Will Michelle retire after 2006 season?

[Lark]

Everyone is saying that Michelle will most likely retire after 2006 Worlds, or even the Olympics, considering the outcome.

Is there any chance that she will stick around until 2010?

Heck, finishing 4th at Worlds last year is still pretty good.

And Todd, Maria and Elvis stuck around till near-30, with varying, sometimes impressive, results.

Just a topic to ponder on the off-season, and please, no bashing.

[Emanfan]

Well, she could skate forever as far as I'm concerned. I think she's great (although Irina is my favourite).

However, I doubt you will see her in amateur competition post-Olys; what an amazing run she had.

[prunes89]

I always thought she should've retired after one shot at the Olympics. Then I saw that Irina never did. She is still trying for the gold and it will be her 3rd attempt just like Michelle. It will also be Sasha's 2nd attempt at the Olympics and that is what really made me change my mind with how long the skaters should try. Its amazing that Michelle will be considered a medal contendor at the 3 Olympics she has been at I don't know if any one else was considered a contendor in all the Olympics they went to.
I dont think Michelle will win. I know this is Sasha's to lose. I hope that Sasha does her 3/3's that she is so great at doing and blows the competition away.
Oh, I do think Michelle will retire. I dont think she'll stay for a 4th try. I also think Sasha will retire as the Olympic gold winner. :bow:

[shadymc]

Michelle has said she was considering staying until 2007. I don't know why she picked this year, as there are no records that she would break or anything. I think she'll retire after Torino.

As for Sasha, she recently said she feel she could go on for another 10 years. I think she will retire if she wins in '06. If not, I think she'll compete until 2010. I don't think she has really come into her own yet and I would like to see how she'll do against a new crops of skaters. Unless something changes by next season, I think there is no way anybody's gonna beat Irina in '06.

[galaxybounce]

I think that michelle will leave after these Olympics. The reasons are simple. If the old system had stayed on then she might have kept going. Now that the skaters are judged more fairly and less on REPUTATION they have a lot bigger chance at taking her down. Now don't get me wrong Kwan is a great skater but she's done the same program for way too long. If she wants to win the Olympics then she is fooling herself that she can win with her current repertoire. She WILL have to make a long list of improvments. I think she has a bit of a shot at getting third if she can skate well. Sorry but that's the cold hard truth.

[likes2skate]

I think that michelle will leave after these Olympics. The reasons are simple. If the old system had stayed on then she might have kept going. Now that the skaters are judged more fairly and less on REPUTATION they have a lot bigger chance at taking her down. Now don't get me wrong Kwan is a great skater but she's done the same program for way too long. If she wants to win the Olympics then she is fooling herself that she can win with her current repertoire. She WILL have to make a long list of improvments. I think she has a bit of a shot at getting third if she can skate well. Sorry but that's the cold hard truth.


MK placed 3rd in the SP and LP and worlds, with programs that were not COP friendly and that were not skated well...so I see your statement as just your opinion, not cold hard truth. :D

[icedancer2]

I think that michelle will leave after these Olympics. The reasons are simple. If the old system had stayed on then she might have kept going. Now that the skaters are judged more fairly and less on REPUTATION they have a lot bigger chance at taking her down. Now don't get me wrong Kwan is a great skater but she's done the same program for way too long. If she wants to win the Olympics then she is fooling herself that she can win with her current repertoire. She WILL have to make a long list of improvments. I think she has a bit of a shot at getting third if she can skate well. Sorry but that's the cold hard truth.

And I TOTALLY agree!!

Of course, we will just have to wait the long 7 months to see what happens next!

Ah, the off-season speculation... :giveup:

[galaxybounce]

Thank you ice dancer LOL and yes it is just my opinion that michelle won't be able to get much more than third at olympics. I just wish that she would kick it into high gear. IF she could skate like she did to red voilin at worlds 2002(?) then I think she could get that gold. She just has to go into her jumps with more speed and attack. Spins have to get more advanced and faster. Footwork interesting and quick. If she can do that then my hat is off to her she will be a truely great athlete. Sasha is my favorite skater even though she isn't great at jumping she does have great spins and has good speed.... well I could go on about this more later...