's done, then she has already achieved so much in her career that she can walk out with a huge smile on her face. In any case, best of luck to her!