Jenny Kirk retires

[Debbie S]

She's moving back to Boston to coach and attend broadcasting school.

http://www.usfigureskating.org/event_story.asp?id=30615

Looks like it's between Kimmie Meissner and Emily Hughes for the 3rd Olympic spot. I'd say Kimmie has the advantage.

[MQSeries]

Don't forget Bebe also. Although if Kimmi's 3axel is consistent this season, I'm incline to think that the judges would prefer to send her to the Olympic over Bebe.

[quarkiki2]

Can't say I'm terribly surprised, though I have always enjoyed watching her perform.

[Schmeck]

I'm a bit surprised that she didn't do this season, it being an Olympic one. Very happy to hear that she'll be coming back to New England, and that she's planning on coaching! There'll be some very lucky skaters in the Boston area!

[Mel On Ice]

I'm sorry for her to give up this dream on the cusp of an Olympic year, but I'm sure she is experiencing relief as well, esp. if the desire died in '01. All the best to her.

[snoopysnake]

Good for Jenny! She has made a courageous and mature decision. I also think that she made terrific progress in her skating in recent years. I'll miss her.

[Reverie81]

I'll miss seeing her skate too! She was a particular favorite of mine in the US circuit....But life will probably be more enjoyable without the stress of competition- perhaps we'll see her on tv again as a news anchor.

[Lark]

I was never a true fan of Jennys skating. I did not hate her performances, I just never felt anything from her.

I do, however, have soooo much respect for Jenny for deciding to retire now, rather than hanging on *JUST* to go to the Olympics, if it really was not that important to her anymore.

You go girl! :)

[skatewizard]

Any word yet on where she will be coaching or what school she will be attending?

[CanadianSkater]

I will always remember Jenny by her 2001 Trophee Lalique LP skate. It was awesome! We'll miss you Jenny!

[Live-a-little]

Good luck Jenny; I'll miss you. You always came across as an elegant, refined person to me. I only wish you the best in your future endeavours and I hope to see you on tv some day as a sports broadcaster - Cheers~ ;)

[Stormy]

A friend tells me she is coaching at the Haverhill-Salem FSC in Haverhill, MA.

[ilind]

I really cant believe that Jenny Kirk would retire from amateur skating. It is a total surprise to me, at least. I would like to know more details about her reasoning behind this decision.

[Schmeck]

I'd expect her to coach out of SCOB, but since Haverhill is so close to my home, that's nice to know! Maybe she'll show up in Exeter, Reading, etc!

[Robbyn74]

After I recently watched Skate America coverage on TV & heard about the injuries to some of the other top USA women, I began to wonder, could Jenny Kirk possibly reconsider her decision to retire??

I wish her nothing but the best in everything she does in the future, but she is such an elegant skater and she had improved so much over the last few years. I hope that I get to see her skate again in the future... :) :D

Robbyn
Hamilton, Ontario

[Lark]

After I recently watched Skate America coverage on TV & heard about the injuries to some of the other top USA women, I began to wonder, could Jenny Kirk possibly reconsider her decision to retire??



Well, from what I get from it, Jenny is retiring because she no longer has the ***desire*** to compete at this level. Not winning doesn't seem the bigger part.

Plus, the "injuries to some of the other top USA women" are the same "injuries" we have seen from the same women for the last 3 seasons. These "injuries" seem to heal nicely in time for Nationals. ;)