Who once missed Nationals or Worlds and came back strong the next year?

[NYSk8Fan]

I was trying to remember the answer to this question to console a skater in 5th who will not get to Nationals. I know the people on this board can help me compile a list! Thanks.

[Alexeiskate]

Elaine Zayak. She missed 83 Worlds because of a stress fracture and won bronze in 84.

Sasha Cohen withdrew from Nationals 01 because of back problems and came back to finish 4th in the Olympic the next year.

Nicole Bobek.

[jcspkbfan]

Kurt Browning had to withdraw from 1992 Canadians because of a back injury--he was able to compete at Olympics and Worlds that year, but it was hardly his best season. :( He certainly did come on strong the following year, though! :)

Elvis Stojko had to withdraw from 1995 Canadians after crashing into the boards and hurting his ankle during a practice session...and went on to defend his world title just a few weeks later!

Salé and Pelletier won the silver medal at 1999 Canadians, but couldn't compete at Worlds (I think they actually could have won a medal there if they had been able to skate as well at Worlds as they did during the beginning of their season!) because David had a back injury. Of course, they also had a pretty good season the following year! :)

Bourne and Kraatz missed 2000 Canadians and Worlds because of Shae-Lynn's ankle injury, but won Canadians and got back on the world podium the following year.

Of course, all these skaters were unable to compete because of injury, not because they failed to qualify "the old-fashioned way." But I remember reading about a promising young skater who came from behind to win his first national novice title and was looking forward to competing for the junior title the following year, but he got into a car accident just before leaving for divisionals that year, placed seventh at divisionals and failed to qualify for nationals...then came back to win the national junior title the following year! That young skater's name was...Kurt Browning! :) If I remember correctly, after winning 1985 Junior Canadians, Kurt went on to win a few more gold medals, too. ;)

[nits]

In '99, I'm not sure if Irina missed Russian Nationals, but everyone knows the Russian Federation chose not to send her to Worlds that year. (The year Maria B. went on to win Gold)
The next year Irina came back strong and defeated Michelle Kwan at GPF's by landing two 3/3 combos in the last LP. (I believe this was the first time a female had ever landed two 3/3 combos, andthis feat was later followed by Sarah Hughes in her wonderful Olympic LP).

[CanAmSk8ter]

"Bourne and Kraatz missed 2000 Canadians and Worlds because of Shae-Lynn's ankle injury, but won Canadians and got back on the world podium the following year."

Actually, it was Shae's knee, not her ankle, that she had surgery on, and they didn't make it back to the Worlds podium for two years, they were fourth in Vancouver in 2001. But they did move up to second last year, so overall they have continued to move up.

[SShaste]

Here's one that might be helpful. Elvis Stojko did not qualify for Nationals in 1989 but the next year he came back and placed 2nd and almost beat Kurt Browning. And just look what he did for all the years following!!

[jss]

This may or may not help, but remember that Lu Chen didn't do very well at 97 worlds (I don't think she even qualified for the long program), but next year came back and won the bronze at the Olympics.

[NorthernLite]

The situation you mention is tough. I hope the skater can regroup, perhaps get some good experience doing shows this winter/spring, and come back strong next season.

I was disappointed for a few skaters who just missed Nats this year. Don't know which one *your* skater is, but whoever it is: {{{{{SKATER}}}}}

[icenut84]

Originally posted by nits
In '99, I'm not sure if Irina missed Russian Nationals, but everyone knows the Russian Federation chose not to send her to Worlds that year. (The year Maria B. went on to win Gold)
The next year Irina came back strong and defeated Michelle Kwan at GPF's by landing two 3/3 combos in the last LP. (I believe this was the first time a female had ever landed two 3/3 combos, andthis feat was later followed by Sarah Hughes in her wonderful Olympic LP).

I think Irina was 4th in Russian Nationals in 99, meaning that she didn't make the World team (the three spots were taken by Butyrskaya - who won Worlds, Soldatova, and I think Volchkova?). She did compete at the GPF, but didn't get to go to Worlds. Then the next year she came back a totally different skater, married, with a new perspective on her skating, and won GPF over Kwan and won the silver medal at Worlds. I think she won Europeans too?

[today]

:( My sympathies to your skater. We have a family member who is just entering the senior ranks this year. Not really famous so I don't know if this will help. But our skater has missed nationals twice by very close margins. Both times were devastating. (Many many tears and very heart wrenching!) BUT ... In retrospect, these placing were powerful lessons that actually helped improvement. The fifth place was actually the best thing that could have happened. It was a wakeup call, a time to reassess and decide whether or not to go on, a chance to recommit and rebuild. The year before, our skater won every competition entered but did not improve much. After placing fifth there was a huge leap in ability! ( A good argument for not holding skaters up!) Also having the spotlight off of a skater for a year can give them the freedom to experiment and tackle those weaknessess from scratch. Your skater has a chance to practice really hard now, to start new programs and try new things! Time is sometimes the best gift of all for a young skater.
All competitive skaters will face injuries and growth adjustments and most will have a few disasterous skates in their careers! Being able to refocus and rebuild through hard times is incredibly important. Remind your skater that it is not the skater that gets there the fastest but the one that can stick it though tough times that eventually triumphs.
Anyway hope this helps. Hang in there!

[Catherine M]

I'd like to add Jamie Sale in her single days. She missed 96 nationals cause of poor skating at Divisionals and then missed 97 nationals due to injury but she never gave up and kept on training for the 97-98 season. She barely made it through divisionals to qualify for nationals but wowed everyone with her SP and was soon on her way to tremendous success that must have seemed like a dream back in 96 & 97.


Catherine

[marlyn]

Did Elvis not miss the 1998 and 1999 Worlds and then come back in 2000 and get the Silver medal?

[Ellyn]

Stojko did compete at 1999 Worlds and finished 4th.

[SShaste]

It was the 1998 Worlds that Elvis missed due to the groin injury. And yep at the 2000 Worlds he won the silver medal.

[hippiechick]

Punsalen & Swallow?