- Joined
- Sep 22, 2010
Now that the season is over, I think it's time for some off-season speculation. In this thread I want to focus on the future of the currently ISU eligible ladies skaters, who generally tend to have the shortest careers. There have been many "old" skaters from the last quadrennial who have stuck around so far, and it would be interesting just to see how long they continue and what their prospects are.
Joannie Rochette did not compete this season, but she hasn't officially retired yet. She's already 25 years old now so I don't think we'll see her in Sochi, but perhaps one more Worlds. She still hasn't won a World title and I suspect she may still have motivation to go for one. 2013 could be her best chance, as it will be in Canada.
Carolina Kostner is only a year younger than Joannie, and is the only other lady who stood on the podium in the last five Worlds with Mao, Miki and Yuna. She's not the most consistent skater, but the judges have considered her best skates to be medal worthy even against the formidable trio. So close to a World title a couple of times, she my be itching to try again for gold. Next year could be her best chance, as it will be in France. But Sochi is practically out of the question for her, too.
Miki now has two World titles. About a year younger than Carolina, she's one of the three women who have dominated the ladies field in the last five years. I believe she announced she would take a year off, but has not said anything about retirement. She may come back for 2013. But by then she could be up against a very formidable field that year. And I question her motivation because she's already got two World titles. More than enough to be satisfied with in retirement.
Mao Asada, I have very little doubt she'll stick around until Sochi. She said that's her long term goal and I believe her. The only question is whether she might take a break, and just how much we can see her improve in the years to come. I hope she takes it easy and not put too much pressure on herself. One way to do this would be to ignore the 3A for a year and just focus on everything else. Even without that 3A, she's more than good enough to win against anyone. She may need it in Sochi, though, if the Russians girls make it through puberty and explode onto the Senior ranks.
Yuna Kim is a big mystery. I'm not sure why she has continued to compete after her Olympic victory. She's now done two Worlds after her Olympic gold, which is more than any Olympic champ since Katarina Witt. Something tells me she might stick around until Sochi. So if she gets over her post-Olympic letdown and gets her competitive fire back for the long haul, it would be quite something to see her again in Russia.
Your thoughts? Any other "oldie" retiring or sticking around?
Joannie Rochette did not compete this season, but she hasn't officially retired yet. She's already 25 years old now so I don't think we'll see her in Sochi, but perhaps one more Worlds. She still hasn't won a World title and I suspect she may still have motivation to go for one. 2013 could be her best chance, as it will be in Canada.
Carolina Kostner is only a year younger than Joannie, and is the only other lady who stood on the podium in the last five Worlds with Mao, Miki and Yuna. She's not the most consistent skater, but the judges have considered her best skates to be medal worthy even against the formidable trio. So close to a World title a couple of times, she my be itching to try again for gold. Next year could be her best chance, as it will be in France. But Sochi is practically out of the question for her, too.
Miki now has two World titles. About a year younger than Carolina, she's one of the three women who have dominated the ladies field in the last five years. I believe she announced she would take a year off, but has not said anything about retirement. She may come back for 2013. But by then she could be up against a very formidable field that year. And I question her motivation because she's already got two World titles. More than enough to be satisfied with in retirement.
Mao Asada, I have very little doubt she'll stick around until Sochi. She said that's her long term goal and I believe her. The only question is whether she might take a break, and just how much we can see her improve in the years to come. I hope she takes it easy and not put too much pressure on herself. One way to do this would be to ignore the 3A for a year and just focus on everything else. Even without that 3A, she's more than good enough to win against anyone. She may need it in Sochi, though, if the Russians girls make it through puberty and explode onto the Senior ranks.
Yuna Kim is a big mystery. I'm not sure why she has continued to compete after her Olympic victory. She's now done two Worlds after her Olympic gold, which is more than any Olympic champ since Katarina Witt. Something tells me she might stick around until Sochi. So if she gets over her post-Olympic letdown and gets her competitive fire back for the long haul, it would be quite something to see her again in Russia.
Your thoughts? Any other "oldie" retiring or sticking around?