Fire Near the "Springs" Ice; Samuelson/Gilles Dissolution

Readers: do me a favor, would you? Leave a comment if you happen to live in a part of the world that is receiving enough or nearly enough rain right now. It might prove comforting to be reminded of places that are NOT bone-dry and blistering hot as it is here in the Midwestern USA.



And IF YOU LIVE NEAR COLORADO SPRINGS or any other locale suffering under the strain of recent or ongoing forest fires, I’d love it if you left a comment letting us know how you, your neighborhood, loved ones, etc. are doing. As with the earthquake/tsunami that rocked Japan last year, disasters like these resonate all the more when you feel a personal connection to the victims... and I like to think skating enthusiasts such as us share a common bond, no matter where in the world we happen to be.


While I don’t have any immediate family in Colorado, former classmates and current Facebook friends of mine do, and have provided their own accounts over the past few weeks... and of course concern escalated as stories/updates about “The Springs” and the Waldo Canyon fire became the mainstay not just on Facebook and Twitter, but the Ice Network website (where even the staff at USFS issued a statement to concerned fans about the relative safety of their headquarters). Whether you keep thoughts for the firefighters and other emergency responders involved, the victims of bodily and/or property damage, the ones evacuated, or the weather conditions... here’s a Saturday update.  Let the prayers and good thoughts continue; the battle is far from over.


Colorado Springs is clearly one of the great U.S. figure skating hubs, and Detroit (and/or) Ann Arbor is another one. Most of the flurry of recent Michigan skating news has involved the public split of a certain coaching team, and the custody issues (for lack of a better term) that have erupted in their wake. But those of us who were wondering about a sort of off-the-radar Michigan dance team by the name of Emily Samuelson and Todd Gilles, wonder no more. Samuelson issued a statement this week on Facebook about the break-up of the team, which finished 8th at its Nationals debut this past winter. Interestingly, she writes in the initial paragraph “US Figure Skating will not be writing an official press release...” but Ice Network was quick to pick up her FB statement and turn it into this headliner on their website. Maybe the fire or some other unforseen circumstance kept them from covering this particular split on their own; nonetheless, I tend to think a 2010 Olympian (which Samuelson is, of course) deserves better than having to be her own press agent in a situation like this. As with Caitlin Yankowskas last season, it’s a crying shame to see an elite skater standing on the sidelines, partner-less in what could well be the athletic/artistic prime of her career. The difference is that at least Yankowskas (who is now partnered with Joshua Reagan) has two solid seasons to try and make a bid for the Sochi Olympics... whereas even if Samuelson found another partner late this summer—which seems unlikely, to read her statement— her Sochi chances would be extremely diminished, especially with an ice dance field as deep as we have now in the U.S.

But she remains upbeat, to her enormous credit, despite facing little more than career adversity in the years since Vancouver. More power to her!

Are All of These June Skating Headlines? Well, Not Exactly...

So much skating news in so little time... even in the “quiet” month of June!

Your mission: to A) find one of the headlines below that did NOT happen in past couple of weeks but maybe you’d like it to... and/or B) find the headline on which you’d like a blogger such as myself to offer some sort of commentary, humorous or otherwise.

And of course, your own commentary is welcome in the aptly-named “comments” section! Dig in, all! 

Jamie Sale gets remarried

Takahashi reunites with Morozov

Contesti retires from amateur skating

Kurt Browning trying his hand on Broadway

ISU allows vocals in other disciplines outside of ice dance

Zueva & Shpilband reconcile business partnership; adopt new ice dance team from South Africa

Adam Rippon severs ties to most of his hair 

Zueva 3, Shipilband 1: Igor rallies with the U.S. team Chock/Bates

Johnny Weir to appear on PBS Kids show

Kim Yu-Na still deciding about Sochi 2014

Jennifer Kirk's Brave, Wise Use of Social Media

The older we get, and the longer we follow figure skating, the more we think of the sequins and chiffon and stage-quality hair and makeup as little more than sparkly diversions from the sweat, scrapes, and hard-earned bruises of the athlete in question. We know it’s a tough sport that requires supreme athletic skill, benefits from amazing grace, and thrives on steel-belted nerves in competition. What we don’t know are the desperate lengths some will go to—when no one is looking—in order to find a modicum of peace in ice skating’s perpetually shuddering world.

