Danny O'Shea didn't formally announce his retirement after 2020 Guaranteed Rate Skate America, but he knew he needed a break. In 2019, Chelsea Liu had also stepped back from the sport for a similar reason.
Individually, the skaters admitted they retired to prioritize their mental health and academic careers — but neither of their hiatuses lasted for long. With ample time for introspection during the pandemic, Liu and O'Shea quickly found themselves back on the ice.
"I started skating again just to see if I could reignite my love for the sport in a healthy environment," Liu said, who has previously skated for Team USA and the Chinese Skating Federation.
O'Shea, who is entering his 10th season at the senior level, echoed Liu.
"I thought about how I would feel in 10 years about the end of my skating career," O'Shea said. "I decided I wanted a new conclusion to that story, and the only way to do that was to start fresh."
Both agreed to a tryout last December at Liu's home rink in Irvine, California. At first, the pair practiced for fun when O'Shea was in town every couple of weeks. They noted their compatible long lines and jump timing, but neither was ready to commit to a new competitive partnership unless the fit was perfect.
"I went through a couple of trials with other partners, but I knew I needed a partner and a training space that checked off all of my boxes," O'Shea said. "Chelsea and her rink felt supportive and safe and natural, so I kept coming back."
In March, after nearly four months of relaxed tryouts, Liu and O'Shea made it official
"On our breaks during that tryout period, we would walk around and get to know each other," Liu said. "We quickly gained an understanding and appreciation for each other's paths and the obstacles we overcame to get back to skating."
"We realized we shared one goal: to reclaim love for the sport," O'Shea said. "We wanted to feel that childlike wonder on the ice every day."
Their programs for the 2021-22 season touches on that sentiment — especially Taylor Swift's "Lover."
"The music is so appropriate for a light, new partnership," O'Shea said. "The line, 'Whether I've known you 20 seconds or 20 years,' clicked with us right away."
Adam Rippon choreographed the whimsical ballad, while Sinead Kerr and John Kerr tackled staging the pair's free dance to "Becoming Human" by Ryan Taubert.
"While our short program is more playful, the long is exciting and building, also much like our time together as a team," O'Shea said.
"The process of choreographing both programs set the tone for our programs," Liu added. "It was Adam's first time choreographing a pairs program, so there was room for fun and experimentation. Then John and Sinead's movements require a different kind of energy, a sort of delicate simplicity."
Liu and O'Shea share communication styles and skating techniques — they're still nailing down the timing of their throws, but the rest of their partnership has felt natural. Liu attributes their compatibility to trust, rather than personality.
"On our own, we decided skating isn't worth it if we aren't truly happy," she said. "It's great to win, and that desire will always be there, but winning no longer equates to success for us."
O'Shea harmoniously agreed.
"When a team shares goals, intentions and respect, you're able to focus on enjoying the process of building skills and programs," he said. "We're choosing to frame the hard work as something we want to do, not something we have to do."
While Liu is no stranger to the senior level, this weekend will be her first time competing at Skate America®. The nerves, assumably, are still present for both athletes — what has mellowed out is the need to set unflinching, and perhaps unattainable, standards of perfection.
"Every practice and competition are an element-by-element process," O'Shea said. "If we step off the ice feeling good about ourselves, I think that'll feel like a huge goal accomplished."
"It's our unspoken rule to just try our best because we know what we're capable of," Liu said. "And trying our best, we've learned, is really all we can ask of ourselves."
Fans can tune into the action at 2021 Guaranteed Rate Skate America on NBCSN, NBC and Peacock Premium. Check out the Virtual Fan Experience for more details.
