Coaching Shuffle Recap

Just to recap...

4/1/11 - Adam Rippon goes from Brian Orser to Ghislain Briand

5/17/11 - Caydee Denney leaves John Zimmerman and joins John Coughlin with Dalilah Sappenfield

6/3/11 - Agnes Zawadzki leaves Tom Zakrajsek and heads back to David Santee via Christy Krall

6/14/11 - Javier Fernandez announces he will begin training with Brian Orser, leaving Nikolai Morozov

6/14/11 - Ashley Wagner announces she'll head west and train with John Nicks, leaving Priscilla Hill

6/15/11 - Adam Rippon announces he'll train with Jason Dungjen, leaving temporary coach Ghislain Briand

So who's next...

@arlewis1 Tweeted:

Breaking News: Kim Yu-Na to train with Peter Oppegard

Kim Yu-Na has just announced that she will train under Peter Oppegard at the East West Ice Palace in Artesia, California.

Peter Oppegard is best known for winning the Olympic Bronze medal in Pairs with partner Jill Watson at the 1988 Calgary Olympics. He is also married to Michelle Kwan's sister, Karen Kwan.

Other coaches at the East West Ice Palace include Karen Kwan, Naomi Nari Nam, Derrick Delmore, and Jere Michael amongst others.

What is unclear is the extent of her training with Peter as she continues to mull her competitive future.

Kim Yu-Na Announces New Coach

An announcement is expected this afternoon at 4pm CST concerning Kim Yu-Na's new coach.

Kim Yu-Na will make the announcement at the East/West Ice Palace in Artesia, California.

Kim Yu-Na makes this announcement after a well publicized messy part with Brian Orser.

I'll make sure to post as soon as the announcement comes.

Who's It Gonna Be?

Kim Yu-Na is expected to name her new coach soon.

We know that it's a guy...

We know that he's L.A. based...

We think it's whittled down to two possible choices...

So let speculation begin. It all kind of reaks of Frank Carroll doesn't it? But he has a full plate. Evan, while he is having his fun on the side, may return to competition (re-cue State of the Skate's eye roll). There's Mirai Nagasu, Carolina Kostner, and who knows how many other lesser known skaters.

Ken Congemi? Gary Visconti? Rafael Arutunian? John Nicks? Todd Sand?

You have to think it's high profile. You also have to think if this much effort is being put into the decision she is at least considering some type of competitive move forward.

Thoughts?

Asada Names Nobuo Sato New Coach

Nobuo Sato has long been one of the leading Japanese Coaches and it comes as little surprise that Mao Asada would choose him as her new coach.

Asada has been looking for a new coach since splitting up with Tatiana Tarasova. Tarasova was heavily criticized for 'weighing down' Asada's skating last season with an over dramatic and heavy free program.

Nobuo currently coaches, among others, Takahiko Kozuka. At one point or another, he's coached a good portion of the top Japanese competitors.

I think Mao will flourish under Nobuo's tuteledge.

BREAKING NEWS: Kim Yu-Na and Brian Orser Part Ways

What happened?!?! Arguably one of the most successful coach/skater partnerships ever has come to an end. Korean news has reported that Kim Yu-Na and Brian Orser have parted ways. It is also reported that for the time David Wilson will continue to work with Kim (the translation makes it seem as if he would be her coach...not sure on this bit). David Wilson is currently choreographing Kim Yu-Na's new free skate.

More to report as more info comes.

Update: It would appear that Kim's mother as well and a representative from AT Sports met with Orser way back on August 2nd and he was informed then he would not be retained as Kim's coach.

"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."

Let the speculation begin....what would cause the split?

Denney and Barrett On The Move

Reigning U.S. National Pairs Champions Caydee Denney and Jeremy Barrett have announced they will be now be coached by John Zimmerman and Silvia Fontana-Zimmerman at the Saveology Iceplex in Coral Springs, Florida ending their partnership with Jim Peterson, Alison Smith, and Lyndon Johnston. Sylvia Fontana-Zimmerman is the five-time Italian National Champion and married John Zimmerman in 2003. John is the three-time U.S. Pairs Champion with Kyoko Ina.

"We feel this change is necessary to take our skating to the next level," Barrett told U.S. Figure Skating. "We look forward to working with John and Silvia. They were great competitors, and we feel they have a lot to offer as coaches."

"Silvia and I are looking forward to great things from Caydee and Jeremy," Zimmerman said. "We’re honored to continue the amazing work Jim, Lyndon and Alison have done, and are excited to get the season under way."

