My disappointments:
Discovering the eye-opening beauty of Eman in the Worlds SP...only to watch him fall right out of medal contention
Lambiel not medaling at Worlds
Realizing qualis are never televised, anywhere

Discovering the eye-opening beauty of Sasha Abt...a couple of events before he announces his retirement

No Yukina at Worlds

BTW, lavender, I think all great, complete skaters experience the "growing pains" to get to an improved level of consistency without compromising choreography. I have faith in Sasha's ability to keep the past in the past and continue making progress towards better, more consistent programs with the complex choreography that brings out her strengths, namely progress in reining in her nerves (she did do a flawless Swan Lake at Campbell's to begin the season)...if not in Robin Wagner's choreography...which brings me to my NEXT disappointment...
Robin Wagner's Swan Puddle!!!!! (TM Rgirl

)
One fall in an otherwise beautiful SP for Shen & Zhao
Vika's troubles
Let me not go on, as it was not that disappointing a season--if anything, it was quite the thriller!
Sarah
p.s. much as I love Alexei, I'm not disappointed by his retirement; I think Alexei was meant to shine at the very top of his sport, exhibiting an improving caliber of technical and artistic abilities that culminated in SLC, capping off a dream career, a very full career of highs, lows, and tremendous accomplishment, not to mention setting a new standard in men's skating (as opposed to men's figure jumping). Alexei had the 1-2 punch, and though so much jumping inevitably takes its toll on the body, as a fan, I wouldn't have had it any other way (him going out swinging--and winning--with the tough stuff and wonderful artistry), and I don't think he would have either. Had he stayed in, we would have seen a much more fallible Alexei, in decline (how does one maintain that sort of excellence that is so taxing on the body for a few more Worlds, let alone a second Olympics), and being the champion he is, I don't think he would have wanted to go out like that, never mind the fact that he wouldn't have had enough left in the tank to continue skating with SOI, with less difficult technical content but still allowing him, and us as fans, to enjoy his skating.
