March/April 2022 PS Magazine

MARCH/APRIL 2022

Megan Wessenberg & Blake Eisenach

COACHED BY: Jenni Meno-Sand, Todd Sand, Christine Fowler Binder, Christopher Knierim

For the coaches.

The Professional Skaters Foundation was founded to expand the educational opportunities of PSA members through a non-profit, charitable foundation.

Visit skatepsa.com for more information.

All contributions are tax-deductible.

MARCH/APRIL 2022

COLUMNS

FEATURES 7

2

Team PSA

4

President’s Message

6

Ratings

| Alex Chang

| Cheryl Faust

10

Sport Science

14

Education

26

Coaching Development |

40

Best Business Practices

| Garrett Lucash

Heidi Thibert

DEPARTMENTS 6 38 42 44 45

Kraken the Ice in Seattle |

by Kent McDill

17

2022 Chicago Summit: Ready for the Journey!

20

Managing Anxiety in Athletes

24

2021 PSA Coaches Survey Results

28

Unified Synchronized Skating

30

Benoit Richaud: A Unique Perspective |

32

PSA Board of Governors Nominees

36

2022 PSA Coaches Honor Roll

39

PS Foundation: Emma Baxter's Story |

| By Julianne Pondelli

| By Mary Johanson

by Kent McDill

by Patricia Hagen

Check out page 22 for Olympic coaches in action!

Professional Development Recognition Professional Skaters Foundation New Members PSA Calendar of Events Obituary Elizabeth Thornton | Editor/Advertising Amanda Taylor | Art Director

Find, Friend, Follow

Issue No 2 |

COVER:Courtesy of U.S. Figure Skating

WWW.SKATEPSA.COM

THIS PAGE OLYMPICS: Melanie Heaney

PS MAGAZINE

1

PSA’s Year in Review 2021 was a busy year for PSA and all of our members! Let’s take a look back at what you’ve been up to...

PSA OFFICERS President First Vice President Second Vice President Third Vice President Treasurer Past President PSA BOARD OF GOVERNORS West Mid-West East

158,045 minutes of PSA TV watched You watched more videos on PSA TV than ever before!

353 emails to members Email remains the preferred method of communication for PSA members.

242 pages of PS Magazine PS Magazine continues to be a much-loved resource.

151 virtual rating exams In addition to over 100 candidates, 56 rating examiners volunteered their time across 15 virtual exam dates.

19 new master-rated coaches We are so proud of all the coaches who continue to reach professional development and accreditation goals.

Ready for 2022!

The next year promises to be busy with more virtual ratings, Ratings Prep, webinars, and the 2022 Summit in Chicago.

2

MARCH/APRIL 2022

Members at Large

Committee on Professional Standards Ratings Chair Events Chair ISI Rep to PSA U.S. Figure Skating Rep to PSA PSA Rep to U.S. Figure Skating Summit Chairs Executive Director COMMITTEE CHAIRS Awards Coaches Hall of Fame Education Accelerated Coaching Partnerships Area Representatives Hockey Skating Sport Science Endorsements Executive Executive Nominating Finance Nominating Professional Standards PSA Rep to ISI Ratings Adaptive Skating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Alex Chang Rebecca Stump Patrick O'Neil Denise Williamson Lisa Hernand Christine Fowler-Binder Phillip Mills Michelle Lauerman Andrea Kunz-Williamson Ashley Wyatt Cheryl Faust Doug Haw Denise Viera Tom Zakrajsek Phillip DiGuglielmo Kelley Morris Adair Cheryl Faust Tim Covington Jane Schaber Heather Paige Kelley Morris Adair Teri Klindworth Hooper Rebecca Stump Tim Covington Jimmie Santee

Andrea Kunz-Williamson Christine Fowler-Binder Rebecca Stump Phillip Mills Debbie Jones Gloria Leous Jordan Mann Garrett Lucash Jimmie Santee Alex Chang Christine Fowler-Binder Lisa Hernand Christine Fowler-Binder Kelley Morris Adair Gerry Lane Cheryl Faust Mary Johanson Nathan Truesdell

PSA AREA REPRESENTATIVES Area 1 Tracey Seliga-O'Brien Area 10 Francesca Supple Area 2 Kimberlie Wheeland Area 11 Charmin Savoy Area 3 Andrea Kunz-Williamson Area 12 Roxanne Tyler Area 4 Jill Stewart Area 13 Liz Egetoe Area 5 Angela Roesch-Davis Area 14 Marylill Elbe Area 6 Maude White Area 15 Tiffany McNeil Area 7 Nicole Gaboury Area 16 Russ Scott Area 8 Jackie Timm Area 17 Martha Harding Area 9 Mary Anne Williamson VICE CHAIR: Lisa Reibly DISCLAIMER: Written by Guest Contributor | PSA regularly receives articles from guest contributors. The opinions and views expressed by these contributors are not necessarily those of PSA. By publishing these articles, PSA does not make any endorsements or statements of support of the author or their contribution, either explicit or implicit.

THE PROFESSIONAL SKATER Magazine Mission: To bring to our readers the best information from the most knowledgeable sources. To select and generate the information free from the influence of bias. And to provide needed information quickly, accurately and efficiently.

The views expressed in THE PROFESSIONAL SKATER Magazine and products are not necessarily those of the Professional Skaters Association.

The Professional Skater (USPS 574770) Issue 2, a newsletter of the Professional Skaters Association, Inc., is published bimonthly, six times a year, as the official publication of the PSA, 3006 Allegro Park SW, Rochester, MN 55902. Tel 507.281.5122, Email: office@skatepsa.com © 2020 by Professional Skaters Association, all rights reserved. Subscription price is $19.95 per year, Canadian $29.00 and foreign $45.00/year, U.S. Funds.

INTRODUCING

by Jackson

ELITE

the new standard in lightweight performance

PRO

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Alex Chang, MFS, RM

How Do We Know When We Have Success?

W

hat an amazing season we have had with our U.S. Championships and U.S. Development Team Camps in Nashville, the 2022 Olympics in Beijing, and the 2022 World Championships soon to take place in Montpellier, France. I think we have all been able to pull inspiration and fandom after watching skating at its finest, in spite of the setbacks, the pandemic, and the twists and turns of competition. In light of of all this success, I want to take a moment to pull back the lens on our definition of success, our attachment to it, and the price of it.

Many of us have worked with many different kinds of skaters, at many different levels, with many different goals, challenges, and definitions. Whether it is improving a specific skill, mastering a new element, conquering your personal fear, or winning an Olympic gold medal (Go Nathan!), success is built one day at a time through intention, hard work, reflection, collaboration, and a steady stream of execution. But the funny thing about success is that it never seems to be enough and it never ends… a constant dangling carrot. One step leads to another and one day’s success feels like a set up for tomorrow’s inevitable failure and disappointment. So, how do we ever know if/when we finally have success, when it requires endless maintenance and seems to get harder and harder with each generation?

Borrowing from the words of Winston Churchill: “Success is not Final. Failure is not Final. It is the courage to continue that counts…”. Very true sir, but how is that going to help me with my clients’ unreasonable expectations?

To this, I think we must each take a moment to reflect, get real, and declare our own opinions and truths. That’s right, we must take the microphone, shape/control those conversations, and define success on our terms for our clients and for ourselves: from bite-sized morsels for our skaters to annual strategic plans for our parents to self-affirming benchmarks in our own coaching. We must declare and set real yet inspiring mastery goals that lead to large-scale accomplishments.

When we feel pushed to do more, achieve more, be more, remember that we can only work within the four corners of our own workability, whatever you define that to be.

I am simply reminding you that you have much to offer as coaches, as human beings, as mentors, and as leaders.

4

MARCH/APRIL 2022

When pushed to do more, don’t abandon your hard-earned teachings, don’t diminish your contributions, don’t barter away your integrity. We see you, we believe in you, and we honor the mentor and teacher in each of you. We have to define what are we willing to do to achieve success, but that should never require compromising our core integrity. To this, I honor each of you for holding the integrity of our athlete’s well-being and development as the key benchmark of success. Let them achieve all they

“...success is built one day at a time through intention, hard work, reflection, collaboration, and a steady stream of execution. But the funny thing about success is that it never seems to be enough and it never ends… a constant dangling carrot.” are meant to, through hard work, planning, dedication, and execution — and celebrate in that. Our skaters will continue to do great things in the world, on and off the ice. The lessons, patterns and systems for success we set in them today will last them a lifetime, and I do hope that includes integrity in sports as the true value of competition, not just the medals.

I have always been a big proponent of education, whether it’s formal, informal, on the job, or on the street.

PSA is here to help you find your pathway to your selfdefined success. We will continue to deliver cost-effective, relevant, and effective educational opportunities to all members. Everyone has their own journey and we are here to support you on yours.

Be well, be YOU, and stay the course.

RATINGS Cheryl Faust MFS, MM

Announcing: Theatre on Ice Ratings B Y A S H L E Y W Y AT T, M C , R G A N D J O H N M U C K O , M C , M M , R F

W

e are excited to announce the launch of the Theatre on Ice ratings track. The first exams will be offered at the 2022 Chicago Summit ratings site. PSA will be offering the Registered TOI exam live and in person in Chicago, with Certified through Master launching throughout 2022. The TOI rating is a fantastic opportunity to continue your education and enhance your creative growth through research and reflection.