Well, we know of a few. We know about Jamie Silverstein, a U.S. ice dancer and 2006 Olympian whose battle with anorexia and bulimia kept her out of the sport for quite a while. We know about Akiko Suzuki, Japan’s current World Bronze Medalist, who might never have reached such heights in the sport had her own eating disorder issues handicapped her chances in skating for more than a few years.
And, recently, we were reminded of Jennifer Kirk. She and Suzuki are only a little more than 6 months apart in age, and both were ravaged by eating disorders in the early part of the 2000s. But the path to recovery is not the same for everyone. We knew this well enough when Kirk wrote about herself—and countless, nameless others—in this 2009 article.

 Now, thanks in part to a conversation she started on her blog May 29—one that delves even deeper into the darkness that crept into Kirk’s life both before and after she left the sport—we know there’s still so much more to talk about. Whether an athlete (or anyone, really) turns to binge eating, starvation, binge drinking or self-injury—all of which Kirk apparently engaged in— it’s a highly complex exercise in self-destruction, typically with bushels of symptoms that few, if any, can detect.


To be sure, the subject as it relates to figure skating has been visited before. Little Girls in Pretty Boxes by Joan Ryan, first published in 1995, was one of the first to shine a bright light on it for both skaters and gymnasts.



And Kathryn Bertine’s All the Sundays Yet to Come, released in 2003, is a harrowing (yet somehow delightfully wry as well) journey into the drastic measures the author took in order to maintain a post-competitive career in skating. I happen to be 2/3 through my copy right now, so it’s fresh in my mind (and highly recommended, by the way).



Sometimes it takes an easily identified name and face to really click—if not with the subjects itself, with the parents and coaches who enjoyed Kirk’s skating. And in this day and age of social media and all its pros and cons, there’s no better time to use Facebook and You Tube (she has her own channel there now too, look for it!) not just for GOOD, but for EDUCATION and for POSITIVE COMMUNICATION. Jenny Kirk’s opening some big, important doors these days... whether you’re a skater, coach, official, or fan; whether you’ve suffered through similar problems or none of them, her words are crucial. Please take them to heart, and share them with others.



Having lost a childhood friend to anorexia myself, I can’t help but believe that the “unrealized dream” that Kirk speaks of is something of a misnomer. She left her Olympic dream behind, yes, but in its wake, she could be doing something much bigger-- she could well be saving lives by sharing her own. As “realized” dreams go, we all know it doesn't get much better than that.

The Shpilband Situation, and Other Headlines You Never Expected to See

This week’s bombshell in the world of skating news was something of a corker, you might say. You surely know the headlines by now (paraphrased in this case):


+ Igor Shpilband Fired From Arctic Edge Ice Arena


+ Shpilband Stunned, Searches for another Michigan Rink


+ Marina Zueva (his now-former coaching partner) cites a “Conflict of Interest” on Shpilband’s Part


+ Top Two U.S. Ice Dance Teams Announce They Will Continue with Zueva


+ Skate Canada Confirms that Virtue/Moir Will Also Stay with Zueva



(Oh, and let’s not forget Vladmir Putin’s invitation for Shpilband to return to Russia... nice!)



I think many of us expected a headline like this to emerge from the Canton quarters eventually:



+ Something Had to Give: (Virtue/Moir OR Davis/White) Part Ways with Shpilband/Zueva


Or maybe...


+ Shpilband/Zueva Require Twizzle Contest Between World Gold & Silver Medalists to Choose Who They’ll Stick With Through Sochi


Or even...


+ Scott Moir Finally Challenges Top U.S. Dance Men to Parking Lot Fistfight; Winners Take Shpilband/Zueva


... OK, maybe that middle one wouldn’t happen. In any case, the reality of the situation is Zueva 3, Shpilband 0. What on earth happened?



There are certain headlines we just kind of expect over time...


+ Ottavio Cinquanta is re-elected ISU President


+ Johnny Weir Comes Out of the Closet in New Memoir


+ TV Ratings for Figure Skating are Down From 10 Years Ago


And then there are the shockers—ones that leave us wondering if we’ll ever know what really happened... even if it’s none of our business...



+ Kwan Dismisses Longtime Coach (Frank Carroll)



+ Jennifer Kirk Announces Retirement From Competitive Figure Skating


(NOTE: No, it’s not a coincidence that I’m mentioning this the week after Kirk elaborates, via her blog, on the real reasons for her untimely retirement. If you haven’t read her new writings yet, go do it now. I’ll be discussing it more on a different post.)