The move from the Tampa/St. Petersburg area to the Ft. Lauderdale/Miami area also puts distance between dating couple Jeremy Barrett and Amanda Evora, who along with Mark Ladwig are the reigning U.S. Silver Medalists and now former training partners to Caydee and Jeremy.

The split appears to be an amicable one with both sides mutually respectful.

"It is difficult to lose a team at this early stage in their career," Peterson said. "However, Alison, Lyndon and I are proud of guiding Caydee and Jeremy to their goals of representing the United States as Olympians and achieving a national title in a short period of time. Both are talented athletes and competitors, and we wish them all the best in the future."

"Jim, Lyndon, Alison and the staff at Ellenton Ice Rink have done so much for us as skaters and as people," Denney said. "We would like to thank everyone there for supporting us and believing in us."

Caroline's Numerous Flip-Flop's Explained

I think I put two and two together here.

Remember when Caroline Zhang left Li Mingzhu to train with Charlene Wong, only in September to about-face and reverse course back to Li Mingzhu? It all makes sense now.

When Caroline made the initial switch to Wong she said she "needed a change" to improve her skating. But I believe it had more to do with Li Mingzhu being in talks to coach China's Women's Skating Team.

News broke yesterday that Li Mingzhu has inked a four year deal to coach the Chinese Women's Team. Zhao Yinggang, director of China's Winter Sports Administrative Center, said "negotiations have been going on since last year." Just about the time Zhang thought she would be out of a coach. Deal didn't go through for that season and Zhang gets to keep her coach. Deal goes through and Zhang now again is out a coach. Thus, last week's announcement that Caroline is switching coaches to Tammy Gambill.

"I am grateful for my time with Coach Li," Zhang said in a US Figure Skating Press Release. "She has not only been a great coach for the past five years, but also a good friend to me and my family."

I get the feeling Zhang would have stuck it out with Li had the deal from China not come.

Pic of the Week

Coaching Changes are abound! Several of my blogging contemporaries have filled you in on Samuelson and Bates' intention to train with the power duo Igor Shpilband and Marina Zoueva. We also caught wind a couple of weeks ago that Denis Ten will make the move to L.A. to train with Frank Carroll.

Nobunari Oda, too, it seems is making a switch too...or rather a return. Oda is going back to Lee Barkell", who coached him as a young'in and was Oda's coach as he debuted on the Senior level.

This season has been a complete head scratcher as far as Nobunari is concerned. Brilliant start at Trophy Eric Bompard and continued great performances all the way through until his Olympic Free Skate where he had to stop mid program, breaking that great Charlie Chaplin character and ending with an uninspiring finish. Then at worlds he popped every single jump in his short and failed to even qualify for the free skate...ouch.

Sometimes you just need a change. It's hard to say that Morozov, who coached Oda the past several seasons, is at fault with this poor season finish. Up until that Olympic Free Skate Oda was on a roll. I think it is just a shake-up that one has to go through to refocus themselves...get out of the comfort zone if you will.

He has his sights set on Sochi, fully committing himself to compete for the next four years training in both Japan and Canada. Time will tell if Oda can finally put all the pieces together.

Coaching unshuffle

I think Caroline Zhang has brought the summer of coaching reshuffling to an end with an anti-climatic unshuffle!

She announced officially yesterday (the rumors had been flying for over a week) that she is returning to Mingzhu Li. Three months ago, Caroline switched from Li to train with Charlene Wong. Wong had formerly coached 2008 National Champ Mirai Nagasu who recently switched to Frank Carroll.

It's not a complete split though. Zhang told the press she'll continue to work with Wong on "choreography and footwork."

Hopefully that's the last shuffle I'll report and we can move ahead with the skating season.

UPDATE: At the last second, two more teams decided to switch coaches just in time to be the final skaters to do so this summer (literally...just hours before the autumnal equinox!). Gilles and Donohue as well as Summersett and Gilles have left Patti Gottwein at the Broadmoor Skating Club to train with Elizabeth Punsalan Swallow at the Detroit Skating Club. Jeremy Abbott made the same skating club switch earlier this summer. You can read the full story here.

The Globe Trot

So much going on around the world these days!

The biggest off all the news coming from Korea where Ice All Stars has wrapped successfully. Of course Michelle Kwan made her return (although not competitive) to the ice. There was quite a cast and I hope to bring you all some more info on that soon in a separate post. Also, Kim revealed her music choices for next season. James Bond for the SP and Piano Concerto in F for the free.

