Skating Updates

A few pieces of skating news while we wait for the ladies short to start...

Daisuke Takahashi confirms again that he plans to skate until Sochi; also talks about quads and his readiness for this season, among other things.

Brandon Mroz's quad lutz was officially recognized.

Adam Rippon plans a quad lutz at Skate Canada; if he lands it, he'll be the first one to do so internationally.

Ashley Wagner and Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir spoke to Icenetwork about this season.

Skating Updates

Icenetwork spoke to Javier Fernandez about some of his plans for next season, skating's growing popularity in his home country, and his Pirates of the Caribbean program.

Nathan Chen won the 3A award (which in all reality, has nothing to do with triple axels. =P ). He plans to use the $1,000 prize to train with Rafael Arutunian this summer. 

Caydee Denney and John Coughlin announced their partnership today. 

A couple of articles on Elena Ilinykh and Nikita Katsalapov's coaching change to Morozov from Alexander Zhulin (use google translate).

Ryan Bradley talks about his plans and his expectations for the U.S. men next season. 

 Joannie Rochette has enjoyed being away from competition this past season.

Ksenia Makarova, Johnny Weir, and some others are skating in a cancer benefit.

Madison and Keiffer Hubbell have announced the end of their partnership. Madison will compete with Zach Donohue next season while Keiffer is reportedly considering his options.

Skating Updates

 

Ryan Bradley is retiring from competition. He plans to continue being involved in skating and is going to try to keep his eligibility should the urge to compete strike him again. I wish Ryan the best of luck and while I wish Worlds would have gone more smoothly for him, I truly look forward to seeing him skate in shows - he's such a great performer.

Sarah and Drew talked to Alex Shibutani about he and Maia's World medal win, their stop in Paris, and their excitement for next season.

Federica Faiella and Massimo Scali have taken back their retirement! 

The ISU fiddled with some values of elements, GOEs, and requirements for levels.

Evgeni Plushenko wants to become a legend.

U.S. Figure Skating's Coach of the Year nominations are up. 



Adam Rippon attempting a quad lutz. It looks around 1/4 underrotated, but I'm really curious to see if he can get it all the way around over this summer.

Skating Updates

Evgeni Plushenko is seeking ISU reinstatement

Some notes from Moscow

Czisny is relaxed and ready to go

Chan leads after the men's short

Be sure to keep checking Universal Sports and IceNetwork for videos and pictures from Worlds, and here for more updates!

Skating Updates

 Takahiko Kozuka won the qualifying round in a stunning fashion, his sole mistake being an underrotated quad toe.

An article on Rachael Flatt concerning Worlds and her future skating and college plans.

An article on Yankowskas & Coughlin, Savchenko & Szolkowy, and Alexander Majorov.

Lastly, it is Alex Shibutani's 20th birthday today! Happy birthday Alex, and good luck at Worlds! (see _skating for a celebration post)

Skating Updates

So sorry for the lack of posting! I've been enjoying the calm before the storm that is Worlds. Updates will definitely be a LOT more frequent when it is about to start. That said, here's some recent skating news!

There will be a free Russian live stream of Worlds!

Japanese skating fans should be pleased to hear that Fuji TV will be covering Worlds.

A new Alissa Czisny article by Phil Hersh.

Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir talk about Tessa's injury at 4 Continents, and how the delay of Worlds has enabled them to polish their free dance.They have changed a lift to avoid straining her quad again.

Meryl Davis and Charlie White also believe that the wait has been beneficial, but haven't made any changes to their programs.They're trying not to think about the prospect of being the first U.S. Dance team to win Worlds too much.

An interview with Rachael Flatt.

The Final Round of Fantasy Skating is open!

Patrick Chan talks about his hopes for Worlds. 

Ryan Bradley talks about Worlds (of course) and competing against Daisuke Takahashi at World Juniors in 2002. 

Maia and Alex Shibutani spoke to Icenetwork about their five favorite things.

An update from the ISU. Of interest is the fact they have approved the idea of 3 new pro am competitions, as well as allowing (requiring?) seeded skaters to compete in 3 Grand Prixs each season.

Skating Updates

Sarah and Drew's latest blog, featuring interviews from behind the scenes at the annual Ice Chips skating show in Boston. They spoke to Xue Shen and Hongbo Zhao, Stephen Carriere, and Ross Miner.

An interview with Nathalie Pechalat and Fabian Bourzat on their hopes for Worlds.

An update on Kimmie Meissner. It does not sound like she will be returning to competition.

Universal Sports and Icenetwork will both offer coverage of Worlds online. Article with details here.

Midori Ito will be competing at an ISU adult competition. This is the first time I've EVER heard of a former elite skater doing this, and I think it's quite fantastic. Who knows; maybe Midori will spark a trend.

Jeremy Abbott dyed his hair and talks about boots,quads, and next season.

Skating Updates

  Shawn Sawyer has announced his retirement from competition. He will be missed. Shawn does plan to keep skating in shows though, so keep an eye out for shows in your area, just in case. ;) 

 Adam Rippon has left Brian Orser and will train with Ghislain Briand, whom has been a part of his coaching team for a couple of years. Adam will continue training at the Cricket Club in Toronto.

