Plushenko and Bonaly's comeback's

[russell30]

I was a bit weary hearing Plushenko's return and I was annoyed to think that the Russian Federation have paid him a lot of money to return. It seems that the federations are meddling too much and that the ISU should crack down on things like this. Plushenko said he is coming back to help the Russain men back on track but surely you would come back on your own terms and not the federations. I mean this guy has already won olympic, world and european titles - does he really want to come back - no i think its the lure of the money.

There was at one time speculation that the french federation were going to ask Surya to comeback beacuse of their woes in the french ladies at the moment, although it would be nice to see Surya, I think she is doing a great job on the pro circuit and I think Surya would certainly have more sense not to comeback than Evgeni.

But my point is why do Federations get away with what they get away with, as always so political

 

[SeaniBu]

I would think this "comeback stuff" after announcements of "retiring" is not the best thing for the "general populous opinion" of FS. This does not happen very often at all in other sports - yes sometimes, but not usually the top name in particular saying retire then comes back. I think the skaters should just be a little more reluctant than they are in using the word in particular. After all this isn't Rocky Balboa.

eta, but if they are strong enough and still have the "touch" all the power to them -even if money is an issue, whatever. Talented enough to make the cash in the first place you have every right to come back. Just why is the "retire" word thrown around so often?

 

[attyfan]

Did Plushenko actually say he was "retiring", or did he just say he is taking a year off? Also, why is the idea of "coming back" so horrible? Todd Eldredge took two years off between Nagano and SLC; got a Nat silver, a Nat gold and a World bronze, in addition to his other medals. S/Z came back after injury to win another world title. Why not Plush?

I'm beginning to feel sorry for skaters -- if they don't take time off, they risk injury; if they do take time off -- even with the intent of returning, we retire them -- even before they may want to do so.

 

[SeaniBu]

Did Plushenko actually say he was "retiring", or did he just say he is taking a year off? .

Now I don't know, it may have just been posts I read. ????

 

[alessandro]

Is there an article about Surya?

 

[Ptichka]

1. Plushenko is not doing this for money. Period. Russian federation cannot pay him enough to make eligible career more lucrative than a professional one at this point for him.

2. Why on earth should ISU crack down on anything?! For all I care, the Protopopovs can come back to represent Switzerland (OK, that's something ISU did not allow when the Worlds were taking place there a few years ago)! Did anyone ever want Michael Jordan to retire to allow some young ball players to have a chance? So why should figure skating be any different!

 

[jennylovskt]

I never heard Plushenko saying to retire from competitions. All he said was he wanted to take a year off. He always wanted to go to Vancouver in 2010. I think some media implied that he might retire and never come back.

 

[SeaniBu]

I never heard Plushenko saying to retire from competitions. All he said was he wanted to take a year off. He always wanted to go to Vancouver in 2010. I think some media implied that he might retire and never come back.

Thanks, I was a "media baby" on that one I guess.*shrugs*

 

[Tonichelle]

Did anyone ever want Michael Jordan to retire to allow some young ball players to have a chance? So why should figure skating be any different!

it amazes me that some of the fans on this board who think skating needs to go more mainstream complain about the 'comebacks'

there's just no pleasing some people...

that being said - Surya won't do any better (and probably a whole lot worse) if she came back now... she's still about as artistic as a rock.

 

[anya_angie]

This does not happen very often at all in other sports - yes sometimes, but not usually the top name in particular saying retire then comes back.

Are you kidding???? I lost count of how many times Lemieux retired and came back and retired and came back...

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I doubt very much if Surya has plans for a comeback. I liked her. Lots of gutsy moves and without a balletic-like body, and the most difficult thing is that she skated to her own choreography

Evgeny's comeback is fine. He has a right to do what he wants. I don't understand the difference between eligible and non eligible anyway.

Joe

 

[gio]

it amazes me that some of the fans on this board who think skating needs to go more mainstream complain about the 'comebacks'

there's just no pleasing some people...

that being said - Surya won't do any better (and probably a whole lot worse) if she came back now... she's still about as artistic as a rock.

Well said!! I think that there is nothing wrong in returning after the so called "retirement".

About Surya - if she returns I'm sure she will do better than the actual French girls. She can be in the top5 at Euros and top15 at Worlds. She will bring some diversity to eligible skating with her gutsy moves and particular style.

 

[krenseby]

:
that being said - Surya won't do any better (and probably a whole lot worse) if she came back now... she's still about as artistic as a rock.

I think Surya has become very artistic in her pro years. Now, she is still not elegant, doesn't have the best basic skills, line, and carriage but she has certainly proven that she can skate to the music and with complicated choreography..

 

[Tonichelle]

*cocked eyebrow* I find her programs extremely empty and very much the same each season

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Nothing wrong with a different opinion.

 

[gkelly]

I have no idea what the current state of Bonaly's skating is, and therefore how well she might or might not place if she were to return to eligible competition.

However, she has lost her eligibility for ISU competition, and there are no current means available for her to be reinstated, so it is not going to happen at any time in the foreseeable future.

 

[Kasey]

Thank you gkelly, that is kind of what I was thinking regarding Surya's eligibility. And I agree, she has the artistic presence of a rock. And poor basic skating. Top 15 at worlds, top 5 at Euros would be I think a very unrealistic stretch of imagination for her.

 

[gio]

top 5 at Euros would be I think a very unrealistic stretch of imagination for her.

With the weak European field this year, I think that a top5 would have been possible for her. Who could have challenged her? Caro, Sarah, Susana and Kiira. That's all!! Marchei and Drei maybe also. The others no. Sokolova and Sebestyen did a mess, same with Elene.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I have no idea what the current state of Bonaly's skating is, and therefore how well she might or might not place if she were to return to eligible competition.

However, she has lost her eligibility for ISU competition, and there are no current means available for her to be reinstated, so it is not going to happen at any time in the foreseeable future.

A little OT but important. How does one lose their eligibility? It certainly doesn't mean making money from show biz. Is it by determination of the Federation?

Joe

 

[Kasey]

I am pretty sure that to compete in a "non-sanctioned by ISU" event (competition, like the World Pro's, Ice Wars, World team challenge) is to give up eligibility. I'm not sure what other restrictions are on it.