I&Z will not compete next season...

[Dustin]

It doesnt say anything about the 2003-2004 season or later. They will be touring with SOI:
http://usfsa.org/news/2002-03/inazimm-plans0203.htm

This season really isn't going to be as interesting in pairs without either B&S or I&Z. :(

[Lark]

With 2003 Worlds in D.C., and S&P, B&S and S&Z not competing, will I&Z go down as having made one of the worst decisions in skating history?

[Josef]

Since when are Shen & Zhao not competing next season? Did I miss something?

[Lark]

Oh, I thought I heard S&Z were not going to be competing.
Can anyone set us straight?

[Amy L]

I heard that S&Z are coming back.

[Lucy]

According to http://www.isu.org/figure/events/0203/gp0203pairse.html, Shen and Zhao will be competing at Bofrost Cup on Ice, Cup of Russia and NHK Trophy this season.

Zhao said in an interview dated 3/27/2002 at a Chinese web site (http://sports.sina.com.cn/o/2002-03-27/27252947.shtml): "Maybe in a year or two, Xiao Xue (Shen's nickname) and I will retire..."

[WylieFan]

What a big mistake. What a shot they had at a World title this year! A clear shot at podium at least. I thought they might even stick it out another 4 years to 2006. Barring injury, they could clearly be medal potentials in 2006.

I'm with you Lark. (one of the) worst decisions in skating history. Okay, maybe not history, but definitly of the year! :cry: :cry:

[Sylvia]

If it's true that Kyoko Ina is still suffering pain from her partially dislocated shoulder from last season, then it makes perfect sense to me that Ina & Zimmerman have decided to opt out of eligible competitions this season and have some fun touring with Stars on Ice. I hope they enjoy themselves, and I'm looking forward to seeing them on SOI! :)

[lynlei]

Personally I am bummed :(

But I got the impression that they have been working for 2002
and now they are probably burned out. Who could blame them?

Hope to get to see them sometimes on TV.

[Scott]

Originally posted by Dustin
It doesnt say anything about the 2003-2004 season or later. They will be touring with SOI:
http://usfsa.org/news/2002-03/inazimm-plans0203.htm

This season really isn't going to be as interesting in pairs without either B&S or I&Z. :(

In a way you are correct that the season may not be as interesting. On the other hand it could prove to be even more interesting as we see which pair teams will "shake out" and position themselves into the top of the pile. We will see all kinds of opportunities for new faces to move up which I think is not only interesting but exciting. Because the field will be wide open imagine how all the other teams will respond as they attempt to move into the void!

[icenut84]

So from the Olympics, only 2 of the top 5 in both dance and pairs are competing next season! Lobacheva/Averbukh, Bourne/Kraatz, Shen/Zhao, Totmianina/Marinin. (If S/Z compete anyway. Hope they do.)