B&S may not compete in Grand Prix/Turn Pro

[Dustin]

They may not every compete in the amatuer ranks again, from BOI:
http://www.bladesonice.com/mag/blaweb1.htm (Scroll down)

[Orable]

yes, tis making me quite sad. Pairs next year is gonna suck big time!

[erin_m]

Yes, senior pairs will definitely be different then it has been for the past couple years. I'm really hoping for a new team (or any team) to rise up and catch my eye.

[CzarinaAnnie]

First Ina and Zimmerman, and now my precious B&S aren't competing this year:cry:

[cem]

Sadly not surprised that B&S wouldn't not want to subject themselves to eligible competition anymore. With the lost B&S, S&P, and I&Z the pairs is once again to be similar to what it was between 95-97. Personally I'm going to miss B&S and S&P. They are two of the all time great pairs teams. People who wished that either team would go away are going to be very sorry.

[Lee]

Originally posted by cem
People who wished that either team would go away are going to be very sorry. I certainly think it could be awhile before we see two teams who capture fans' imagination so completely. Both teams had definite magical qualities to them that (I agree) will be missed -- at least in eligible competition.

[Marney]

Is the Chinese pair staying eligible?

[Sylvia]

Originally posted by Marney
Is the Chinese pair staying eligible?

Yes, as far as I know, Shen & Zhao are planning to compete in 2002-3.

[Gaela]

Shen and Zao are staying in, they want to land the quad throw, which if successful will be awesome to watch. It may be a great year for the Chinese, Pang and Tong have also really impressed me, they have a lyrical and romantic quality that could be developed and refined. Plus, the retirement of these three teams opens the door for new teams to shine, so it could be quite exciting actually.

[Josef]

Originally posted by Gaela
Shen and Zao are staying in, they want to land the quad throw, which if successful will be awesome to watch. It may be a great year for the Chinese, Pang and Tong have also really impressed me, they have a lyrical and romantic quality that could be developed and refined. Plus, the retirement of these three teams opens the door for new teams to shine, so it could be quite exciting actually.

I agree. This will not be a depressing year of pairs because B&S and S&P are gone, but instead an exciting year. We will get to see many new faces making the ABC/Lifetime/ESPN broadcasts, no doubt, and some skaters will be able to emerge as the top teams in their country with S&P, B&S, and I&Z out. What I expect to see next year:

- Langlois/Archetto and Lariviere/Faustino duking it out for the title as Canada's top pair. Should be exciting.
- Scott/Dulebohn moving up the international ladder.. Can't wait to see what Renee Roca did for their choreography.
- The return of Abitbol/Bernadis.. Maybe another World medal?
- Pang/Tong and Shen/Zhao a strong 1-2 punch.. Maybe two Chinese pairs on the podium?

[Tony Wheeler]

I remember hearing a few times that the Chinese Federation was pressing Shen & Zhao into retirement in order to make room for the fourth pairs team, Ding & Ren (World Junior bronze medalists). I don't know if there is any truth behind it but I'm glad to hear they will be staying in.

[bleu]

Don't forget the German, Czech teams in pairs.
there is also the dance team from Finland.
:D

[zowie]

Actually I like the third Chinese pair team (can't remember thier anmes but certainly remember them at the olympics!)

Can't wait to see them. I find her interesting to watch.

[twinkle]

The third Chinese pair team are Zhang Dan/ Zhang Hao, and yes, I liked them best out of all three Chinese teams in the Olympics. Obviously they still need to improve technically but they have a lot of energy and I don't think presentation is going to be as much of a problem for them.

[michele]

While it does seem likely that the level of pairs skating will go down, ITA that it should still be exciting. T&M could be great with a new LP (majorly crossing fingers), and now that S&Z have a World title hopefully they can just relax and take chances like with the throw quad sal. Whether or not they change their LP is the same with me since they could definitely skate Turandot better this season. :) Then there are the unknown factors - how Pet/Tik, Pang/Tong (who finally gave me hope at Worlds) and A&B will fare, and whether "newer" pairs like the Zhangs will come to the fore. At least one medal at Worlds will likely be wide open, something you couldn't say so much in recent years. No matter what, it should be interesting to see what develops!

Lara, probably lucky to be a Chinese pairs fan :)

[Mozart]

It is sad to see these three magnificent pairs retire from eligible competition.
I hope that Petrova and Tikhonov will have a great year.
I love the lyrical quality and overall excellence of this pair.
Cheers,