Registration for Registered Theatre on Ice rating exams at the PSA Summit in Chicago opens March 1. Registration closes March 15.

Sample TOI questions: • What are the three Axis that must be included in the Choreographic Exercise?

• Props can enhance a free skate program, what are some considerations you should have?

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Tara Baldoz Anastaslia Simavskaia Keersten Richards

Laureano Ibarra L6-P Level 6 Pairs Hamidah Ishan Ahmad L2-S Level 2 Singles Brad Vigorito L4-S Level 4 Singles

MARCH/APRIL 2022

• Must be knowledgeable about both the Choreographic Exercise (CE) and the Free Skate (FS) events.

• Must have a minimum of 30 hours over a one-year period of professional coaching experience with at least one of the years at the required registered TOI level or higher.

A complete list of requirements for each exam level and more detailed information are available in the study guide.

Visit skatepsa.com to learn more and register.

Amber Crispell Brianna McCormick Ariel Gagnon

Rankings

6

• Must have had a team compete at a Preliminary level or higher at a TOI US National competition or ISI Production team or ISI Theater Production number at a national competition; or other ISU member organization equivalent or professional show experience as a performer or choreographer; OR rated at the registered level or higher in choreography, free skating, dance, pair skating, synchronized skating, or group instruction.

Hockey Skating 1

Basic Accreditation Natassia Dzemyanovich Krista Keay Jamie Wilner

Some of the requirements for the registered exam are:

Crystal Richardson Kyle Pearen Liara Tillman

Hockey Skating 2 Nicole Cochrane Ariel Gagnon

Crystal Richardson Kyle Pearen

Hockey Skating 3 Melissa Misiak Kathryn Vaughn

Shayne Orologio Kyle Pearen

Kraken the Ice in Seattle

By Kent McDill

L

et’s begin with a history lesson…

From 1915 to 1924, the Seattle Metropolitans played hockey in the Pacific Coast Hockey Association, and that team won the 1917 Stanley Cup, which was then a tournament held between professional and amateur hockey clubs. When the PCHA disbanded in 1925, the Metropolitans franchise passed away. For the next 95 years, Seattle remained an on-again, off-again minor league hockey city.

Then came the Seattle Kraken, which joined the National Hockey League in 2021. And from that was born the Kraken Skating Academy.

Along comes Chad Goodwin For four years prior to the creation of the Kraken Skating Academy, former cruise ship ice show captain and choreographer Chad Goodwin was serving as the skating director for a skating academy created by the Las Vegas Golden Knights of the NHL. When the Kraken Skating Academy was created, Goodwin accepted a similar position and is now the skating director in Seattle, which is a bit closer to his childhood home of Calgary.

It would be incorrect to think that people in Seattle did not ice skate prior to the birth of the Seattle Kraken. The people of the Pacific

Northwest take their recreation seriously. However, the enthusiasm around the new NHL team, with the inspired team name, created a newfound love of the sport, as well as a previously untapped desire among many youngsters to experience ice skating for the first time.

A practice facility was constructed for the new NHL team. With three sheets of ice, the Kraken Community Iceplex is the practice facility for the Kraken, and it also hosts the Skating Academy, which became a new home for Seattle-area children and adults to introduce or reintroduce themselves to the thrill of ice skating.

“There were quite a few longstanding figure skating clubs in the area, and some high-level competitive skaters were produced,” Goodwin said.

“But with the NHL and the Kraken, they built the only rink facility within the Seattle city limits, and things have kind of blown up ever since.”

Since opening its doors in September of 2021, the Kraken Skating Academy has welcomed more than 1,500 people into their Learn to Skate program, including adults. More than 150 skaters have taken freestyle classes, and Goodwin has hired 27 full and part-time coaches to handle the crush of new skaters.

“Everybody is so excited to step on the ice and try it, to get involved in classes,” Goodwin said. “We are creating as many classes as we can to allow kids and adults to get involved.

Even with restrictions from COVID, we are making room for everybody, because everybody wants to try it out.”

The Kraken Skating Academy is aligned with the One Roof Foundation which offers financial assistance to families in need in order to give underprivileged children the opportunity to get on the ice. As a result, many additional children are in the Learn to Skate or hockey programs at the KSA. Learning to appreciate PSA ratings Before moving to Las Vegas to begin the Golden Knights Skating Academy, Goodwin got his start as a skating director at an ice rink in Whitefish, Mont. It was the only year-round ice rink in the entire Big Sky state.

“I had to change the mental aspect of Montanans,” Goodwin said. “I had to convince people that figure skating and ice hockey do not need to be just in the winter. I spent time raising money to get year-round skating going up there.”

From there it was on to Las Vegas, where he realized he needed to know more about what he was doing, and he needed help in finding out what he needed to know. That’s when Goodwin started working toward PSA ratings.

“I am a certified free skate and certified program director rated coach, and I am still working on

PS MAGAZINE

7

Original Pic ® Frame Skates

Spring Fling Specia ls to Easy nt Mou at

h Use t air dp secon ots of bo

I nsist on Pic Frame skates

Easy to Us e

our y e Se rame F Pic aler de

Practi c at hom e e Enhance your on-ice training with the original patented Pic® Frame for figure skaters. These precision-designed inline skates feel and handle just like your on-ice skates.

Picskate.com Harmony Sports Inc. | Riverside, RI 02915

Chad Goodwin

my ratings to become a masterrated coach and program director,” Goodwin said. “I am a big believer in the ratings and continuing education.

I consider it an opportunity for our coaches to take part in the ratings and the education with the PSA.” Goodwin’s next step to getting a higher rating as program director is to create a business plan for a skating club from top to bottom.

“I will sit down with the rating examiners and drill up on questions on what I know and why I would do this or that,” he said.

In the four years since he began working toward accreditations, Goodwin said one of the benefits beyond education is the community of skating coaches of which he is now a member.

“It has been nice getting to know a lot of people from the PSA who are involved in the rating exams,” he said.

“It’s not only talking to them about the ratings, but when I have questions, there are people I can network with to gain information.

“Every place you go is run differently,” he said. “What works in Vegas might not work in Seattle. It’s always helpful to be able to call people.”

The challenge of advocating Goodwin talks about PSA ratings to all the coaches he works with, but says he sometimes faces resistance in getting coaches involved.

“That is a bit of a challenge,” he said. “When it is a recommendation, people have their opinions about that. Here (in Seattle), I have already explained to the coaches that I think it is important to continue your education and get your ratings. I have had coaches who have started to get their Basic Accreditation, and I have had some get hockey certificates. It gives us something else to talk about at the rink.”

Goodwin said it is more likely that the full-time coaches will pursue their ratings. “They see that it is such a benefit to their career,” he added.

A growth industry The arrival of the Kraken Community Iceplex and the Kraken Skating Academy awoke a sleeping giant of interest in figure skating and hockey in the largest city in the Pacific Northwest (that was a Kraken reference, by the way).

It is Goodwin’s job to determine just how to handle the massive influx of new and established skaters in the facility.

“We are developing a program from the ground up,” Goodwin said. “We have gone from opening the doors to a new facility, creating a massive feeder program from Learn to Skate, to developing the next steps of figure skating and taking the Kraken Skating Academy to the next level in recreational and competitive figure skating.

“It has been very fast, with a lot of skaters involved, but it has not grown too fast,” he said. “When I was in Montana, we would go through a whole year and then look at how we are running it and make changes.

Here, every seven weeks, we are starting a new session. The kids are so new to the sport. We have 24 30-minute Learn to Skate classes a week right now, including our adult classes.”

Oh, and there is COVID to worry about.

“When I was doing ice shows, we would have something called a reblock,” Goodwin said. “Our skating classes now are reblocked. Every day, my coaches are doing a reblock, moving classes to accommodate new health guidelines. You have to be adaptable, not just to make it work but to make it fun. All of my coaches have been through a lot the last five months to get this place open.”

PS MAGAZINE

9

SPORT SCIENCE Garrett Lucash, RFS, RM

MAKING THE CONNECTION

How Body Alignment Plays an Important Role in Performance and Injury Prevention B Y L E E C A B E L L , EDD, MFF; P AT T I L A R K I N , CO(R), C.PED.; E L L E N G E M I N I A N I , MD

Body alignment What is a proper posture? Being told to “stand up straight” may sound like a cliché, but optimal placement of the body parts is very important. Proper body alignment puts less stress on the joints and gives confidence to carry your body upright. Improving posture will likely take some time and conscious effort, and it is essential in figure skating.

Correct body alignment always comes from the basic, neutral, and anatomical position where the body is divided into three cardinal planes (FIGURE 1). Alignment refers to how the head, shoulders, spine, hips, knees, and ankles relate to and line up with each other.

The upper leg, lower leg, and feet should all line up in the same plane; specifically, there is a relationship between the hip, knee, and ankle joints. The feet need to be always in alignment with the knees.

First, we assess the pelvis, leg, and foot alignment (FIGURE 2).

During the single-leg squat assessment, the lumbo/ pelvic/hip complex, and knee and ankle should remain in a neutral position. The knee should remain in line with the foot, and the foot should be pointed straight ahead (FIGURE 2A). Every time you bend your knees, make sure they are over your toes and never let them roll inwards.

Feet must never be more turned out than your knees. The hip controls the knee and the foot, and the foot informs the hip what is happening.

