I don't necessarily disagree with your opinions, @4everchan, but I do come from the flip side of the partnering equation. For what it's worth, my projection is an opinion, just like anyone else's is. But my projection comes from my lifetime in the sport, plus my kid's experience of training at elite facilities as well, in multiple states, albeit at a lower level than senior. Due to chasing ice, we have been observers on the sidelines of some of the country's (and world's) top competitors in all four disciplines. (When commenting on this board, great pains are taken to not speak in specifics because coaches and skaters have the absolute right to train in privacy.)
It's precisely because Lubov and Charlie were grown-ups and already familiar with the cycle of training at an elite level that a more clear agreement could have been reached. Perhaps at least only committing to one season up front, to see if the subsequent years felt feasible. That way perhaps Lubov would have been better prepared for a shortened partnership, even if she still had decided to take the risk of changing her job, training and living location.
My comments towards Charlie have been fair and empathetic. And yes, training versus competing are two different sides of the coin, and a skater can't know how they're feeling until the season progresses.
The point still stands: in this sport, more females are subject to the career-making decisions of males partners than the other way around. It's incredibly hard to be in such a position and financially, it doesn't really make any sense. More care needs to be taken to respect the sacrifices of the female partner.
Although these events are now in the past, it is a valuable case study for potential pairs. This experience can better inform current and future skaters about the potential issues that affect a partnership. Definitely more needs to be discussed in terms of setting shorter-term expectations, even - perhaps especially - for elite skaters in new partnerships. Also, skating feds need to establish a best-case scenario protocol that can guide skaters/coaches on how to dissolve a partnership with better feelings all-around. That would be a positive outcome from this skating journey.
It's precisely because Lubov and Charlie were grown-ups and already familiar with the cycle of training at an elite level that a more clear agreement could have been reached. Perhaps at least only committing to one season up front, to see if the subsequent years felt feasible. That way perhaps Lubov would have been better prepared for a shortened partnership, even if she still had decided to take the risk of changing her job, training and living location.
My comments towards Charlie have been fair and empathetic. And yes, training versus competing are two different sides of the coin, and a skater can't know how they're feeling until the season progresses.
The point still stands: in this sport, more females are subject to the career-making decisions of males partners than the other way around. It's incredibly hard to be in such a position and financially, it doesn't really make any sense. More care needs to be taken to respect the sacrifices of the female partner.
Although these events are now in the past, it is a valuable case study for potential pairs. This experience can better inform current and future skaters about the potential issues that affect a partnership. Definitely more needs to be discussed in terms of setting shorter-term expectations, even - perhaps especially - for elite skaters in new partnerships. Also, skating feds need to establish a best-case scenario protocol that can guide skaters/coaches on how to dissolve a partnership with better feelings all-around. That would be a positive outcome from this skating journey.