Oh Carol!

It seems like everybody (in the women's division, at least) is firing their coaches and looking for new ones. US figure skater Caroline Zhang has joined in the fray. After news came out that Yuna and Mao has changed coaches (hopefully not "switch" coaches), Caroline Zhang parted ways with long-time coach Li Mingzhu.

Is this the trend in figure skating nowadays? That if you don't fare well in this season you can fire your coach and look for a new one the next season? Tsk tsk. Well, I hope Caroline Zhang is making the right move. She still has a lot to work on, especially her jump technique.

Here's the item from icenetwork.com :


Zhang turns the page with new coach, new approach 
Straightforward teen tackles weaknesses
By Lynn Rutherford, special to icenetwork.com

SPLIT! Caroline Zhang splits with Li Mingzhu

Caroline Zhang is no Stepford skater.

The 17-year-old Californian, whose dreams of competing at the Vancouver Olympics were derailed by an 11th-place finish at the 2010 AT&T U.S. Figure Skating Championships, tells it like it is.

"Last season was not my idea of fun," she said.

If you don't like something, change it, and that's just what Zhang, a former wunderkind who won the 2007 world junior title and 2009 U.S. bronze medal, did.

She moved from longtime mentor Li Mingzhu to Tammy Gambill, a Riverside, Calif., coach known for instilling strong jump technique in her pupils. She enlisted David Wilson, choreographer to the stars, for a more expressive free skate.

In short, she took a good, hard look at herself and her skating.

"Last year, I felt like I was well-prepared for nationals," Zhang said, pausing for a second to consider what went wrong.

"I have to trust myself more, be more confident. This season I'm back to skating for myself. [Last season] there was the pressure of the Olympics; when that was off, I was happy I skated decent programs at Four Continents -- not my best, but decent." [Zhang won bronze at that event, behind Japanese skaters Mao Asada and Akiko Suzuki].

Zhang is well aware of the criticisms of her skating -- her speed, the unusually high "kick" entrance to toe jumps -- and she and Gambill are addressing them.

"Oh, I'm working on it," she said. "Everybody says I have a high kick. I know it, too. I'm changing it, and I hope everyone notices it. I know I'm happy about it.

"I'm fixing the edge [take-off on the triple Lutz], too, and I'm adding speed going into my double Axel."

Like many intelligent, strong-willed people, Zhang -- who is renowned for spins, especially the signature "pearl," and the flexibility and extension of her spirals -- hasn't always been known as an ideal pupil. Last season's disappointment seems to have snapped her into focus.

"I think nationals was a lot more motivating than anything else," she said. "Not making the [2010] team -- and thinking about possibly not making the 2014 team, unless I made some changes -- that's really pushed me."

Gambill, who also coaches Junior Grand Prix competitors Ricky Dornbush and Lindsay Davis, says Zhang has been receptive to a new approach.

"Caroline is much more determined this year," Gambill said. "She knows how much she gets out [of training] is determined by how much she puts into it. She's grown up, mature, and a delight to work with -- most of the time."

About the aforementioned kick, Gambill said, "I can already see improvement; it's a big step."

The two are also working to add speed to Zhang's programs.

"Oh, absolutely every day, it's a priority," Gambill said. "I'm always pushing her."

While Gambill is her primary coach, Zhang also works regularly with Galina Barinova, a former Bolshoi ballerina who has also worked with Evan Lysacek, and veteran coach Sondra Holmes, who works with many of Gambil's pupils. The skater's family recently moved from Brea to Corona, nearer to Gambil's rink.

"I like have a team behind me; I think it makes me work a lot harder," Zhang said. "I think there's been a big improvement."

With Wilson and Tom Dickson, the Colorado Springs-based choreographer who crafted her short program, the skater is focusing on ramping up her performance quality.

"I wanted to try something new; probably in the past, I haven't expressed myself enough [on the ice]," she said.

Zhang got her programs -- a short to Piazzolla's "Libertango" and free to "Cello concerto in B Minor" by Dvorak -- done in June and July.

"Tom Dickson played the [Tango] for me early on, and then he told me to listen to other [pieces], but I still picked it," she said. "It's very different from other things I've done.

"And I love working with David Wilson; he's really helping me with the transitions, and expressing the program more."

Another sign of dedication: Zhang is already thinking ahead to Sochi 2014. Home schooled, she enters her senior year of high school this fall and took SAT prep classes over the summer. But while she may apply to colleges this fall, she's uncertain of when she will attend.