How do we achieve this lower body alignment? First, figure skaters should focus on the correct alignment of each foot at the ankle and always hold this alignment correctly until it becomes second nature.

The most common cause of figure skating injuries to the lower legs, feet, and ankles is that figure skaters fail to keep their feet and legs aligned. Even slight misalignment will cause a weakening of the joints involved and, in the end, an imbalance in the muscle groups of the lower leg. Weaknesses in the skater’s hips will always show up in the lower legs. It starts with the muscles around the hip (gluteus medius and gluteus maximus), continues through the “knocked” knee, and ends with a dropped ankle (prona-

10

MARCH/APRIL 2022

Figure 1

tion) (FIGURE 2B) or “knee valgus” (FIGURE 2C) The same analogy can be demonstrated on jump landings (FIGURE 3). Notice the correct hip, knee, and ankle alignment (FIGURE 3A) and the joints’ misalignment (FIGURE 3B).

Foot and ankle The ankle joint (also known as the upper ankle) serves as the articulation between the foot and leg. The ankle joint is comprised of three bones (tibia, fibula, and talus) (FIGURE 4) and is designed to absorb shock and provide proprioception (the body’s ability to know where it is in space). The ankle joint range of motion is approximately 70 degrees in plantar and dorsiflexion. Skaters need as much ankle mobility as possible to perform the explosive jump elements and to absorb shock forces. If athletes have limited ankle mobility, e.g., tight calves (tight heel cord) or their skating boots are too stiff, the ankle mobility will be restricted. This will impede progress and prevent the ankle from absorbing the shock forces imposed on the body.

The foot is a complex and flexible structure making up about a quarter of the total bones found in the human body. The foot absorbs and transforms forces while maintaining whole-body stability and utilizes elastic energy for efficiency during jump take-off and landing.

With 26 bones, 29 muscles, 33 joints, 100 ligaments, tendons, and a network of blood vessels, nerves, and other

Figure 2: Leg assessment A Correct alignment

B "knocked” knee

C “knocked” knee = knee valgus

Lumbar Hyperextension Pelvic Unleveling & Anterior Tilt Gluteus Medius Weakness

Femur Internal Rotation

Knee Valgus Stress & Lateral Patellar Displacement

soft tissue in each foot, there is so much motion going on inside the skate that can impact the skater’s every move.

However, once skaters lace up their skates and are out on the ice, movement of the foot and ankle are not visible and therefore cannot be observed. Identifying and understanding any improper foot and ankle mechanics may provide coaches insight into what motions are occurring inside the boot. This will help skaters maximize their potential and reduce their risk for injuries and long-term foot and ankle problems.

Ideally, the bones, ligament, muscles, tendons, and fascia of the foot form the arch height, strength, and the ability to resist deformity because of external forces. The arch acts as a beam and is elevated through a mechanism of plantar fascia (FIGURE 5). The plantar fascia is a strong and inelastic band of connective tissue located in the sole of the foot and has the major role to support the longitudinal arch. It creates a truss-like rigid structure (FIGURE 6). When skaters bend their ankle, the hind foot (heel) rotates in slightly, thereby “unlocking” the middle of the foot allowing the foot to pronate. Pronation is a desirable motion of the foot where the foot becomes adaptable to the environment and helps the foot and body absorb shock.

The rear foot and forefoot are held together by the plantar fascia, and the suitable amount of pronation would be expected during weight bearing. (Neumann, 2017) As the heel lifts, the foot mechanics reverse. This is called supination. The tightening of the plantar fascia raises the longitudinal arch, making it ready for jump takeoff (Levangie & Norkin, 2011). This foot arch acts as a second-class lever mechanism when the fulcrum (axis) is at the toes. Now, the foot is more rigid and stable at jump takeoff, the skater can effectively press down for “pushing off” at jump takeoff; the foot supinates and generates the forces responsible for propelling the skater’s body into the

Tibia Internal Rotation

Foot Hyperpronation

Figure 3: Landing from a jump A Correct alignment

B Joints’ misalignment

air (FIGURE 7A). Insufficient “push off” is evident from a fallen arch foot (FIGURE 7B), Figure skaters land their jumps on the toe pick first, i.e., landing is made first with the forefoot and then with the rearfoot while balancing on a 3/16-inch-wide blade.

A normal foot provides sufficient stability and mobility

PS MAGAZINE

11

Figure 4: Ankle joint

Figure 7 A Normal foot Normal Normal foot foot

BFoot Foot with pes planus Foot with with pes pes planus planus

Fibula Tibia Extrinsic muscles

True Angle Joint Subtalar Joint

Talus Intrinsic muscles

A

B

Calcaneus

Figure 5: The beam model of the longitudinal arch

for the foot to be effective during jump takeoff and landing, absorbing high-impact forces exerted by a skater, similar to the way a car’s springs act when the car hits a bump.

Unfortunately, not all feet function ideally, and many athletes possess different foot dynamics that greatly affect their function and performance.

Flat feet (fallen arch)

Note: The arch is a curved beam consisting of interconnecting joints and supporting plantar ligaments. Tensile forces (t) are concentrated on the lower beam surface; compressive forces (c) are generated at the upper surface. W = weight

Figure 6: The truss model of the longitudinal normal arch Normal arch

Body weight

A Dropped arch

12

MARCH/APRIL 2022

All humans are born with flat feet and, through normal childhood development, will form the natural arches of their feet. However, some individuals fail to develop their arch resulting in fallen arches, commonly known as “developmental flat feet” — pronation (FIGURE 8). Often, flat feet are inherited, but some may acquire it through nerve issues, damaged tendons, or from an injury. Flat feet tend to be hypermobile and can be very inefficient. Many physical activities such as figure skating or activities that require propulsion, power, stability, and speed can be challenging to those who possess flat feet. A flat foot does not give the skater the necessary lever, thereby decreasing jump height.

Skaters with this foot type may have an increased risk for foot and ankle injuries like stress fractures and tendonitis.

Overpronation Flattening of feet is a natural movement of the foot that occurs during foot landing while running, walking, or landing a jump. Overpronation, on the other hand, is an excessive and undesirable motion of the foot resulting in an overly flattened foot. The arch collapse displaces the joints and muscles not only just in the foot, but also in the legs as well. Impact forces also produce a large amount of stress in the joints of the lower limbs which can be a determinant of injury (Bressel & Cronin, 2005). Acuña et al. (2014) measured high vertical impact forces with a special sensor mounted to skaters’ blades and reported that the forces were up to 5-8 times body weight. All this happens within 50-125 milliseconds—not much time to

Figure 8

A Dropped arch

Body weight

B

absorb these high-magnitude forces.

A common condition in many figure skaters, overpronation makes maintaining blade alignment more difficult, increases boot fitting issues, impedes progress, and indirectly leads to potential injuries. With uncorrected pronation, the feet will collapse into the side of the skate, and the foot will press up hard onto the wall of the boot.

Not only does this create pain and discomfort, but joints are also out of alignment. If the joints are out alignment, so are the muscles. As a result, the body will compensate with the “wrong” muscles over time and with impact forces from jump landings, injury to the foot and ankle may occur.

Skaters may also experience problems in the knee, hip, and even the spine.

Performance can also be compromised. Skaters must be able to hold an outside edge all throughout the takeoff.

Once skaters bend their skating knees right before takeoff, the arch will automatically pronate. If skaters overpronate, the arch will collapse inwardly forcing the blade onto the inside edge thereby “flutzing” the jump. Preventing arch collapse and holding the foot in a well-aligned position in the skate is imperative to maintain the desired blade alignment. If not, a skater may overcompensate elsewhere to maintain the outside edge.

Painful pressure spots, blisters, and calluses on the navicular bone (arch bone) and inside ankle bone are strong indications that the foot is overpronating. If the foot is pressed hard up against the inside of the boot, that excessive pressure from the collapsed arch puts undo stress on the boot contributing to early loss of boot support (FIGURE 9).

A common misconception is that the boot is defective or that the skater is “super strong” and constantly breaks down boots. Although it could be possible that a skater purchased a skate that lacked the appropriate support for their individual body dynamics, it is more than likely that the boot was not defective, and it was underlying faulty body mechanics that contributed to the untimely loss of boot support. Skating boots are designed to

Intrinsic muscles

Extrinsic muscles

Note: Intrinsic foot muscles are in the foot itself provide dynamic foot support. Extrinsic muscles are the larger muscles which control the movement of the foot.

Figure 9 maintain a correctly aligned foot and ankle position but were never designed, nor should be used, to correct any faulty foot mechanics.

Unfortunately, if overpronation (as well as other body alignment issues such as weak hip and core) are not recognized and actively addressed, skaters may inadvertently be fit with a stronger boot to provide more “support” to offset the alignment problems.

However, boots that are too strong for that individual can restrict the necessary joint mobility to perform proficiently. Also, if ankle joint movement is inhibited in the ankle (either internally such as a skater with tight heel cords or externally with a boot that is too stiff or restrictive), the forces from any impact will not be absorbed by the ankle joint effectively but be transferred to joints such as the foot, knees, hips, and spine, placing excesses stress on areas of the body that are not necessarily able to handle the shock load. This vicious cycle is all too common in figure skating and, if body alignment issues are not addressed and corrected, not only can slow or stall process, but can certainly lead to unwanted injuries, as well.

