Posted by IFS Photos - Aug 26, 2010 14:36 - 0 comments
KIM'S MANAGEMENT COMPANY SEEKS SILENCE FROM FORMER COACH
In an official media statement released today, AT Sports urged Brian Orser, Yu-Na Kim’s former coach to immediately put an end to the unfounded accusations against his former client and her team and described his disclosure of confidential information about Kim's new program as “unfathomable.”
The release was in direct response to a series of interviews Orser has given the past week, where he spoke disparagingly about Kim’s mother who heads up the management company that now represents the skater and revealed critical information about her new competitive program to the media.
AT Sports was openly critical of Orser for divulging confidential information about Kim’s new free program without consulting Kim or David Wilson, the choreographer.
“This can only be construed as a move intended to hurt the skater,” a representative of Kim’s agency said.
Wilson expressed shock and bewilderment when he heard the news. “I was not aware Brian was going to reveal information about the program to the media,” Wilson said. “He did not discuss with me at all what he was going to say during the interview.”
AT Sports stated: “This started as a simple issue of a skater and coach going their separate ways. We do not want this standoff and the accusations to go on any further. We strongly urge Mr. Orser to put an end to the unfounded claims and refrain from disclosing confidential information about Yu-Na Kim’s future competition plans.”
Kim continues to train at the Toronto Cricket Club. She has not announced what she plans to with respect to her future training plans.
Posted by IFS Photos - Aug 24, 2010 09:25 - 0 comments
BRIAN ORSER AND YU-NA KIM PART WAYS
Brian Orser announced today that he and his star pupil Yu-Na Kim, the 2010 Olympic champion, have officially ended their four-year working relationship.
Kim’s mother, Mi-hee Park and a representative of AT Sports met with Orser and Tracy Wilson in early August at Kim’s training base in Toronto. Park informed Orser at that time that he was no longer retained to coach Kim.
“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.”
Kim continues to train at the Toronto Cricket Club and will work with her long-time choreographer David Wilson. She is expected to return to the competitive arena in the new year.
The 2010 Skate Asia competition will be held in the beautiful city of Hangzhou, Aug. 8-15.
Hangzhou, a former ancient capital of China, is situated on the country’s east coast and has a history that dates back more than 8,000 years. With its myriad of art and culture, the city is now one of China's 10 most popular tourist destinations.
The competition will celebrate its 21st year at the new World Ice Arena located inside at a luxury mall owned and operated by China Resources Sun Hunk Kai. It is the second time the company has hosted this event, the first being in 2006.
Competition directors Paul Wong and Indy Wong report that 607 skaters are registered to participate and more than 2000 people including skaters, coaches and family members are expected to attend the weeklong recreational skating event.
Referees for Skate Asia include ISI and PSA master rated coaches Margy Bennett, Jean Albrightson, Cindy Solberg, Jenise Jenson, Gerry Lane and Debbie Lane.
PSA's Executive Director Jimmy Santee and Kelly Adaire are also expected to attend to discuss setting up an Asian division of PSA with Ted Wilson, the director of the World Ice Arena and founder of ISI Asia.
Nathan Chen, the 2010 U.S. novice champion, who has become a hit in Hangzhou following his performances in the Wiwa shows in April, will perform in the two exhibition galas.
Members of the Toronto, Cricket Skating & Curling Club honored the club’s shining star, Yu-Na Kim, at a celebratory bash on Wednesday afternoon.
“This is our Olympic celebration for our Olympic gold medalist, Yu-Na. Like all great stars, you are known by one name, Yu-Na - right?” master of ceremonies, Tracy Wilson said with good humor.
“On behalf of all the club members I just want to thank you for everything you have accomplished - and not just what you did in Vancouver. I know you don’t notice it because you are so busy every day with your work, but people are constantly coming through the club … and the buzz that you have created and the amount of enjoyment and pleasure that you have brought to everyone here - thank you so much and congratulations.”
Spencer Buchanan spoke on behalf of the club’s skaters. “I just want to start with a quick story about my first day at this club,” he said. “I came from a very small club and my coach told me I could get in anyone’s way except for one person. That was Miss Yu-Na Kim. I wondered who is Yu-Na Kim - but now we all know who Yu-Na is.”
“You have been such an inspiration, you are such a great role model. It has trickled all the way down to the junior levels and I am sure every skater here agrees,” Buchanan added. “Just to see what it takes to be at the top level – on behalf of all the skaters, I just want to say thank you for being so great. It has been really awesome.”