"I'm just not sure about college yet," she said. "I want to go to a good school, but I want to stay in [eligible competition] until 2014. My sister [Yang Yang] went to MIT and I saw how much hard work something like that is. So I might hold off, maybe take a few classes, and then [go full time] after 2014."

Zhang is slated to compete at NHK Trophy and Skate America this fall.

Copyright © 2010 Ice Network, LLC

And The Plot Thickens...

Oh my, I didn't know it was this controversial and complicated. Who's telling the truth? Yuna Kim or Brian Orser? I can feel some serious mudslinging coming up. 
Here's what I read on Yahoo recently: 

Olympic figure skater Kim accuses ex coach of lying

Does it really have to end like this, Brian, Yuna?

 

Wed Aug 25, 4:09 am ET

SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) – South Korea's figure skating Olympic champion Kim Yu-Na on Wednesday accused her former coach Brian Orser of lying over the pair's split.
In a statement posted on her blog, Kim said Canadian coach Orser -- himself a two-time Olympic medallist -- was using the media to create controversy over the end to their professional relationship, which was announced Tuesday.
"A coach and a skater can part ways with each other for one reason or other... I am disappointed and hurt that media was used to announce our split and its details were unable to be kept only between us," she wrote.
"I can't really let people believe in lies and criticise innocent people."
Representatives of Kim and Orser had each accused the other on Tuesday of initiating the split.
Orser's agency IMG said that Kim's mother, who runs her agency AT Sports, told Orser on August 2 that he would no longer be retained to coach Kim.
"No reason was given for the sudden and unexpected decision," IMG said in a statement.
AT Sports said, however, that Orser ended the professional relationship after it became "uncomfortable" because of another skater's request that Orser coach her.
Under Orser's tutelage, Kim won gold medals at the 2009 World Championships and 2010 Winter Olympics.
In August 2010, Forbes magazine listed her as one of the highest-paid female athletes in the world, with annual earnings of 9.7 million dollars.

Yuna Kim Confirms Falling Out

It's a sad, and abrupt ending to an otherwise beautiful relationship. In her official website Yunakim.com, Korean skating superstar and Olympic Gold Medalist Yuna Kim confirmed that she has indeed parted ways with Canadian coach Brian Orser.

While Yuna's camp hasn't yet confirmed as to who will be her next coach (please, please, let it not be Tatiana), Yuna will be continuing her training with choreographer David Wilson in Toronto, Canada.

Here's what was posted in Yunakim.com:

SPLIT! Shame shame

Yuna Kim’s Management Confirms Kim-Orser to Part Ways

August 24th, 2010-08-24 (Seoul, Korea) – AT Sports, Yuna Kim’s management company confirmed that Yuna will be parting ways with coach Brian Orser.
AT Sports announced that the relationship between Brian Orser and Kim’s agency had been strained since May and as a result, Kim has been more or less practicing without a coach since June. In early August, Kim’s agency and Orser agreed to the coach-skater taking some unofficial time-off and since then, Kim has been training alone and working on her new program with David Wilson as her choreographer.   Kim and her management was taken aback when Orser announced on August 23rd that he would no longer be able to care for Yuna Kim, which Kim’s agency understood as Orser’s decision to step down as Kim’s coach.
“I would like to thank Brian for helping me accomplish my greatest dream which was to become an Olympic Gold medalist,” said Kim. “I wish him every success for the future.”
Meanwhile, Yuna Kim continues to train at the Toronto Cricket Club. No plans have been announced yet as to her future plans including who the new coach will be.

Will We See a Mao-Brian Tandem?

Now I don't know who's telling the truth. Remember the issue about Brian Orser who was reportedly approached by Mao Asada's camp and asked him to coach the Japanese champion? Well, it looks like the story behind it has so many layers.

Here's something that The Japan Times Online posted in its Website several months ago. Yeah, yeah, the story's stale. But hey, it gives another insight into the Yuna-Brian falling out:

Switching allegiance?

Mao: Orser's next student?

Orser says he was asked to coach Mao

By JACK GALLAGHER

Staff writer

There seems to be no end to the ongoing drama that envelops the rivalry between Mao Asada and Kim Yu Na.

The stakes rose considerably over the weekend after reports surfaced out of Seoul that Yu Na's coach Brian Orser had been approached by Mao's camp about possibly instructing her.

The prospect would seem to be a non-starter unless Yu Na decides to retire from competition, but that would not prevent an inquiry from being made.

Whether it was seems to be the question here.

