With the conclusion of another Olympic season come changing dynamics, from retirements, breakups, and new formations to the rise of younger couples and shifting fortunes for more established duos. For our first quick take on The Off-Season That Is, a review of the major American and Canadian teams who’ve taken their last bows — at least, in the form as we’ve known them — on the competitive stage.
Moore-Towers and Moscovitch in the short program at the 2013 World Championships. Photo by Danielle Earl.
Kirsten Moore-Towers & Dylan Moscovitch
Partnered in 2009. Both are seeking new partners.
2013-14 World Ranking, final: 3
Highlights:
2014 Winter Olympics – 5th
2013 & 2014 World Championships – 4th
2013 Four Continents – 2nd
2013 & 2014 Canadian Nationals – 2nd
2011 Canadian Nationals – 1st
One to Remember: 2013 Worlds SP – MicMacs
Castelli and Shnapir in the short program at 2013 Skate America. Photo with permission from Melanie Hoyt for Ice-Dance.com.
Marissa Castelli & Simon Shnapir
Partnered in 2006. Both are seeking new partners.
2013-14 World Ranking, final: 9
Highlights:
2014 Winter Olympics – 9th
2014 World Championships – 11th
2013 Four Continents – 3rd
2009 World Junior Championships – 3rd
2013 & 2014 U.S. Nationals – 1st
One to Remember: 2012 Skate America LP – “Payadora”
Lawrence and Swiegers in the free skate at the 2014 Canadian Championships. Photo by Danielle Earl.
Paige Lawrence & Rudi Swiegers
Partnered in 2005. Lawrence seeks to continue; Swiegers seeks to continue after sitting out the 2014-15 season.
2013-14 World Ranking, final: 14
Highlights:
2014 Winter Olympics – 14th
2014 World Championships – 12th
2011 Four Continents – 3rd
2009 World Junior Championships – 4th
2011, 2012, 2013 & 2014 Canadian Nationals – 3rd
One to Remember: 2012 Four Continents SP – Beetlejuice
Ralph and Hill in the short dance at the 2014 Canadian Championships. Photo by Danielle Earl.
Kharis Ralph & Asher Hill
Partnered in 2002. Ralph is retiring from skating; Hill seeks to continue with a new partner.
2013-14 World Ranking, final: 28
Highlights:
2012 World Championships – 13th
2014 Four Continents – 4th
2009 World Junior Championships – 5th
2014 Canadian Nationals – 6th
2010, 2011 & 2012 Canadian Nationals – 4th
One to Remember: 2012 Worlds FD – Waking Life Tango
Kriengkrairut and Giulietti-Schmitt in the free dance at the 2014 Four Continent Championships. Photo with permission from Robin Ritoss for Ice-Dance.com.
Lynn Kriengkrairut & Logan Giulietti-Schmitt
Partnered in 2006. Both are retiring from competition.
2013-14 World Ranking, final: 27
Highlights:
2014 Four Continents – 6th
2007 World Junior Championships – 11th
2014 U.S. Nationals – 6th
2012 U.S. Nationals – 4th
One to Remember: 2012 U.S. Nationals FD – “Walking in the Sand”
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Reliable sources indicate splits among these teams, but no official statement has been released, so information may be considered tentative pending any new partnerships:
Margaret Purdy & Michael Marinaro
Partnered in 2007
2013-14 World Ranking, final: 21
2014 Four Continents – 6th
2013 World Junior Championships – 2nd
2013 & 2014 Canadian Nationals – 5th
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Gretchen Donlan & Andrew Speroff
Partnered in 2009
2013-14 World Ranking, final: 33
2014 Ondrej Nepela – 1st
2014 U.S. Nationals – 8th
2012 U.S. Nationals – 4th
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Natasha Purich & Mervin Tran
Partnered in 2013
2013-14 World Ranking, final: 42
2014 Four Continents – 5th
2014 Canadian Nationals – 4th