Some Skaters Skip Worlds for Post-Olympic Whirl

[joeybee12]

While most of his competitors will be performing Thursday in the free skate — some trying to win, others trying to redeem themselves from an Olympics gone bad — Lysacek will be continuing to soak up his Olympic glory.

He will be practicing his ballroom dancing skills for his role on the ABC television show “Dancing With the Stars.” And on Friday he will be heading to Naperville, Ill., his hometown, for what has been called Evan Lysacek day.

But the worlds will go on, even without Lysacek and several other marquee skaters from Vancouver — including several gold medalists. An exodus of top skaters from a post-Olympics world championship is nothing new. In all, five of the 12 medalists have skipped the worlds, which will end on Saturday with the women’s final.

“There’s always been that question, Why hold a world championships in an Olympic year because it is just not as satisfying as it usually is?” Scott Hamilton, the 1984 Olympic champion, said. “Some of the top skaters don’t go. After the Olympic Games, people are fried and exhausted — not only the athletes, but also the spectators. I understand why the worlds have become an anticlimax.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/26/sports/26skating.html?hpw

[CBR]

1. Mirai is in first after SP!!!! nt

[joeybee12]

2. Kim Yul Na is in 7th!!!

Like the article said, there's a lot of pressure at this worlds and a lot of burnout.

[madinmaryland]

3. I'm surprised forkboy has not commented on the NHL taking a break to do this...

:evilgrin:

[joeybee12]

4. Yeah, I can't see how Crosby did in the short program...

...Forkboy will probably know.