The thought of Orser leaving Yu Na to coach Mao is incomprehensible in light of the incredibly successful partnership the pair has forged.

However, with rumors swirling that Yu Na may retire from competition, one could not blame Orser for looking ahead.

If Yu Na decides to only skate professionally, Orser would be left without his top student. Not that he would be lacking for candidates, but when it comes to the elite, Mao would clearly be the cream of the crop if Yu Na bows out.

With the tale beginning to gain momentum, Orser moved to quell the storm by speaking to the South Korean wire service Yonhap on Monday.

The Canadian said in the story that he was approached by Mao's agent following the world championships in Turin, Italy, last month and offered the chance to coach Mao. He went on to say that he is devoted to coaching Yu Na and is not entertaining the prospect of working with Mao.

This is where the plot began to thicken.

The Japan Times contacted Mao's agent, Mariko Wada of IMG, on Sunday and asked her to provide some clarity on the issue.

"Very surprising," she wrote in an e-mail of the initial reports. "We never contacted him and never thought about it."

Orser did not respond to an e-mail requesting further elaboration.

With Mao looking for a new coach after parting with Tatiana Tarasova, one possible theory is that Mao's people could be indirectly pressuring Yu Na to make up her mind about her future.

If Yu Na does hang it up, the prospect of Orser coaching Mao may not be so far-fetched.

Yuna Kim drops Brian Orser

In a move that will definitely leave skate fans wondering, if not confused, Olympic Champion Yuna Kim has parted ways with long-time coach Brian Orser. Although according to icenetwork.com the reason behind Yuna's decision to end her relationship with the former World Champion was never revealed.

What a shame. They made such a wonderful, winning tandem. I wonder what drove Yuna to that decision. Perhaps, Yuna was advised (I hope she wasn't ill-advised) to train with a Korean coach.

And I am hoping against hope she will not get Tatiana Tarasova, especially since reigning World Champion Mao Asada reportedly gave the Russian coaching legend her walking papers several months ago.

Here's the news item that came out in icenetwork:

Kim ends professional relationship with Orser

Olympic gold medalist's mom gives coach walking papers

(08/24/2010) - Meehee Park, Yu-Na Kim's mother and a representative with AT Sports (Kim's agency), met with Brian Orser and Tracy Wilson on August 2, 2010 in Toronto, Canada. They both informed the two-time Olympic medalist that he would no longer be retained to coach Kim. No reason was given for the sudden and unexpected decision. At the present time Kim continues to train at the Cricket Club in Toronto, Canada. Under Orser's four year successful tutelage, Kim captured the world championship, the 2010 Olympic gold medal and countless other titles. In addition to Kim, Orser coaches many future hopefuls including U.S. skaters Adam Rippon and Christina Gao.
"I am honored to have worked with such a talented and gifted skater," said Orser. "I wish her all the best as she moves forward in her skating career."

Harry Potter, Anyone?

Because the GPF Season is still months away, I am allowing myself to post some non-skating-related stuff in this blog. It's the trailer of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows movie so I don't think anyone would protest. (I am not embedding the video here, because the size is too wide it ruins the page layout)

I can't wait to see this movie. Too bad the movie execs decided to do the finale in two parts. Imagine, we have to wait until next year to see the ending! Wow. Anyway, this trailer still makes me shake with excitement. I stole a photo from the Web for you to ogle at. Hihi.

The New Kid in Town

Christina Gao: The next skating superstar?

I am going to make a bold prediction. Christina Gao will be the next big star in US figure skating. Her jumping technique reminds me of a young Yuna Kim. She looks very very promising. Everybody thought it was going to be Caroline Zhang. But with this girl around, Mirai, Caroline and Rachael Flatt will have to work doubly hard. I am seriously hoping Christina Gao will improve more and stay focused. I can see a future champion in her.

Her future is so bright figure skating fans will have to wear shades! And did I mention that her coach is Brian Orser, the man who helped Yuna Kim and the whole of South Korea win the Gold medal at the Vancouver Games? Hmm... the former Canadian champion really knows how to spot and groom talent among young skaters. I can't wait for this young skater to blossom. Plus, I am now officially listing down Brian Orser's name as one of the personalities I would like to have dinner with in the future (the list also includes Lady Gaga, Meryl Streep, and Vogue editrix Anna Wintour!). Haha.

What's Your Favorite Mao Asada Program?