And of course...


+ Orser No Longer Coaching Olympic Champion Kim



From Kim’s angry Tweet at Orser to Orser’s early “reveal” of Kim’s 2011-12 program information, this particular story got ugly in a hurry.



Which is just one reason why I hope the Shpilband/Zueva fallout is somewhat merciful. A Sunday afternoon “firing” of one of the most influential names of the current ice dance world doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence. But there’s still time.

Kwan's Media "Hat Trick" of the Past Two Weeks

Here’s one of the (many, many) nice things about having Michelle Kwan in figure skating: her presence in pop culture is pretty close to effortless. Meaning... there are those that really seem to work to stay in the headlines, and those whose accomplishments (both on the ice and off) are mighty enough to have the headlines come looking for them. Kwan is definitely of the latter camp.



For the most recent Exhibit A, check out this interview Kwan did with Chris Wallace for Fox News Sunday last weekend (once they realized she’s been living “virtually under the radar” in D.C. for almost a year)... it gives coverage to some of the many non-profit causes she’s now involved in, as well as her current brushes with government organizations. And yes, in case you were wondering, she apparently IS considering a deeper government involvement in the future (e.g. running for office).






For Exhibit B, note Kwan’s presence on the released-this-week ESPNW Top 40 Female Athletes list (celebrating the best of the past 40 years in honor of the 40th anniversary of Title IX. You’ll find her name (and accompanying article) sandwiched between Venus Williams and Lindsey Vonn... not bad company to keep.



And finally, for Exhibit C, there’s this press release from Coca-Cola confirming that Kwan is one of 22 “inspiring” Americans chosen to carry the Olympic flame in the upcoming torch relay for the London 2012 Summer Games. While there’s unlikely to be an argument that Kwan is an inspiration to America and beyond, check out the way this is worded (excerpt from the press release; italics are my own):






Coca-Cola proudly invited two Olympic gold medalists to carry the Flame in the 2012 Olympic Torch Relay.






-- Summer Sanders, (Park City, UT): Summer won four medals at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona -- two gold, one silver and one bronze. Since retiring from swimming, she's appeared as a commentator, analyst and host on all four major networks. She is also an ambassador for UNICEF and Right to Play.






-- Michelle Kwan, (Washington, DC): Michelle is the most decorated figure skater in U.S. history, winning five World Championships, nine U.S. National Championships and two Olympic medals. She is currently a U.S. Public Diplomacy Envoy, meeting with young people worldwide to discuss social and educational issues, and is a member of President Obama's President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition.




So her bio is technically correct—as I assume Summer Sanders’ is as well—but the leading sentence? It reminds me of an instance on So You Think You Can Dance (from last season I think) where judge Mary Murphy referred to Kwan as “an Olympic Gold Medalist.”



Makes you wonder, doesn’t it, just how many folks have unwittingly upgraded Kwan’s silver and bronze medals over the past 10-14 years since she won them?






Makes ME wonder how she feels about that. Not to mention Tara Lipinski... or Sarah Hughes.






(For the record... the interview on FOX recalled her Olympic medals accurately.)

Mahbanoozadeh M.I.A. for the 2012 GP?

I’ve been studying the GP assignments since they came out on Monday. Made some highlight marks, some stars in the margins, and felt some pity that Alexander Marjorov (of Sweden) is apparently now known to the ISU as “Alexandra.” But oh, if only that was the sole oversight...


Yes, I heard about Alissa Czisny’s hip injury and looming surgery, but I’ll save that focus for an upcoming day... except to say that at least we all know now why she’s been given a lone GP assignment, at the very end of the season.


So the following question looms in my noggin instead: What on earth has Armin Mahbanoozadeh done to tick off The Skating Powers That Be??


Probably nothing, I know... and that’s my point. First, U.S. Figure Skating passes him by in favor of Richard Dornbush for a 4CC assignment, just a mere 2 weeks after Mahbanoozadeh earned 4th place (his highest to date) at U.S. Nationals. Now we have the ISU snubbing Armin M. in similar fashion, giving two assignments apiece to Dornbush and the returning Johnny Weir while leaving Armin M. with zippo.