High-arched (hollow) feet High-arched feet is a condition where the arches are unnaturally high, putting extra pressure on the ball and heel of the foot when ice skating (FIGURE 10). High-arched feet tend to roll outwards (oversupinate), which can lead to ankle instability and the increased risk of lateral ankle sprains. Also, those with very high arches, tend to “under continued on page 15 PS MAGAZINE

13

EDUCATION

Brackets, Counters and Rockers, Oh Boy!

BY D E B B I E L A N E , M D F D, MM , M F F

T

urns are at the core of understanding the control of balance in skating. To simplify the concept of teaching turns, relate them in a building block manner. This will make it easier for you as a coach and easier for your student to retain the information.

Brackets can be related back to the counter rotation feeling of forward outside Mohawks and back inside Mohawks. I like to have skater memorize that on forward brackets the upper body faces outside the curve and on backward brackets the upper body faces inside the curve. A bracket is a turn that stays on the same curve, but changes edge. I teach these on the hockey circle. The skater pushes off either at the top, or bottom of the circle and places the turn between the hash marks on the side of the circle.

On the forward outside bracket, the skater will be facing outside the circle with the skating arm in front and free arm back over the circle carrying the free foot at the heel of the skating foot. The balance on their skating foot is on the middle/back of the blade approaching the turn, and then the skater performs a gentle rock up to the ball of the foot to shape the top of the turn. The hips will turn under the shoulders and the balance on the skating foot will remain on the ball of the foot on the exit edge of the turn with the free foot remaining at the heel of the skating foot.

The forward inside bracket also faces the outside of the circle with the free arm in front and the skating arm back.

Carrying the free foot slightly in front of the skating foot while entering the turn will help to keep the circle from dipping in. The free foot is carried at the heel on the exit of the turn. Again the hips turn under the shoulders.

Back brackets are skated by facing into the hockey circle with the arms held over the circle. Back outside brackets are skated by carrying the free arm in front and skating arm back. The free foot is carried at the heel of the skating foot in and out of the turn with the balance on the blade going into the turn on the ball of the foot, a gentle rock to the back of the blade and the exit out on the middle/back of the blade.

Counters can be related back to brackets. The entry into all counters is counter rotation to the curve and exit with natural rotation to the curve, like a three-turn. The balance on the blade for entry and exit of the turn is like a bracket.

However unlike brackets, counters change curves and do not change edge.

14

MARCH/APRIL 2022

I teach these turns on the same hockey circles, but the skater places the counter between the hash marks closest to the long axis of the rink and the exit edge continues until reaching the hash marks on the adjacent hockey circle. Again the arms are over the hockey circle on the entry and over the exit curve. Introducing a small scissoring motion with the free leg on counters helps the balance and control of the turn. On the front counters the motion would be free leg in front, then back and front. The back counters have the opposite motion with the free leg back, then front and back again. There should be a free leg extension on the exit of both front and back counters. The skaters are taught to say front/back/front and back/front/ back depending on the direction of the turn.

Of course checking the shoulders against the hip action is extremely important at the top of a bracket or counter for proper body and edge control.

Moving on to a different feel, we enter the world of rockers. Rockers are best related to three-turns on the entry edge. There is a natural rotation on the entry edge into the rocker and a strong check for the exit edge. The upper body faces into the curve on the entry edge and outside the curve on the exit edge for forward rockers. The upper body faces outside the curve on the entry edge and inside the curve on the exit edge for back rockers. The free leg would assume the same positions on the entry and the exit of the turns as counters. This turn changes curves, but stays on the same edge like the counters. The rockers can be taught the same way as counters on the hockey circles.

In an attempt to be thorough, these explanations are a bit lengthy. Good luck and I hope you enjoy the mind and body control you will be teaching your students!

Debbie Lane is a coach in Denver, CO at the South Suburban Ice Arena, is a PSA rating examiner, and is the ISI District 12 Representative.

This article is a reprint from the March/April 2018 issue of PS Magazine.

continued from page 13

Figure 10

Figure 11

High-arched feet (oversupination)

A Overpronation without orthotics

pronate” and thereby do not absorb shock through the joints efficiently. Skaters with high arches will have a high instep so they must be fit with a boot that will accommodate this high-volume foot. Those whose boots do not accommodate their high instep may have tongue issues and have an increased risk of lace bite (because they need to pull their tongue so tight). Although not necessarily a tongue issue, their foot may pop out of the top of the boot so they may need to excessively tighten down their tongue to close the boot.

Figure skaters with high arches should pay extra attention to their lower limbs. This foot type can be prone to tendonitis and injuries of the knees and hips due to poor shock attenuation.

Orthotics Compare the foot to the foundation of a building or the tires of a car. When the foundation settles, the house cracks. Orthotics are like jacking up that side of the house that sagged and putting a shim in to level it. When the tires of the car go out of alignment, the front-end shimmies and may pull to one side and the ball joints wear out. The tires also wear out faster. The same is true of feet. They not only wear out faster, but they throw the rest of the body out of alignment in the process.

How do skate orthotics help?

Skate fitting professionals, sports medicine physicians, and coaches are turning to foot orthotics to help restore and maintain correct arch and foot alignment within the skating boot. Foot orthotics work in conjunction with the boot to lift the arch and realign the foot to a functional position, thereby promoting joint and muscle efficiency (FIGURE 11). Reducing overpronation will greatly limit the foot from collapsing against the side of the boot, prolonging boot wear and potentially preventing the skater from being fit with a boot that is too strong for them

B Overpronation with orthotics

because previous boots broke down too soon. Better blade alignment and boot comfort are positive feedback often reported by skaters properly fitted with orthotics. Those with high arches will benefit from orthotic devices as well to support their high arches, cushion the foot, and stabilize the ankle to prevent the ankles from rolling out. Regardless of the skater’s foot dynamics, whether overpronation or oversupination, once the foot is more neutrally balanced within the boot, blade alignment should be improved.

Foot orthotics may take time to get used to and skaters may experience discomfort in the arch. A common mistake is to remove the orthotics and dismiss them as not working. The skater/parent/fitter can’t see what’s going on inside the boot and assume the discomfort is problematic and that the orthotics don’t work. But quite the opposite is true. Orthotics hold the foot into corrected position (usually a different position than the skater is accustomed to) and the foot structure may react and feel uncomfortable as a result. This is normal and expected. If a skater is uncomfortable, they can return to their fitting professional for a comfort adjustment or consult a physician for further pain evaluation.

References Bressel E., & Cronin J. (2005) The Landing Phase of a Jump: Strategies to Minimize Injuries. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance 76(2), 31-47.

Acuña, S., Smith, D., Robinson, J., Hawks, J., Starbuck, P., King, D., Ridge, S., & Charles, S. (2014). Instrumented figure skating blade for measuring on-ice skating forces. Measurement Science and Technology, 25(12).

Lavangie, P., & Norkin, C. (2011). Joint structure and function. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis.

Neumann, D.A. (2017). Kinesiology of the musculoskeletal system; Foundations for Rehabilitation. St-Louis, MO: Saunders Elsevier.

PS MAGAZINE

15

LAKE PLACID, NY JUNE 6 - AUGUST 27 2022 WWW.PEAK-ICE.COM info@peak-ice.com

INTERNATIONAL FOR EVERYONE.

FIGURE LED BY

SKATING CAMPS BENOIT RICHAUD

In addition to a full schedule of education sessions, we have planned ample time for in-person attendees to reconnect with old skating friends.

Scheduled to present...

It’s time to Chica-GO! Continue your coaching journey at the 2022 PSA Summit. Join us to reflect on where we’ve been and map out the path ahead.

Gain useful insight for immediate use in your coaching career via these scheduled sessions:

eB noit Richaud

Navigating IJS Decisions | Josh Fischel and Melissa Dillenbeck This presentation is breaking down the importance of understanding the point values, construction of, and development of spins from Juvenile through Senior levels. This will be discussed in detail from a National Technical Specialist and National Judge.

Discovering New Technology | Lindsay Slater and Brandon Siakel In this session, we will discuss how we have utilized a measurement unit a skater during training to monitor jump counts and jump characteristics, such as speed of rotation during the jump and time in the air. We have helped create a figure skating-specific app that allows the skater/coach to provide immediate feedback without intervening in normal practice sessions.

In Pursuit of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | Kadari Taylor-Watson The demographics of skating in the United States are going to change, and either the sport will shrink or become more diverse. Incorporating a wider set of viewpoints on your team will be integral to your success as a coach.

Hubbell/Donohue

PLEASE NOTE Summit day changes (compared to previous years): The 2022 Summit begins

at 8am on Wednesday, May 25 and will conclude at 1pm on Friday, May 27.

Drew Meekins

VENUE

TRADE SHOW

Hyatt Regency Schaumburg, Chicago

Wednesday, May 25 & Thursday, May 26

1800 E Golf Road Schaumburg, IL 60173 1-847-605-1234

Join us for our full display of exhibitors.

This is a great opportunity to be fitted by the professionals, purchase direct from manufacturers, and view the latest in software, boots, blades, clothing, and more!

PS MAGAZINE

17

please take note!