To Germany where the Nebelhorn Trophy entries have been announced. This event is uniquely important this season as it serves as an Olympic Qualifier for those nations that performed (or didn't perform at all) poorly at last season's World Championships in Los Angeles. To that end, Stéphane Lambiel will be competing there as Switzerland needs to qualify a spot in Vancouver. Fedor Andreev will be competing on behalf of Azerbaijan to attempt the same. Other notable competitors in the event include: Yannick Ponsero, Brandon Mroz, Kiira Korpi, Fumie Suguri, Alissa Czisny, Sarah Meier, Savchenko and Szolkowy, Castile and Okolski, Kerr and Kerr, and Davis and White. This event takes place Sept. 24 - 27 in Obsterdorf, Germany.

Here in the U.S., the IOC, USOC, and NBC are all still squabbling about the proposed Comcast/USOC Olympic Network. Another coaching change to report, this time it's 2008 U.S. Bronze Medalist Stephen Carriere who will now train under Priscilla Hill. Overheard Rumor...McLaughlin and Brubaker's free skate will be to Slumdog Millionaire. If so, I'm way excited...that would be an awesome piece for them. Also, Scott Hamilton is getting back on the ice!

In Japan, Mao Asada continues to prepare for the toughest season of her career. In a recent article she told press reporters, "want to land a triple axel. I’ll push myself even more in practice and hopefully I can get started with a good season in my first event." She'll get the chance to strut her stuff at the Japan Open which is October 15-18. Also, seems Daisuke Takahashi was interested in Kim Yu-Na's ice show as he was spotted at the event.

And from Canada, news of the Teflon of sort. What am I talking about? Skate Canada and T-Fal have teamed together to offer commemorative Skate Canada frying pans. A portion of the proceeds go to the Skate Canada Athletes Fund which provides financial assistance to it's athletes. "It's hard to express the wonderful work T-fal has done to support our athletes and sport. These new pans are absolutely gorgeous and are a perfect addition to any kitchen," said Debbi Wilkes, Skate Canada Director Marketing and Communications. Perhaps at Canadian National's, the likes of Rochette and Chan will get a frying pan along with their medals?

Be sure to follow me on Twitter @skating102 for skating news, tidbits, and other fun information!

Yet more shuffling...

(Insert "Hustle" music)"Do the Shuffle...Da da da da da da da da da"

Yes, we come to another round of coaching changes. This time, it's Caroline Zhang, who has left her coach of 4 years Mingzhu Li and will now train under the tutledge of Charlene Wong.

No, you're not mistaken, Charlene Wong IS the coach Mirai Nagasu just left to train with Frank Carroll.

"I feel that I need a change to further improve my skating, so I have chosen to work with Charlene," Zhang to Ice Network. "I feel she will be able to add a new dimension to my skating."

Interesting, interesting, interesting. Who's next to switch coaches?

Summer Shuffle...Again!

Wow...I mean really? This is getting bizzarre...

Now Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker have switched it up! No longer with U.S. Pairs Guru Dalilah Sappenfield, they'll be training now with John Nicks.

John Nicks is of course famous for coaching the likes of Starbuck and Shelley, Babilonia and Gardner, Meno and Sand, as well as Sasha Cohen.

Rockne Brubaker told U.S. Figure Skating, "After careful consideration, and with support from Dalilah, Keauna and I made the decision to make this change as we approach this very important season. We look forward to working with Mr. Nicks this season to attain our goals of qualifying for the Grand Prix Final, retaining our U.S. title and preparing for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games."

The duo will train with Nicks at Aliso Viejo. In a case of coincidence, that is also where Inoue and Baldwin will be training with Meno and Sand, Nicks' former pupils.

Any bets on who the next to switch will be?

BREAKING NEWS: Summer Shuffle

The coaching summer shuffle continues...

This time it's Mirai Nagasu. Nagasu has left long-time coach Charlene Wong and will train along side Evan Lysacek with Frank Carroll for this very important upcoming season.

"At the end of the season I felt like I really needed a change. After a lot of thought and deliberation, we decided that the right choice was to begin training with Mr. Carroll" Nagasu told NBC's Universal Sports.

An important decision, as the ante has been up'd for next season with Sasha Cohen's return to competitive skating and only two Olympic Berths available for the women. Next season it will take everything Mirai can bring to the table for her to make the U.S. Olympic Team.