Wilson noted that watching her coach Brian Orser at rink side is almost as much fun as watching Kim compete. “Coming from the television world there are no better replays than Yu-Na going into the triple-triple and then there is a little picture at the bottom of the screen of Brian going through the jumps with her,” Wilson said with humor.
“Thank you so much everyone. I really love training here with all the skaters and oh, of course, the coaches,” the 2010 Olympic champion said with a laugh. “They all helped me to improve and to train harder.”
Kim was presented with a commemorative plaque that will be displayed at the club to honor her historic achievement in Vancouver. ___________________________________________________ Check us out on FACEBOOK! Become a Fan!
The August issue of International Figure Skating (IFS) magazine is now available in digital form and will be available on newsstands in mid-July. To subscribe, click HERE, email customerservice@madavor.com or call 800-437-5828. Get a one-year digital subscription (worldwide) for only US$20. The digital edition is complimentary for all print subscribers and provides access to all back issues posted online.
The organizers of the annual Pride and Remembrance Run said that perhaps they should think about renaming the event the Silver's Bullets run following the team's runaway victory in the fund raising category on Saturday.
Team members raised more than $19,000 for local charities this year, six times more than the funds raised by the runner-up team, and claimed four of the top five spots in the fund raising category.
Kudos to Robert O'Toole who once again raised more money than any other individual participating in the run and led the team to its outstanding charitable victory.
The August issue of International Figure Skating (IFS) magazine is now available in digital form and will be available on newsstands in mid-July. To subscribe, click HERE, email customerservice@madavor.com or call 800-437-5828. Get a one-year digital subscription (worldwide) for only US$20. The digital edition is complimentary for all print subscribers and provides access to all back issues posted online.
Posted by JLynch - Jun 29, 2010 14:18 - 0 comments
Yu-Na Kim and World Stars to Skate in Summer Spectacular
Tickets are now on sale for what is sure to be another dazzling event headlined by Olympic gold medalist Yu-Na Kim, who will again be joined by Michelle Kwan. "All That Skate Summer" is scheduled for July 23-25 in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, near Seoul. In April 2009, the two stars performed together to three sellout crowds in "Ice All Stars" in Seoul.
The current lineup includes:
Sasha Cohen, 2006 Olympic silver medalist Silvia Fontana, three-time Italian champion Stephane Lambiel, two-time World champion Brian Joubert, 2007 World champion John Zimmerman, U.S. pairs champion Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy, two-time World gold medalists Jamie Sale and David Pelletier, 2002 Olympic gold medalists Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto, four-time World medalists.
In addition, two talented South Korean young ladies, Kwak Min-jung and Kim Hae-jin, will perform in the show. Kwak skated at the winter Olympics and Kim Hae-jin at age 12 took the gold at this year's National Figure Skating Championships.
International Figure Skating's Susan D. Russell will be at the event to bring you exclusive photos and coverage here, in the Sept/Oct issue of the magazine, and at our Facebook page.
Our July/August issue of International Figure Skating (IFS) magazine is now available in print, in digital form, and on newsstands. To subscribe, click HERE,email us or call 800-437-5828. A one-year digital subscription (worldwide) costs $20, U.S., is free with a print subscription and provides access to all back issues posted online.
Posted by JLynch - Jun 28, 2010 14:32 - 0 comments
McLaughlin and Brubaker Skate Different Ways
Pairs skaters Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker announced this week the end of their on-ice partnership. The two have skated together for the past four years and are two-time U.S. National champions and the 2007 World Junior champs.
Seventeen-year-old McLaughlin said she plans to take a year off from competitive skating to focus on school, while Brubaker will continue skating, according to a U.S. Figure Skating press release. He is currently in search of a new partner.
Brubaker, 24, said it has always been his goal to win World and Olympic medals, and he plans to keep working towards that objective.
Grand Prix Schedule Announced
The dates and locations of the upcoming season's Grand Prix events has been finalized.
October 22 – 24: NHK Trophy (Nagoya, Japan) October 29 – 31: Skate Canada Kingston, (Ontario, Canada) November 5 – 7: Cup of China (Beijing, China) November 12 – 14: Skate America (Portland, Oregon, USA) November 19 – 21: Cup of Russia (Moscow, Russia) November 26 – 28: Trophée Eric Bompard Cachemire (Paris, France) December 9 – 12: Grand Prix Final (combined juniors and seniors) Beijing, China
Look for more about the upcoming competitions in the Sept/Oct issue of International Figure Skating.