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE | all times Central

IN

In-person session

LS Live stream

Wednesday, May 25 Josh Fischel and Melissa Dillenbeck

8:00-9:00am

IN LS

Navigating IJS Decisions

9:15-10:15am

IN LS

Skating Friends Are Forever Friends Members Reunion

10:15-10:30am

IN LS

Summit Opening & Preview

Teri Hooper

10:30am-11:45pm

IN LS

A Fork in the Road – Navigating from Athlete (Olympic) to Coach

Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue

11:45am-1:00pm

| Sponsored by Jackson Ultima

Lunch

1:00-2:00pm

IN LS

Turn the Corner: Developing Powerful Skating Skills

Benoit Richaud

2:00-3:00pm

IN LS

Jump on the Bandwagon – Jumps

Denise Myers

3:15-4:15pm

IN LS

Expedition into Benoit’s Choreographic Process

Benoit Richaud

4:15-5:15pm

IN LS

Just the Ticket – Spins

Drew Meekins

5:15-6:00pm

IN

Hockey Session

Jordan Mann

6:30-8:30pm

IN LS

President’s Reception

Alex Chang

| Sponsored by Peak Ice

| Sponsored by Peak Ice

Thursday, May 26 8:00-9:00am

IN LS

Embark on a Ratings Quest

Denise Williamson and Cheryl Faust

9:15-10:15am

IN LS

Your Coaching Compass: Unconditional Positive Regard

Lauren McHenry and Caroline Silby

10:30-10:45am

IN LS

Day 2 Welcome & Preview

Teri Hooper

10:45am-12:00pm

IN LS

The Road to Resilience

USOPC Apollo Team

12:00-1:30pm

Lunch

1:30-2:30pm

IN LS

In Pursuit of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Kadari Taylor-Watson

2:45-3:30pm

IN LS

Jackson Ultima

Jackson Ultima

3:45-4:45pm

IN LS

General Assembly

PSA Executive Committee

6:30-10:30pm

IN LS

Edi Awards Dinner and Cocktail/Social Hour

Andrea Kunz Williamson

Friday, May 27

18

8:00-8:05am

IN LS

Day 3 Welcome & Preview

Teri Hooper

8:05-9:05am

IN LS

MAP: Medical Action Plan

Gretchen Mohney and USFS Sports Physician

9:15-10:15am

IN LS

TBD

TBD

10:30am-11:15am

IN LS

Discovering New Technology

Lindsay Slater and Brandon Siakel

11:30am-12:30pm

IN LS

Stepping Stones: LTS to Aspire Pathway

Learn to Skate USA and Aspire Group

12:30-1:00pm

IN LS

Summit Closing

Teri Hooper, Alex Chang, Jimmie Santee

MARCH/APRIL 2022

REGISTRATION Registration for the 2022 Summit opened November 1. The 2022 Summit will offer three registration tracks: in-person, livestream, and on-demand. All registrants, regardless of

registration track, will have access to 2022 Summit content via PSA TV through June 30, 2023 and will automatically receive 28 education credits.

In-person

Livestream

On-demand

In-person attendees get the full Summit experience with access to all sessions and the opportunity to reconnect with the coaching community.

The livestream track is perfect for coaches who want to participate in Summit but aren’t ready to travel.

On-demand access brings the Summit to those who are not available during the Summit dates but who are committed to pursuing coaching education.

• Access to pre-Summit recorded sessions • Interactive workshops • In-person networking and social sessions • Ability to participate in Q & A with all presenters • Coffee social and members’ reunion • Coffee break sponsored by Jackson Ultima • Light appetizers and beverages at the President’s Reception • Awards Dinner ticket for every attendee ($90 value) • Access to Hockey 4 Certificate (separate registration required) • Access to in-person ratings (separate registration required) • Join the U.S. Open watch party • Go out on the town and enjoy Chicago with PSA colleagues!

• Access to recorded sessions after Summit

• Access to pre-Summit recorded sessions • Hosted livestream sessions during Summit with virtual host Matthew Lind • Opportunity to send questions during Q and A with select presenters • Access to recorded sessions after Summit

• Access to recorded sessions after Summit

Journey Back Together with us at this year's EDI Awards

EXTRAS

Hockey 4 Certificate Wednesday May 25 The Hockey 4 Certificate course and exam will be offered during the 2022 PSA Summit and is available to in-person attendees only. The registration fee includes access to a pre-Summit webinar, an on-ice session, a study guide, and the exam. Participants must complete and pass Hockey 1, 2, and 3 online prior to the Summit. Registration for Hockey 4 is available within Summit registration.

Ratings Tuesday May 24 8:00am-3:00pm Master and senior level exams in all disciplines will be offered.

Registration opens on November 1.

Registration deadline: March 15

U.S. Open Professional Figure Skating Championships Tuesday, May 24 at 7:00pm CST PS MAGAZINE

19

Managing

y t e i x an in athletes

BY JULIANNE PONDELLI

A

nxiety is such a common struggle in today’s society.

There seems to be a lot more pressure on athletes with the time and money necessary for succeeding in sport. Anxiety can play a role in both personal life, academics, and athletics.

Research shows that 1 in 3 adolescents meet the criteria for anxiety disorder and NCAA research shows that 85% of collegiate student athletes are experiencing anxiety.

Figure skating can cause increased stress on an athlete considering how much money, time, and commitment is needed to succeed. Certain anxiety can manifest itself in eating habits.

For example, anxiety can cause either a lack of appetite leading to a lower intake or an increase in emotional or binge eating leading to a higher intake of calories.

If a skater is struggling with anxious tendencies, there are several strategies coaches can use to help their athlete to manage anxiety. First, it is important to recognize the difference between anxiety and nerves. “Anxiety” has a bad connotation in today’s society, when in reality anxiety is a natural human reaction to stress. Nerves are normal in situations such as competing and testing. Anxiety differs from nerves as it has an impact on the skater’s performance and life outside the rink.

Practicing and preaching mindfulness is a tool that coaches can encourage. Techniques like deep breathing and focusing on one element in a program at a time are other ways to manage feelings of anxiousness. An example of a deep

20

MARCH/APRIL 2022

breathing technique is to breathe in for four and breathe out for eight.

This can be a highly effective practice during training and competitions where there is more pressure.

Coaches may also suggest dietary changes that have been proven to help ease anxiety. These foods are high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties: • Salmon is high in omega 3 fatty acids which help to promote brain health. The omega 3’s in salmon regulate dopamine and serotonin which reduce anxiety and cause the brain to respond better to stressors.

Salmon has high levels of Vitamin D, which studies have shown has positive effects on anxiety and that brain function is affected by vitamin D status.

• Chamomile is an herb that may help to reduce anxiety due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Chamomile extract regulates neurotransmitters that affect mood and studies have shown a reduction in feelings of anxiousness when supplemented. However, more research is needed on the effect of chamomile tea.

• Turmeric is a spice that promotes brain health due to high levels of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin, found in turmeric, is largely responsible for promoting brain health. Absorption is increased when it is paired with black pepper.

• Dark Chocolate contains flavonols that act as antioxidants by being

protective and increasing blood flow to the brain.

Studies have shown immediate calming effects after consuming.

Dark chocolate is higher in fat and calories and can be easy to overconsume. 1-1.5 oz servings are best (ie. dark chocolate square of big bar; 1–2 Lindt chocolates) • Yogurt with live active cultures have probiotics that are protective of the whole body, including the brain.

Probiotics are thought to increase serotonin which is the main mood stabilizing hormone.

• Green tea is thought to lower stress levels by decreasing the stress hormone cortisol.

Other ingredients/ foods to keep in a skater’s regular diet to help alleviate anxiety include tryptophan (bananas, turkey, and oats), high quality protein (eggs, meat, dairy), omega 3 (chia seeds), vitamin c (citrus fruit, bell peppers, blueberries), and vitamin E (almonds).

Coaches can give advice to help ease anxiety and nerves, but if the athlete is struggling, coaches can recommend seeing a mental health specialist to help them manage their individual stressors.

Julianne Pondelli MS, RD, LDN is a Professional Figure Skating Coach and Registered Dietitian in the Boston area. She holds a PSA Registered Rating in MITF and FS and is an AFAA Certified Athletic Trainer. She is the Head Coach of Northeastern University’s Collegiate Figure Skating Club and coaches at many clubs in the Boston Area. Instagram: @skaternutrition

PS MAGAZINE

21

Congratulations to our PSA Olympic Coaches!

Photos by Melanie Heaney

Coaches Romain Haguenauer and Patrice Lauzon with members of Team USA

Coach Tom Zakrajsek watches intently from the boards Jason Brown and coach Tracy Wilson wave from the Kiss and Cry.

22

MARCH/APRIL 2022

Coach Tammy Gambill with Karen Chen

Coach Peter Cain looks on from the boards

Nathan Chen and coach Rafael Arutyunyan celebrate in the Kiss and Cry

Ice Dancers Chock and Bates check-in with coach Patrice Lauzon

Alexa Knierim hugs coach Todd Sand

Tracy Wilson

PS MAGAZINE

23

At the end of last year the PSA conducted our seventh bi-annual membership survey. We were thankful to hear from 814 respondents who took the time to share their insight.

88.5%

of resp are Inde ondents pe Contrac ndent tors How many years have you been coaching?

Median Coaches Salary

30%

20

15

21

20

40%

20%

2011

2013

21-30 years 2015

31-40 years

2017

2019

20

10-20 years

19

Less than 10 years

Over 40 years

2021

What is your current focus as a coach? May choose more than one.

%

50

%

50

%

50

%

50

%

50

%

50

%

100

%

50

%

100

%

50

%

100

%

50

2013 2015 2017 2019 2021

Secondary/ Supplemental

24

MARCH/APRIL 2022

20

17

10%

Do you pay a commission?