An article on Sean Rabbitt's love for Japan and him organizing Skaters Care.
The Gardena Spring Trophy has begun. Here's an article on the U.S. team participating.

Universal Sports chatted with Tanith Belbin on Skype.

Peter Oppegard has joined Yu-Na Kim in Korea to continue her training for Worlds.

P.S. None of the news from today are April Fool's jokes, as far as I know. If any are, I'll update this and remove it or make a note about it, haha. I might add more articles if more come in today, so please check back for updates!

Skating Updates

Shawn Sawyer & Myriane Samson will not be competing at Worlds; Myraine is injured & Shawn is choosing to skate in Canadian Stars on Ice instead. They will be replaced by Kevin Reynolds and Amelie Lacoste

Russia will expedite the visa process for Worlds.

Hungarian ice dancer Nora Hoffman is undergoing treatment for an illness.

Melissa Gregory & Denis Petukhov are holding a skating show.


Alexe Gilles has left Tom Z for Yuka Sato & Jason Dungjen

A recent article on Rachael Flatt.

A recent article on Alissa Czisny.

Sinead Kerr & John Kerr have withdrawn from Worlds - she is having shoulder surgery today.

Sarah & Drew's latest blog - it contains a little more info on the Kerrs' withdrawal and more about the Skaters Care show.

Alissa Czisny's coach Jason Dungjen will be going to Worlds.

UPDATED: Sinead Kerr & John Kerr have announced their retirement from competition. I wish them all the best in future endeavors and a swift recovery for Sinead.

Skating Updates

Marina Zoueva & Carol Lane talk about waiting for Worlds

A translation of the French Federation's offer to give Japan next year's Worlds

Yu-Na Kim gave a sneak peek of her new short program


& will make a pitch for Korea's bid for the 2018 Olympics

All That Skate Korea announcement

 Finally and most importantly, Worlds has been moved to Russia and will take place April 24th - May 1st!


The ISU announcement

Phil Hersh's take on it - includes snippets with Meryl Davis 

Universal Sports spoke to Ross Miner about Worlds' relocation . Apparently the rink in Sendai, Japan, is gone, which is where World Junior Champion and 2011 Four Continents Silver Medalist Yuzuru Hanyu trains if I'm not mistaken. :-/

They also spoke to Rachael Flatt, Mark Ladwig, Michal Brezina, & Meryl Davis 

Patrick Chan article

Skating Updates

Well, the ISU President has now stated the obvious -  Worlds will not be held in Japan (The Japan Skating Federation handed it back over, acknowledging they can't hold it at this time), which thankfully means no Worlds in October. World Team Trophy will now be moved to April of 2012, dates to be determined ( not that anyone really cares about that event at this point). The ISU is officially taking bids for new locations for Worlds on Tuesday, deciding Wednesday or Thursday, and announcing their decision on Friday.

Here's more of the latest on Worlds & skaters.

Worlds trying to find new site

More info from Phil Hersh

Hersh Spoke to the ISU President again

Universal sports theorizes on whether Yu-Na Kim will compete at a rescheduled Worlds

Denver Post article on U.S. Worlds Bids

Another Hersh article

If more articles come today, I'll likely edit them in, so be sure to check back for the latest!

Skating Updates

I'll likely edit more news into this if much more is announced today, so be sure to check back. =)

Yu-Na Kim is going back to Korea 

Alissa Czisny shares her opinion with Phil Hersh

Moving Worlds being considered, waiting until Monday

Patrick Chan article with an, er, interesting quote.  

California skating club to host a charity event for Japanese earthquake relief

An updated Phil Hersh article

Skating Updates

Sorry about the lateness of some of this news - I've been wrapped up the the whole Worlds drama.

There was a lot of break ups for teams announced recently - Zhang & Toth, Bereswill & Young, and perhaps most surprisingly, Dube & Davison.

Florent Amodio was in Japan during the earthquake, but is now back in France, as the French federation was quite concerned over the nuclear problems.

Sarah & Drew spoke to Mirai Nagasu

Evan Lysacek won the Sullivan Award.

Faiella & Scali have officially retired.

Various articles on Worlds (semi chronological order)

Shibutani's initial thoughts

Davis & White's thoughts


Daisuke Takahashi & Mao Asada speak about the situations

Ryan Bradley's thoughts

Still no decision by the ISU & discussion of Worlds possibly being in OCTOBER

American coaches give their thoughts on the possibility of Worlds in October


ISU President Cinquata spoke to Phil Hersh (contradicting at least one earlier statement)

Translation of an article on Florent Amodio's thoughts

French Federations thoughts
 
Golden Skate gathered the thoughts of some skaters about Worlds & Japan.

Sarah and Drew blog also talking to skaters about the tragedy & Worlds.

The U.S., Sweden, & Russia have offered to host Worlds now also, in addition to Switzerland & Italy offering several days ago.

Worlds decision to come Friday or Monday

Skating Updates

I'll do a more thorough post covering some of the recent happenings sometime soon (sorry, I've been wrapped up in the news about Japan & have been out.)

The biggest story skating wise is concerning whether or not Worlds will be canceled. The ISU says that an announcement will be made no later than tomorrow. Here is the full statement.