And if you're following Michelle Kwan on Twitter...let's just say she's keeping the guessing game going...

So will Nagasu's big move pan out in the end? Only time will tell...

Summer Shuffle

Let the skating coach summer shuffle begin.

Rena Inoue and John Baldwin have announced they are switching coaches. They have decided to go with 3-Time U.S. National Pair Champions Jenni (Meno) and Todd Sand. The pair was previously coached by Phillip Mills.

John told Ice Network, "We have always looked up to Jeni and Todd as a pair, and we see many similarities between their career and ours both on and off the ice." Rena added, "Johnny and I are so lucky to have the opportunity to work with one of the most accomplished teams in the history on the sport."

Hopefully Jeni and Todd can bring the inner grace out of this team, assuming it's in there, and put them back on the skating map. Last season was a bit of a wash after a poor showing at U.S. Nationals that left them off the World team. Unfortunate as the World Championships were right in John's backyard, Los Angeles.

The biggest things I hope Jeni and Todd do for them is help them with the choreography which, for the past two seasons, has been less than stellar and work out the side-by-side triple toes. Ironically, John's biggest hurdle, the side-by-side jumps was also Todd Sand's Achilles Heel.

Maybe if they all put their head's together they can figure out a plan that works for this team.

p.s. When is the wedding?

Another one...

And it appears Mao Asada will be coached by Tatiana Tarasova!

What happened anyway between Mao and Rafael Artunian? That was never quite clear. It was just like she decided not to return to California sometime after the Four Continents Cup...very strange.

Summer of change continues...

Another skater has changed coaches!

This time it's Ashley Wagner. She has left Shirley Hughes in DC to train with Priscilla Hill. Hill also coaches Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov.

"I'm hoping this change helps bring a new maturity to my skating and brings me closer to my dream of competing in the Olympic Games," Wagner said. "I appreciate all that Mrs. Hughes has done for me; I wouldn't have made it to the World Championships without her. Right now I'm concentrating on my future and where this change will take me."

"I am very proud of Ashley and all we accomplished together," Hughes said. "I wish her the best of luck in all her future endeavors." Nice to see them part ways amicably.

Geez, who's next...so many changes!

More coach swapping!

Now Tanith and Ben have new training mates...Domnina and Shabalin of Russia.

Reportedly, the duo has decided to take from Natalia Linichuk and Gennadi Karponosov whom Belbin and Agosto just switched to in April. Not exactly sure what has prompted the No. 1 team from Russia to make the change?

Interestingly, Oksana and Max are one of Tanith and Ben's biggest competitors and the teams have had quite a rivalry on the Grand Prix for the past couple of seasons. Wonder how Tanith and Ben are taking this?

Oy! These skaters and their coaching changes!

More shuffling

The figure skating coaching shuffle continues. Today, Stéphane Lambiel announced that he is leaving long-time coach (13 years) Peter Grütter to train in Wayne, New Jersey with Viktor Petrenko and Galina Zmievskaya. It marks the first time Stéphane will train in the U.S.

Which of course means that Johnny Weir was a new training mate, as Johnny also is coached by the duo. Johnny's principal coach is Galina, while Stéphane's will be Viktor, however, both will help with both skaters. It's kind of like Frank Carroll and Ken Congemi or Mark Mitchell and Peter Johansson...everyone helps!

On his official website, Stéphane spoke of Peter: "It has been a difficult decision. I owe a lot to Peter Grütter. We part on good terms and remain friends." Apparently given that the Olympics are less than two years away and over the past two seasons he's gone from Defending World Champion, to World Bronze Medalist, to fifth place at World's (not the direction you want to go heading towards an Olympics), some changes needed to be made.

Two of the sports most artistic talents training together...should be interesting! I think these two can really push each other.

Another Coaching Split!

Well another high profile skater has parted ways with his coach.

It's coming in from various sources (Dig Deep See Clear, Required Elements) that Daisuke Takahashi from Japan has split with coach Nikolai Morozov. Even more shocking, Morozov has taken on a new student, Takahashi's main national rival, Nobunari Oda!

Apparently Takahashi felt he was going to get the most attention leading up to the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver...guess not!

Another thing to note, it has been Morozov's choreographic genius that has produced some memorable programs from Daisuke over the past couple seasons (Phantom of the Opera, Cyberswan, Romeo and Juliet)...who will Daisuke get to choreograph his programs with the same intensity? Kurt Browning, Christopher Dean...are you available?