2011 YES What is your private lesson fee based on 60 minutes?

2013 YES 2015 YES

30%

2017 YES 2019 YES

20%

2021

YES 11%

10%

$25-$35

$36-$45

$46-$55

$56-$65

2013

SKATE

PAIRS

E ON IC

IN

AT

RE

APHY

P GROU

THE

CE

Over $105

Do not teach private lessons

2021

FIELD

NG KATI DS

E DANC

47.7%

52.3%

50.3%

46.4%

51.7%

R OTHE

I

RE

OG R

$95-$105

Respondents that hold another job in addition to coaching

MOVES

THE KE Y

$86-$95

CHO

HO C

2019

$76-$85

2017 / 2019 / 2021 average

F

REE

2017

SYNCHRONIZ

Main Discipline Focus

2015

$66-$75

E

Less than $25

Varies

2013

2015

2017

What is your group lesson fee based on 60 minutes?

2019

2021

Hours per week

30%

More th a

n 15

11-15 6-10 0-5

20%

34%

10%

Less than $15

$16-$20

$21-25 2009

2011

$26-$30 2013

2015

$31-$35 2017

Over $35 2019

Do not teach

2021 PS MAGAZINE

25

COACHING DEVELOPMENT Heidi Thibert, MFS, MM, MC

“Oh, the places you’ll go, today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so…get on your way!" ~ Dr. Seuss

Take the “Scenic Route”…

W

hen someone says, “We took the scenic route,” we all know it means to travel the route that isn’t the fastest, but that has beautiful scenery along the journey.

If you think of your coaching as a journey from one milestone to another, it’s clear there a couple of ways to approach it — just like taking a road trip. Some coaches will cruise along the easiest and fastest route (the highway) to get to the destination, therefore missing some of the highlights along the way. Other coaches enjoy the “drive’ taking the challenge of navigating the scenic route to their career goals. But what does choosing the scenic route in coaching mean? It may mean…

Choosing to be different from the ‘norm’ When you take the scenic route, you are choosing to separate yourself from the rest of the coaches. You might decide to pursue your PSA ratings, choosing to take yourself out of your comfort zone. This means leaving behind the most convenient option of just coaching what you already know, and instead taking the path less travelled to affirm and validate your methods and process.

By choosing this path, it can take you to innovative ideas and new results. You might be the first in your rink or club to climb the rating ladder. You might decide to save up and attend the PSA Summit in Chicago in May. If you do, you won’t believe the ideas you will go back to the rink with. You could sign up for PSA’s Foundations of Coaching Course, Ratings Prep, or decide to subscribe to PSA TV to view the hundreds of videos with content from our greatest coaches.

Choosing to take your time and enjoy the journey Savoring the moments of true coaching delight…the first student to get an Axel, to pass a senior test, to qualify for a national championship…are all gifts you can give yourself.

Those coaching milestones only happen for the “first time” once. To get the most out of the coaching journey, make sure you slow down and enjoy those experiences. Pause at those moments and look at the time and effort you and your student had invested. It's called a “scenic route” for a reason! Don’t fall back into just going from one competition or test to another. Give your coaching journey meaning, adventure, and acknowledgment. Make the most of every single moment, every accomplishment, every struggle, because once you reach your destination, the journey ends.

26

MARCH/APRIL 2022

Choosing to look for the “views” Without searching for the “views” that put the joy of coaching in perspective, coaching can become stale, routine, and joyless. Our view of the rink and environment around us starts with our own mindsets. Every coach reaches points in their career of disappointment, indifference, boredom, and even resentment. When you take the scenic route, it puts these feelings in perspective.

Our perspective colors our perceptions of our surroundings and, in turn, our effectiveness on those we teach and work with. A healthy practice is to choose to focus on all of the wonderful things you will accomplish with your students, and how much joy and satisfaction those accomplishments will bring to them. It only takes a moment to either see those highlights during a coaching career or to completely miss them because of being too busy trying to see what's ahead.

Realizing that the road is never straight Sometimes in coaching (or life), we can feel like we are in the middle of nowhere on a winding road with no phone reception and light fading. We might begin to panic because we feel lost and might not even be able to call for help. With the speed of changes in our sport, it’s easy to get worried about where we are on our journey in comparison to the other coaches in the rink or region, and we can feel pretty isolated and alone even inside a crowded coaches’ room.

It is impossible to know what is around the corner, but we can learn to accept and enjoy the “drive” for what it is – an adventure to a place in our coaching where we have never been and can’t imagine what the experience will be like.

Dictionary.com literally defines adventure as “an exciting or very unusual experience. Participation in exciting undertakings or enterprises. A bold, usually risky undertaking; hazardous action of uncertain outcome.”

When is the last time you did something to improve your coaching skills that wasn’t a requirement for the season?

Coaching is a profession of continuous growth, and if we aren’t growing, we are standing still. We guide, advise, and yes, sometimes push, our athletes out of their comfort zone in an effort to further their development as an athlete.

However, we are far less likely to push ourselves towards continuous improvement in our profession. Why is that?

What gets in the way? Time, of course. And life’s demands of our families, our students, and our commitments. That

N

NETWORKIN G

EDUCATION

P

MEMBERS HI

REDITAT ACC IO

“Sometimes the most scenic routes in life are the detours you didn’t mean to make.”

Angela N Blount said, just like any thing that is worth doing, continuous improvement as a professional takes time and effort. We as coaches need to see the importance of refreshing our quest for excellence to the ultimate outcome of our work with our athletes. Not because we have to, but because we want to… and that’s leads us to our why.

Preparing for the journey Without a doubt, the most enjoyable adventures are those when we are prepared for what is to come. For example, when your car has a full tank or a full charge, you aren’t as limited to how far you can drive without stopping for gasoline or an electric charge. The more that you prepare for the journey ahead, the more you can get out of it Grasping the concept of taking the scenic route allows us to embark on our coaching pathway knowing that there will be many challenges, making sure we are prepared for those challenges, learning to make the most out of every moment, finding the positivity in our work, and enjoying the fruits of our labor.

We can prepare ourselves for an adventurous coaching journey ahead by constantly working on our professional development. You only have the one coaching journey – consider taking the “scenic route.” In your professional development quest, I wish you all the "joy of the journey". - Heidi Thibert, PSA Senior Director of Coaching Development

Where do you want to go with your coaching career?

www.skatepsa.com

PS MAGAZINE

27

Synchronized ynchroizedS tingSkating Ska

by MARY JOHANSON

G

race is a nineteenyear-old young girl who has experienced some challenges and struggled to find sports programs through her school connections. In her early elementary years, when her brother began to skate and play hockey, Grace found that there were no skating programs available for children with disabilities. By the time she was twelve, Coach Johanson had begun to include children with challenges in her new program. Grace began her journey with her friend Alex and together they continued to become Special Olympians. Their travels have included competing in Austria and Iceland, and winning Gold medals!

With the subsequent development of the Unified Hockettes team, Grace was able to continue with her skating dreams. She described “feeling so excited” when she was chosen for the synchronized team. Erin Donovan has been the director and coach of the Hockettes Synchronized Skating Program

28

MARCH/APRIL 2022

since 2002. She began the first unified team in 2018.

Since being a part of the team, Grace expresses that she feels very energetic and strong, and values the support she feels from her teammates. Her mother, Marie, reports that Grace was unable to ride a bicycle prior to learning to skate. By the time she was thirteen and had participated in the Learn to Skate program, she mastered this skill. The overall improvement in her core stability, balance, body awareness, and ability to plan and execute accurate movements has

carried over into all aspects of her life.

Both Grace and her mother report that the benefits from team skating are invaluable.

Grace credits all her coaches, including both individual and team coaches, for “helping me on the inside and supporting others to be successful.”

Emma is a skater who is on the highly competitive Junior Hockettes team.

Emma’s team coach, Erin Donovan, invited her to become a part of the unified team as a peer mentor. She had seen the girls at one of the competitions and became interested in working with them to improve their skills and help them to build team accomplishments.

In her role as a peer mentor, Emma helps the girls who experience challenges with warming up and learning to sequence the steps.

She talks with them, and finds creative ways to guide them to learn a new program. Emma considers this a normal part of the sport, mentoring others, as is done in any

other professional experience. She and the other mentors offer encouragement and support, guiding without unrealistic expectations or judgment. With involvement on this team, success on the ice is not the most important accomplishment.

“Ninety percent of the time, we are not competing. It’s not about winning. The ten percent of the time that we are competing, the focus remains on how the skaters feel about their experiences.” Emma places a high value on helping others and enjoys doing this through adaptive skating. She describes her involvement as inspiring, fun and becoming a family with the other skaters and families. Although Emma does not aspire to become a professional coach, she does want to make an impact by helping others through her hard work. She is considering getting a college degree in the medical field after her high school graduation.

Both Grace and Emma have tremendous respect for their coaches. They feel supported and appreciate that the coaches create an extremely positive environment.

For Emma, the contrast between being on a highly competitive team where the focus is on perfection and winning, not just improving, this team provides a wonderful feeling of connection. Even when the team may not perform well, overcoming fear may be the most meaningful lesson of the event.”

