- Joined
- Apr 3, 2014
When is the like "end date" in pais skating? At what age do pairs usually retire? Because they are in their late twenties right? Or isn't Max already 30 or something?
I'd be surprised if they compete past the next Olympics, 2018. They need to, at some point, leave room for the up- and coming skaters....
That is usually me who is pesimistic by pretending being realistic ;P But, guys, did you forgot who became Olympic champions in Vancouver? Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo, after two seasons break, 31 and 36 years of age, setting two world records (for short program and combined total score). Nothing's impossible then ;D
I'm not even convinced that they will make it to 2018. That is, they have achieved their goal. Do they really need a 2nd gold medal? Perhaps they do, but 2018 is pretty far off...
To tell the truth, they've already had 2nd gold medal. In newspapers they are usually called "two times Olympic champions". Well, I don't think Team Event is equal to individual competition but they have a right to this title. I just wonder how many pairs have two Olympic champions titles - Gordeeva/Grinkov, Belousova/Protopopov, Brunet/Brunet, Rodnina/Zaitsev (Rodnina herself has 3 Olympic titles), Artur Dmitriev has two titles. They have already made a history, haven't they?
Things like that.... and all the skaters also say : I don't think further than next season.
And frankly said you can't really plan further.
But many skaters do. I don't know if Tania and Max will be able to compete in Pyeongchang, but look at Pang/Tong. They decided to stay in sport until Sochi despite that judges didn't like them as much as they like some other pairs ;P and try. They finished fourth, one mistake less and podium would have been theirs once again. They still were able to have gorgeous throw jumps, spins and lifts at 4th level.
then Liza just disappeared last season.
Liza had and still has a serious injury. I hope Tania and Max will stay health