What's my favorite program, among Mao Asada's thrilling and often emotional programs? Well, I have to say it's the short program that she did at the 2006 Skate America. Everything about the program——the music (Chopin's Nocturne), the costume, the makeup——reflected what and who Mao Asada is: graceful, elegant, soft, light but athletic. That's why I didn't understand why her former coach Tatiana Tarasova made Mao skate to that heavy Russian music at the Olympics. (People want something pleasing to the ears, Tatiana! But in all fairness, Tatiana did bring Mao's skating to a different level).

Here's my personal favorite, Mao's Short Program at the 2006 Skate America. (At the time, she wasn't being heavily penalized yet for her wrong-edge entrances). I hope you like it, too. Tell me your favorite programs!

Where is Nicole Bobek?

Nicole Bobek was one of the most promising skaters of the United States of America in the mid-90s. I still remember her amazing performance at the 1998 US Nationals, where she finished third behind Michelle Kwan and Tara Lipinski and earned a berth in the Olympic team. Before Sasha Cohen, she had the most exquisite spirals and extensions. Heck, she was even better than Michelle Kwan in that department. But she never got through the sloppy mistakes due to lack of concentration. It would have been nice if she stayed in the competitive circuit a little longer. Michelle Kwan would have had a worthy competitor.

But where is she now? Last I heard she was arrested for the possession of illegal drugs. After that, not much news about this beauty came out.

Here's a video of her short program at the 1995 World Championships. She was stunning here by the way. Her jumps are way better than those of most young skaters today.

They Keep on Falling...

Just for kicks, I'm posting photos of skaters falling on the ice. I know, I know, it's rude, but hey, these photos are all over the Internet, so why should I stop myself from re-posting them here in my blog? While they all look practically alike (They're about to hit hard ice, dummy, do you think they would bother flashing a smile first?), some skaters do it a little more gracefully than the others.

Help me identify who falls down with grace. Tell me what you think.

Sarah Hughes. I think this was after the Salt Lake Olympics. She certainly looks like she gained weight here.

Sasha Cohen. This fall would have been more disastrous if the photographer took this photo from the other side.

Michelle Kwan. For some reason, I laughed so hard when I saw this. But you're still my hero, Michelle!

Mao Asada. I always stop myself from crying whenever I see Mao fall. Get up Mao, get up!

Miki Ando. This is the kind of fall that makes people gasp and leaves skaters with an injury and a bruised ego.

Oh dear. Caroline Zhang almost 'kissed' the ice with this fall

Ouch! Poor Emily Hughes! You should have taken pointers from your sister Sarah

Joannie Rochette falters. Regardless of her mistakes, Joannie is still one of my fave jumpers in the world

Irina Slutskaya. I love you Irina, but this photo is sooo unflattering. You should sue the photographer!

So should you, Carolina!

“Failure is not falling down but refusing to get up.” --- Chinese proverb. Despite falling down many times in their careers, these skaters learned to get up and move on. Some of them eventually became champions and legends.

I am a Big Fan But...

By now, you should have known that I am a big Mao Asada fan. Ever since I saw her on a newspaper article, wherein she was hailed as the 2005 World Junior Champion, thanks to a flawless performance and a history-making triple axel jump, I fell in love with Mao Asada (Yuna Kim fans, don't fret. Didn't your mother tell you that you can love two persons at the same time? Haha)

What I don't love about Mao Asada is her choice of outfits. I mean, whoever decides/styles Mao Asada should rethink his/her choices. It's a little over the top and certainly looks uncomfortable. And it has too much of everything. Too much sequins, too much feathers, too much embellishments, etc. I mean c'mon, any stylist can do better than that. Plus, I think it distracts Mao Asada. A simpler cut with less frou frou would do.

Here are her skating outfits over the years. Tell me what you think.

Dear Sasha

To this day, this photograph of Sasha Cohen's ending pose for her exhibition program Romeo and Juliet still takes my breath away. *Sighs*

Romeo, Romeo? Wherefore art thou, Romeo? She could have easily taken the gold had she done this at the Olympics. :)

 

Who Photographs Well in Mid-Air?

Break time!

I'm posting some photographs of your favorite skaters in midair. Please help me determine who's the most photogenic of them all while they're doing the most dizzying of triple jumps. Is it Yuna Kim, Mao Asada, Sasha Cohen, Michelle Kwan or Miki Ando? Have fun guys :)

Yuna Kim

Mao Asada

Sasha Cohen

Michelle Kwan

Miki Ando

Mao The Great

I can't wait to see you next season, Mao Asada. I'm pretty sure that you have something exciting in store for all of us. It's amazing how you can be so passionate and dead serious about your sport. I really admire you for it.