The above is an excerpt from an article written by Denise Fisher, the parent of a former Hockette and writer for 2LIV4.org. This article highlights the mental and physical benefits for adaptive skaters who participate in various programming, specifically ones that allow close

interaction between individuals with disabilities and their mentors. In the case of the unified team, which is made up of half Special Olympics skaters and half peer mentors, all of the skaters benefit from the skater connections, mentors and Special Olympians alike.

Unified synchronized skating is just one of many “next step” programs coaches, clubs and rinks could add for adaptive skaters who may be ready to move beyond a weekly Learn to Skate class or other adaptive skating beginner program. Adaptive skaters can participate in Compete USA, Skate United 6.0 competition, U.S. Figure Skating testing on the adaptive skating track, National Showcase events, adult compe-

tition, theater on ice, Special Olympics competition and more.

Information on these programs can be found at U.S. Figure Skating’s Adaptive Skating page.

For more information about the Adaptive Skating Programs and the Unified Hockettes Synchronized Team, please contact: MaryJohanson at coachmaryjohanson@gmail.com

PS MAGAZINE

29

B e n o i t R ichau d

A Unique Coach Offers a Unique Perspective

By Kent McDill

30

MARCH/APRIL 2022

T

he on-ice sessions at the PSA Summit in Chicago this May promise to be unique. In addition to jumps with Denise Myers and spins with Drew Meekins, Benoit Richaud will take us on a unique choreographic journey.

Benoit Richaud, the young French choreographer, will offer his words of wisdom to attendees with two on-ice sessions. The first will focus on developing powerful skating skills, and the second will be an expedition into Benoit’s choreographic process. Richaud comes fresh off of seeing 10 of his choreographed performances excel at the Winter Olympics in Beijing.

Benoit has been working with Kaori Sakamoto for around five years —she just won Olympic bronze for Japan last week. He also works with many others: Dutch Lindsay van Zundert, Czech Eliska Brezinova, Polish Ekaterina Kurakova, Italian Daniel Grassl, French Adam Siao, Mexican Donovan Carillo, and many more.

At the age of 34, Richaud has developed a passion for offering previously unseen choreography which develops out of an understanding of the skaters he is working with.

“One thing I have seen over the years is that there is always something different from what you have seen before,” Richaud said to PSA magazine in attempting to describe his coaching philosophy. “It is very hard for me to describe my philosophy toward choreography because it is created from my skater.”

Michelangelo once said the way to create a statue of Moses out of a block of granite is to chip away everything that was not Moses. Richaud works the other way, seeing the artist in the skater from the start and then building the successful skater from there. That is why Richaud works so hard at developing a relationship with his skater, so that he can design a program specifically to the best artistic ability of that skater.

“I work to the unique personalities of each of my skaters,’’ Richaud told PSA magazine in mid-February. “As someone who knows my skater, the No. 1 priority for me, the way I do everything, is for my skater. I am very excited to discover something new in each of my skaters.

“I feel like each of my skaters is a treasure chest to open,” he said. “Each has something special to discover inside that box. My job is to make them realize they have that something special and to explore that, to show them their direction.”

Communicating to skaters and coaches

While discussing his communication patterns with skaters, Richaud laughed and suggested that his interviewer talk to his wife about how he communicates.

“The way I work and teach, communication is very important with all the people I work with,” Richaud said.

“I am very honest. When I feel I am seeing something that works, I do it. I have no fear.”

Richaud said his keynote address to the PSA will cover the topic of fear as it relates to coaching.

“The most important thing I am going to teach them is not to be scared,” he said. “To move forward.

I travel everywhere in the world, but I see the U.S.A., it has always been a unique country because people are not scared to move, and to grow straight to an idea.

“When I look back at my career, I was not scared of losing, I was not scared to be criticized. I was very sure, even in my mistakes, that I was right.

That is what I want them to believe and to understand.”

A look at the Olympics

For the Beijing Olympics, Richaud taught 14 programs, but only 10—five females, three males, and two pairs —ended up competing due to injury and other factors. He watched the competition from his home and birthplace of Avignon, France, but was very pleased by what he saw in the programs that were skated.

“There was more diverse skating this year,” Richaud said. “I saw much more the unique personalities in the competition than I have seen before.

People are getting less scared.

“You know, we always consider men as powerful and the girls as sweet and sensitive, but figure skating is much more than that,” he said. “Figure skating should look like reality. I want to see different staples from different countries. I want people to understand the beauty of diversity. There is not just one way. I want people to understand that maybe what they think is not beautiful is maybe charming.

There is another way to be beautiful. I’m looking for uniqueness, I’m looking to find a way to make something special.

I’m not looking to cook something that has been overcooked.”

Camps held in Lake Placid in April.

The full day camp is for aspiring skaters as well as professional level performers working in small groups with some of the world’s leading coaches along with Richaud.

“I believe in sharing moments,” Richaud said in regard to his camp coaching intentions. “I like to invite all of my friends to work together and to share our knowledge to the young generation. I do the camp for the young version of myself who did not have such a camp available. I want to give experience to skaters from all different backgrounds, from the little one to the Olympic athlete.”

Looking ahead

Richaud’s unique approach to coaching extends to his attitude toward his own career. He considers it a necessity to grow and change as the skaters change.

“You cannot be the same person tomorrow that you are today,” he said.

“You must evolve. I’m learning every day new things. That is one reason I like to work with the lower level skater. They are new to the sport and bring something new to me.

“When you are doing something that you love, you always want to find a way to get better at it,” he concluded.

The Peak Ice Skating Camps

Richaud is the lead choreographer for the Peak Ice Skating

PS MAGAZINE

31

Board of Governors Nominees MIDWEST Lee Cabell / Andrea Kunz-Williamson / Jessica Mills Kincade WEST Brock Huddleston / Stacie Kuglin / Russ Scott

MIDWEST LEE CABELL

Ratings: MFF

• • • • •

What do you believe should be the main focus of the PSA Board of Governors?

I believe that the main foci of the PSA Board of Governors are: Being good stewards of the membership resources.

Supporting the membership through volunteerism and shared knowledge.

Setting the standard for ethical character in coaching.

Planning carefully for the future to sustain the organization for generations of coaches to come.

Establishing, maintaining, and nurturing professional relationships between PSA and other sport related organizations to expand knowledge and experience offered to members.

What do you believe the PSA can achieve in the next three years?

Having been an PSA member for 37 years, I have seen the organization grow to serve the needs of more people and many different groups within the skating industry. However, with growth comes challenges. Facing these challenges and turning them into opportunities is something I believe the PSA has a great capacity for. As the industry changes, the PSA must adapt and change as well.

While I cannot predict the future, I can plan and strive to put the organization in a position to stay ahead of change, and in many cases be the catalyst for change. This is still a “pandemic” time and hopefully soon to be “post-pandemic”.

What do you believe are the three most important issues the PSA must address?

1. Keep exploring education processes at every level of figure skating, i.e., seminars, clinics, webinars, annual summit, super site, etc.

2. Bridge a gap between sport science theory and practicality of figure skating.

32

MARCH/APRIL 2022

3. Update the questions for the PSA rating exams more frequently with the current issues.

4. Keeping their members updated on the latest IJS. Do you have any additional ideas or goals that you would like to pursue if elected to the PSA Board?

If elected to the PSA Board of Governors, my vision will be to assist the organization in maintaining and broadening its nationwide and worldwide authority on figure skating.

Achieved and sustained through research dissemination, coaching assistance, best practices, and safety and health guidelines, I will be an active participant in advising, overseeing, assisting, leading, supporting, and promoting these and all aspects of the PSA. As a sport researcher and biomechanist, and ambassador of the PSA, I will continue to work with sport and exercise research scientists and sport and performance coaches to bridge the gap between research outcomes and practical performance coaching. In constant pursuit of excellence in best practices for performance training, I will network to gain and share information with other performance coaches, sport coaches, sports medicine personnel, and athletes for the betterment of the PSA and our profession.

ANDREA KUNZWILLIAMSON

Ratings: MFS, MM, MPD, MG What do you believe should be the main focus of the PSA Board of Governors?

I believe the focus of the PSA Board of Governors is to promote and provide affordable continuing education to its members, strengthen and nurture relations with USFS, ISU, and ISI, and continually search for avenues of future growth and development of the organization.

What do you believe the PSA can achieve in the next three years?

• Increase their utilization of advanced technology to provide more affordable and accessible educational opportunities for all coaches, grassroots through elite levels.

• Continue to improve the standardization of the ratings process through examiner training, to provide a positive and beneficial experience for the candidate and examiners.

• Promote membership involvement in all areas of the organization, to encourage greater investment in the growth and success of PSA What do you believe are the three most important issues the PSA must address?

1. Affordable and accessible educational opportunities to our members 2. Increasing membership, worldwide recognition of the organization 3. Keeping members updated and current with our ever-changing sport/rules Do you have any additional ideas or goals that you would like to pursue if elected to the PSA Board?

I would like to further expand the educational opportunities for Skating/Program Directors in our industry.

JESSICA MILLS KINCADE

Ratings: MFS, CG Ranking: Level III

What do you believe should be the main focus of the PSA Board of Governors?

The BOG is responsible for the management, administration and vision of the organization. They must act in a way that is fiscally responsible and place the best interest of its members in the forefront of every decision. Every member of the BOG should be responsible for contributing to the Board’s function.

2022 board election voting is open March 5th–April 8th to all full PSA members and will be sent via email.

What do you believe the PSA can achieve in the next three years?