Granted, his appearances in last year’s GP weren’t much to write home about—10th at Skate America (after winning bronze there a year earlier), and 8th at NHK. Dornbush was 4th at SKAM and 6th at Cup of China, both of which say a lot more about his return to the circuit than his paltry 13th place at Nationals. And Weir, I’m sure, is nearly as appealing to have back in the race as Plushenko (to some, at least).

But one, if not two, of those coveted U.S. spots could have—and should have—gone to Armin M. There IS a TBA spot at Skate America, and IF Evan Lysacek’s name isn’t already penciled in (assuming his management and U.S. Figure Skating are still trying to work a deal), Armin M. should be a shoo-in. He could also be brought in at any GP event to replace another U.S. man sidelined with illness or injury. But as one of several up-and-comers with a shot at making the 2014 Olympic team... and one who has steadily improved his placement to boot, first finishing 8th, then 6th at Nationals before moving all the way up to 4th this time...

C’mon, folks. This guy deserves better. Or does he need to drop back down to 7th for Ths Skating Powers That Be to realize it?

For The ISU's Consideration: New Faces for the Grand Prix

Word on the street is that the ISU Grand Prix assignments for the 2012-13 season will be announced this coming Monday, May 21. Will they include Plushenko? Lysacek? Weir? Other names we haven’t seen on the circuit in over a year?



Welllll... I’m interested in those possibilities, but not ONLY those. Because there are plenty of relatively new faces I’d like to see in there; faces of rising stars—for their respective countries, if not for the world—that I think have earned an assignment or two.


Such as:


MEN—Kevin VDP is no longer competing, so it seems to me at least one other “minor” skating nation should find their way to the assignments. My top two suggestions include...


Misha Ge (UZB), who made his presence known late in the season with back-to-back solid showings at 4CCs (9th) and Worlds (up from 30th last year to19th). I tend to think of Ge as Johnny Weir with even more energy.


Christopher Caluza (PHI), who used to represent the U.S... but this year made it to the finals for the Phillippines and finished 21st. Probably a longshot, but I hope he can nab an assignment, and get a triple axel going this summer so he can be more competitive.


From the U.S.: Douglas Razzano, who finished 5th at Nationals and a very respectable 7th when he filled in for Evan Lysacek at Skate America last season.





LADIES—With Laura Lepisto the only recognizable name from last year’s roster that’s now “retired” (though her injuries kept her from competing last season too), it’s a little tricky saying what will be given and what’ll be taken away. But I’d like to see them make room for...



Kexin Zhang, the 16 year-old who came in 4th at last season’s Cup of China, 5th at 4CC’s, and 7th at Worlds—which qualifies two Chinese ladies for next year’s event; a feat that hasn’t been accomplished in that country since Lu Chen skated her magic in the mid 90s). MORE ASSIGNMENTS, STAT!


Yretha Siliete (FRA) and Elena Glebova (EST), who finished 12th and 13th, respectively, at Worlds. Siliete is still fairly new to the GP scene; Glebova is already a two-time Olympian (Did you know that?? I didn’t) who has been on the GP scene since 2007—but received no assignments last year. I think both ladies deserve a shot this season.


From the U.S.: Vanessa Lam, who made it to the Junior GP Final last year and has finished in the top 10 at Senior Nationals the past 2 years.



PAIRS—Sui/Han. Yes, they’ve already competed senior GP... but not without simultaneously competing junior GP. Perhaps they’ll have more time to work on their artistry and overall skating now that they’re finally leaving junior GP behind.





From the U.S.: Gretchen Donlan/Andrew Speroff, who finished 4th at Nationals and are the heir apparent to GP assignments since bronze medalists Evora/Ladwig are no longer competing together.


DANCE—At least two teams that made last year’s GP assignments failed to make it to the final round at Worlds this year—Carron/Jones (FRA), and Reed/Reed (JPN). In their places I’d love to see more of:


Ralph/Hill (#3 on the Canadian team; finished 13th) who typically get only North American GP assignments...



Huang/Zheng (China’s world rep this year who finished 12th)...



And it’s a longshot I guess, but wouldn’t it be nice to see Australia’s O’Brien/Merriman prior to 4 Continents?? Come on, ISU, they made it to finals! Shoot ‘em an assignment.



From the U.S.: Anastasia Cannuscio/Colin McManus, who finished 6th in their senior debut this past year.



Come back next week, as we compare notes and see just how interesting this upcoming GP season might be!