I can't wait to see how well you do your programs, either. Although I'm not exactly sure if choosing Tatiana Tarasova as your choreographer for your short program was the best decision, especially since the Russian coach's style and choice of music proved to be a little too heavy for your skating style (and our taste), we still believe that your amazing talent will shine through.

Getting Lori Nichol back is a nice move, Mao. The seasoned choreographer understands your skating style. I just hope she gives you a program better than the Claire de Lune program that she did in 2008. We want to see more fluid, graceful, soft movements, side by side your formidable, explosive jumps. Lori knows Yuna's programs, too, so I know she will give you a program that would bring the audience to their feet, or better yet, bring them to tears.

I'm literally shaking with excitement, waiting with bated breath for the Grand Prix series. Yay!

For the meantime, I, together with my fellow Mao Asada fans, will delight myself with your FS music—"Liebestraum" by Franz Lizst. Everytime I hear this song, I remember American figure skater Nicole Bobek, because it's the same music that she used in 1998. Oh did I mention that she was magical at the 1998 US Nationals? I am confident that you can give more justice to this beautiful music, Mao.

Why Oh Why, Yuna Queen?

Okay, I just found out through Wikipedia that the 2010 Olympic Champion Yuna Kim is sitting out the 2010-2011 Grand Prix of Figure Skating because she wants to prepare for the 2011 World Championships, which will be held at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium in Tokyo between March 21 and 27, 2011. *Groans*

According to reports, she is supposed to be competing at the 2010 Cup of China and to the 2010 Cup of Russia. Shame shame, an amazing showdown between Yuna and Miki Ando (both former World Champions) will never happen.
 
I wonder why. Maybe she's planning to upset the defending World Champion Mao Asada in her home country as sort of a payback after Mao defeated her at the 2008-2009 ISU Grand Prix Final that was held in Yuna's turf, Goyang, South Korea.

Oh well. I guess skating fans will have to watch the Grand Prix circuit without Queen Yuna. I can't wait for her camp to reveal what her skating music will be for the 2011 World Championships.

Whatever happened to...

Whatever happened to Tara Lipinski?

Honestly, way before I fell in love with Korean skating superstar Yuna Kim and the Japanese thriller (no pun intended) Mao Asada, there was a skating sprite that captured my heart and got my eyes glued on the TV set like a crazed maniac (okay, not the best of metaphors).

Tara Lipinski, who burst onto the scene in 1997 with her charming smile and impressive jumping ability, was the one who got me hooked on figure skating. To this day, I haven't forgotten the exact moment I first saw her on TV. 

It was an advertisement for ESPN, where she along with other young phenoms were heralded by the sporting world as the next breed of superstars. I don't exactly remember who else were there, though. What I do remember was that I was intrigued by the little jumping machine from Detroit Skating Club. Although the advertisement didn't exactly inspired me to get out of the house and dash off to the nearest internet cafe (at the time, we didn't have internet service, yikes!), it did spark curiosity in me.

A couple of days later, I found myself in front of a computer (at an internet cafe, of course), searching for videos and every bit of info about Tara Lipinski. From then on, I stumbled upon Michelle Kwan, who would become the US's most decorated skater and a legend in the skating world.

It didn't take long before I became addicted with all things Figure Skating. I would record skating videos (regardless who were skating), clip newspaper articles, collect magazines that featured either Michelle or Tara. I guess what heightened my obsession with figure skating was Michelle and Tara's exciting rivalry on the ice, which the US media spun and glorified into biblical proportions.

Of course, the drama became more exciting when the 1998 Olympic season reached fever pitch. While Michelle Kwan was a personal favorite, I rooted for Tara to win the Olympic gold. And she did.

I remember holding my breath when she would set up for her signature triple loop-triple loop combination jump, the most difficult combination jump that a female skater did at the time. I also remember shouting at the top of my lungs when she nailed it, and completed the rest of her long program without a wrong step. I actually stopped myself from crying when her marks came up.

Yes, that was a decade ago. And now, I don't exactly know what she's up to, although I do stumble across skating videos that have her as a commentator once in a while. I read somewhere she suffered a serious hip injury, which she never recovered from, a couple of years after joining the pros. While the likes of Yuna Kim, Mao Asada, Sasha Cohen, Mirai Nagasu and Caroline Zhang continue to pique my interest in the sport, I just find it sad that someone great like Tara Lipinski had to hang her skating boots in the closet a little too early. I wonder how she would fare against today's formidable contenders.

Care to update me?

First Post

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