Every skater wants their final competition/season to be a great one. To skate up to their potential, to go out on a high note, feeling a sense of completeness and closure with their competitive skating career.
Of course, things don't always work out that way, unfortunately.
Gracie Gold and Daisuke Takahashi are returning this year seemingly motivated by things not ending on a high note for them before and wanting to ultimately finish their careers on their own terms. Kevin Reynolds is staying around another year presumably for the same reason.
To make a comeback or to stay longer in the sport seeking that happier, more complete ending...well, it's not easy. And of course, "closure" has always looked different to different skaters; one skater may want to make that final Olympic team while another may want simply to have a final skate they can be proud of.
What are some of the success stories of skaters who have done this? Who have come back or stuck around to try to end their careers on their own terms and ultimately had that happy (or happier) ending? What are the good stories where skaters have found that closure?
Of course, things don't always work out that way, unfortunately.
Gracie Gold and Daisuke Takahashi are returning this year seemingly motivated by things not ending on a high note for them before and wanting to ultimately finish their careers on their own terms. Kevin Reynolds is staying around another year presumably for the same reason.
To make a comeback or to stay longer in the sport seeking that happier, more complete ending...well, it's not easy. And of course, "closure" has always looked different to different skaters; one skater may want to make that final Olympic team while another may want simply to have a final skate they can be proud of.
What are some of the success stories of skaters who have done this? Who have come back or stuck around to try to end their careers on their own terms and ultimately had that happy (or happier) ending? What are the good stories where skaters have found that closure?