As the Skating World Turns - Coaching Changes

Kim and Orser are no more. The summer is usually a time of coach swapping here are some other swtiches:

2009 US Champ, Alissa Czisny, will continue to train at the DSC but will work with Yuka Sato. I'd love to watch Yuka Sato coaching in Detroit. What a lovely session between a trio of beautiful skaters: Yuka, Jeremy Abbott and Alissa. I think a change of pace could be good for Alissa, but I'm not sure if Yuka can completely overcome Alissa's previous challenges with nerves.

2007 US Champ, Kimmie Meissner made a coaching change to be closer to home. She had been working with Richard Callaghan and Todd Eldredge in Florida, and is now working with Chris Conte back in Maryland. This change occurred pre-summer as Kimmie was coming back from a knee injury. Here's hoping to a great comeback this year!

Speaking of Florida skaters, this week, Denney and Barrett also announced they are leaving their coaches to train with husband and wife team, John Zimmerman and Silvia Fontana just down the road. This move was rather surprising. Their previous coaching team of Jim Peterson, Lyndon Johnston and Alison Smith. THis team was just named "Developmental Coaches of the Year" by the PSA and seem to be building a great training base for US pairs. However, the other top pair team, Evora and Ladwig, trained with them so maybe the friendly competition was changing to full on rivalry. Find more here: IceNetwork News

The ice dancing team of Emily Samuelson and Evan Bates also made a change of the neighborhood move. They are now in Canton, MI with the mega-team of Igor Shpilband and Marina Zoueva. Another rink filled with greatness, I just hope it doesn't end up pushing a team out as well.

Caroline Zhang is now coached by Tammy Gambill after her former coach, Mingzhu Li became the head coach of the Chinese team. Tammy Gambill has had some great up and coming skaters lately, perhaps she can fix Zhang's miserable flutz for this season.

I believe Mao Asada and Brian Joubert have some shakeups in their coaching teams as well, however I can't find the exact info. If anyone knows, definitely pass it along in the comments.