Free Ice Shows in NYC
The Ice Theatre of New York (ITNY) begins its free summer series next month at the World Ice Arena in Queens. The Summer Ice Concert Series runs every Saturday from July 10 through Aug. 14.
The shows will feature performances by the ITNY ensemble, along with competitive skaters and up-and-comers. Guests scheduled for this summer include Felicia Zhang and Taylor Toth and Danielle and Alexander Gamelin.
The six free shows each begin at 7 p.m., and the public is invited to stick around afterwards to skate on the rink. Admission for the later skate is $8 and an additional $5 for skate rental. The skating session runs until 9:50 p.m.
Canada to Host 2013 World Championships
It was announced this week that the International Skating Union (ISU) World Figure Skating Championships for 2013 will be held in London, Ontario. The event is scheduled for March 10 through March 17 at the John Lebatt Centre and the Wastern Fair Sports Centre will serve as the practice arena.
The proposal to host the event was compiled by Tourism London on behalf of the City of London and Tourism’s local hospitality partners. 2013 will mark the 10th time since 1896 that a Canadian city has hosted the Worlds, the last time being Calgary in 2006. Tickets and additional event information will become available in the spring of 2011.
Posted by IFS Photos - Jun 18, 2010 22:22 - 0 comments
Nicole Bobek Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking Conspiracy
By Aubrey Everett
Former skating star Nicole Bobek appeared before a judge at the Hudson County Court House on Wednesday to face a charge of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, a controlled and dangerous substance.
Arrested in Florida on June 19, 2009, extradited to New Jersey and indicted on a charge of second-degree conspiracy to distribute crystal meth, Bobek pled not guilty at her arraignment last October.
But at a hearing on June 16, Bobek pled guilty to an amended charge of third degree conspiracy to distribute the drug, said New Jersey assistant prosecutor Lisa Ledoux who is handling the cases listed under this indictment. A total of 20 people involved in the drug ring were indicted under one count of conspiracy to traffic.
“The top person knew everybody involved and the vast majority of those charged (more than two-thirds) have pled out,” Ledoux told IFS.
Bobek’s plea agreement permits the presiding judge discretion at her sentencing hearing, which is set for Aug. 5.
Ledoux said there are a number of sentencing options:
· Probation for 1-5 years · Probation plus 354 days in a county jail · Drug program/drug testing · Three to five years in state prison system (this would be the maximum sentence handed down).
The fact that Bobek has no prior criminal record will be taken into account at the sentencing hearing. “Through our investigation of this case and through our conversations with people involved, part of the reason we believe she was involved was her own personal battle with drug addiction,” Ledoux said.
Because Bobek distributed drugs in New York she could not be charged with that offence in New Jersey. “That is why she was charged with conspiracy in our jurisdiction, ” Ledoux explained.
“She had telephone conversations with people and gave drugs to people who then sold them in New Jersey. That is her connection. But we believe the real reason was her own personal drug problem.”
Bobek attended the plea hearing on June 16 and has advised the court she will also attend the sentencing hearing in August. One of her bail conditions was that she reside with her family in Florida.
Ledoux said the time lapse between the plea hearing and the sentencing date will provide the prosecution time to obtain further information and submit a report for the judge’s consideration in advance of rendering a verdict.
Posted by IFS Photos - Jun 13, 2010 09:43 - 0 comments
Life on the Canadian Stars on Ice Tour
A Note from Adam Rippon
After the World Championships in March I found out that I was going to join the cast for the second half of the Canadian Stars on Ice tour.
I was so honored and I was also excited to be the only American skater on the tour. As I was the youngest and newest member of the cast I really felt that I was being watched out for and taken care of.
My first show was in Toronto, the city where I train. From then until the end of the tour, I felt so lucky to be skating with such an amazing cast of people. I also will have to admit that skating on the same tour as Kurt Browning was a little surreal. I can still remember going to my first Stars on Ice show and watching him perform.
Our last shows were in Victoria and Vancouver in British Columbia. It was a beautiful way to end an amazing experience.
Aside from the skating, a memory that stands out for me is my day off in Vancouver. Jeff Buttle, Scott Moir and I rented bikes and rode through Stanley Park. This memory stands out because first, I am terrible at riding a bike and second, I realized how lucky I was to have all of these experiences and to share them with such great friends. I think this is what that tour is all about. When all was said and done, the cast felt like a family.
So thank you to Sears, my cast mates, the crew and all the fans who came to the shows for helping to make some great memories. I hope I can only be so lucky to have many more tours in my future.
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