Abbott to take 2015-16 season off from competition
Four-time U.S. champion to assess future plans, perform in shows
Jeremy Abbott won't compete this season, but he's not closing the door on his career just yet.
The four-time U.S. champion did not register for the 2015-16 U.S. qualifying season (the deadline for which was Tuesday, Sept. 1), meaning he has opted not to compete at the 2016 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
"I need a break from the rigors of training to focus on other aspects of my life and take some real time away from competition to assess my future plans and goals," Abbott wrote in an email statement. "I plan to perform in various ice shows domestically and internationally in the coming months."
He did say that he will maintain his eligibility, should he choose to return.
A 20-year competitor, Abbott most recently took fifth at the 2015 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Greensboro, North Carolina. He is a two-time Olympian.
Abbott told icenetwork in June that he was skipping the Grand Prix Series in order to focus on the U.S. championships and trying to make the world team. Since then, he has performed in a number of shows, including "An Evening on Ice," Mao Asada's "THE ICE" and Shizuka Arakawa's "Friends on Ice."
Abbott said he will still compete as part of Team North America at the Japan Open, Oct. 3 in Saitama.
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