I would love to see the Moves in the Field hand book with a virtual component. I know there is a MIF app on the market and there are dozens of videos on YouTube of moves and dances. It would be great if there was a place to go that has PSA endorsed videos. Also adding in FS elements and drills in a way that is easier to access than the PSA TV. I would love to see more of a platform of networking between coaches. How can we help each other out?

What do you believe are the three most important issues the PSA must address?

• This is an organization for the coaches by the coaches. Are the coaches being heard? What do they want? I’m not sure all coaches feel like the PSA is benefiting them, how can that perception change?

• Making sure all coaches have the most current information. Rules are so fast changing and there are so many different avenues for athletes within USFS. It can be overwhelming and confusing. Technique and technology are also changing; it is important to make sure all coaches are up to date. Maybe there is a system of passing on information that goes beyond the area email blasts.

• Continue to improve the process of educating and evaluating coaches.

Do you have any additional ideas or goals that you would like to pursue if elected to the PSA Board?

I think the PSA has done a very good job in trying to engage with its members throughout this pandemic. I feel a vision and values statement should be added to the organization’s mission.

Looking at the current BOG, I would be honored to sit among a group of peers I have so much respect for. I would look forward to listening and learning from people who have so much more experience than I do. I would prefer to gather thoughts after spending time listening, before making suggestions on a new path forward.

I do think there can be some kind of follow up on Master-ratings, beyond the credit requirement. Our sport has become so fastchanging and credits may not be enough of a guarantee that Master-rated coaches are worthy of their title.

WEST BROCK HUDDLESTON

Ratings: MG, SM, RFS, RD What do you believe should be the main focus of the PSA Board of Governors?

The Board of Governors should continue to focus on educating and certifying the current membership base, while actively working to acquire new members who can carry on the legacy of the organization. In light of COVID-19, the Board of Governors should also continue to prioritize helping current members and their athletes transition back to a new “normal” while emphasizing best practices for personal safety and well-being.

What do you believe the PSA can achieve in the next three years?

• Introduce – The PSA can introduce new outreach programs that will attract potential new membership. In addition, the PSA can introduce a more personalized approach to welcoming and guiding newer members.

• Develop – With the introduction of PSA’s new website and educational platforms, we can continue to develop a more userfriendly and robust online experience for the membership.

• Master – Prior to the pandemic, the PSA

had mastered its in-person seminar and annual summit experiences. At a safe and appropriate time, the PSA should offer these events again.

• Enhance – Virtual ratings and other virtual education opportunities have been a huge success, and the PSA should continue to enhance these frameworks and technologies What do you believe are the three most important issues the PSA must address?

1. Partnerships for Best Practices – The PSA should forge relationships with rink owners, managers, and program directors who can share current best practices in order to create excellent programs.

2. Search and Serve – The PSA should search for ways to provide a sense of community and communication for new and potential members, while also continuing to serve its current membership with meaningful educational opportunities.

3. Affordability and Accessibility – The PSA should strive to serve all membership demographics, from newer to veteran coaches, who may teach in locations that vary from underserved communities to skating meccas.

Do you have any additional ideas or goals that you would like to pursue if elected to the PSA Board?

• The revamped Foundations of Coaching Course (FCC) has been very well received.

I would like to develop a similar curriculum for program directors called “Foundations of Directing Course (FDC).”

• In addition to this new FDC course, I would like to introduce more on-going education for Program Directors through e-learning platform modules, webinars, seminars, and at Summit. continued

PS MAGAZINE

33

STACIE KUGLIN

Ratings: MM, MG, SF, SFS What do you believe is the main focus of the PSA Board of Governors?

To promote professionalism in our sport and to help raise the coaching level and ability of each member through continuous education.

What do you believe the PSA can achieve in the next three years?

• Continue to offer virtual rating sites throughout the year, which will allow more members to become rated at a more affordable cost.

• Have every committee, with their job description and terms, posted on the PSA website.

• Send out notices through E:Reach when openings are available and how to apply.

What do you believe are the three most important issues the PSA must address?

1. Continue to make educational opportunities available and affordable to coaches, through webinars and virtual sites.

2. Promote coaches to get Rated/Ranked.

Coaches learn and grow so much through the ratings process, which greatly benefits our athletes and our sport.

3. The PSA is our organization! Members

T

need to be encouraged to get involved through service, whether it’s being a ratings examiner, hosting a clinic/ seminar or being on a committee.

RUSS SCOTT

Ratings: MFS, MP, CM Ranking: Level V What do you believe should be the main focus of the PSA Board of Governors?

Continued growth of membership, improved and added educational opportunities, more benefits for member coaches

Copyright PSA 2009

34

MARCH/APRIL 2022

Do you have any additional ideas or goals that you would like to pursue if elected to the PSA Board?

• Expand mentorship programs • Create more pathways and assistance for show skaters to transition into the coaching world • More coordination with LTS USA and LTS USA coaches • Create rink liaisons across the country to broaden the reach of the PSA

What do you believe the PSA can achieve in the next three years?

1. Development of a stronger developmental coaches educational program 2. Improved entry level ratings process 3. Increase of membership through expanded outreach to rink owners, managers and 4. Skating directors What do you believe are the three most important issues the PSA must address?

1. Education of grass roots coaches 2. Improved relationships with rink manage-

he PSA Hockey Skating Committee is thrilled to be offering an in-person hockey SKATING HOCKEY session for the first time in MANUAL three years! This May, coaches can earn their Hockey Skating 4 certification, or just attend for the educational opportunity, during the 2022 PSA Summit in Chicago.

All Summit attendees are encouraged to join us on the ice for the Hockey Skating 4 presentation. Coaches who have passed Hockey Skating 3 are eligible to earn their Hockey Skating 4 certification by registering in advance for the program. Candidates will attend a webinar the week before Summit as well as the on-ice session.

S A S S O C I AT I O N P R O F E S S I O N A L S K AT E R

ment nationwide connecting to coaches of all levels 3. Maintaining financial stability in order to continue providing quality educational opportunities

If you are currently working with hockey players, or looking to expand your professional breadth in the future, we encourage you to join us for some great networking, dialogue, and information designed to help you take your power skating business to the next level.

Ready to incorporate hockey skating lessons into your business?

Start by pursuing the PSA Hockey 1, 2, and 3 e-learning certificate courses at skatepsa.com. Hockey 4 will be offered live at the 2022 PSA Summit in Chicago.

2022 Honor Roll

Madison Chock / Evan Bates COACHED BY Patrice Lauzon,

Marie-France Dubreuil, Pascal Denis, Romain Haguenauer, Steffany Hanlen

PHOTO COURTESY OF U.S. FIGURE SKATING

2022

PSA Coaches Honor Roll P H OTO S C O U RT E S Y O F U . S . F I G U R E S K AT I N G Disclaimer: This honor roll lists only the coach(es) of record within EMS for each athlete and may not be a complete representation of an athlete’s full coaching team.

2022 TOYOTA U.S. Figure Skating Championships Athlete(s)

Coach(es)

1 2 3 4

Leah Neset / Artem Markelov Angela Ling / Caleb Wein Elliana Peal / Ethan Peal Vanessa Pham / Jonathan Rogers

Elena Dostatni, Cheri Neset Greg Zuerlein, Dmytri Ilin Robert Peal, Siobhan Godwin Roman Zaretsky

JUNIOR LADIES

1 2 3 4

Clare Seo Ava Ziegler Josephine Lee Katie Shen

Tammy Gambill Patricia Ziegler, Steven Rice Amy Evidente, Naomi Nam Christopher Pottenger, Alan Medina

JUNIOR MEN

1 2 3 4

Kai Kovar Will Annis Maxim Zharkov Joseph Klein

Amanda Kovar, Karl Kovar, Alex Chang Aleksey Letov, Olga Ganicheva Andrei Zharkov Damon Allen, Tammy Gambill

JUNIOR PAIRS

1 2 3 4

Sonia Baram / Daniel Tioumentsev Isabelle Martins / Ryan Bedard Catherine Rivers / Timmy Chapman Megan Wessenberg / Blake Eisenach

Anna Baram, Todd Sand, Jenni Meno-Sand, Anna Tarassova, Christine Fowler Binder, Chris Knierim Rockne Brubaker, Stefania Berton Jenni Meno-Sand, Todd Sand, Christine Fowler Binder, Christopher Knierim Jenni Meno-Sand, Todd Sand, Christine Fowler Binder, Christopher Knierim

CHAMPIONSHIP ICE DANCE

1 2 3 4

Madison Chock / Evan Bates Madison Hubbell / Zachary Donohue Kaitlin Hawayek / Jean-Luc Baker Caroline Green / Michael Parsons

Patrice Lauzon, Marie-France Dubreuil, Pascal Denis, Romain Haguenauer, Steffany Hanlen Patrice Lauzon, Marie-France Dubreuil, Pascal Denis, Romain Haguenauer, Steffany Hanlen Patrice Lauzon, Marie-France Dubreuil, Pascal Denis, Romain Haguenauer, Steffany Hanlen Elena Novak, Jimmie Manners, Alexei Kiliakov

CHAMPIONSHIP LADIES

1 2 3 4

Mariah Bell Karen Chen Isabeau Levito Gabriella Izzo

Rafael Arutyunyan, Adam Rippon Tammy Gambill Yulia Kuznetsova, Vyacheslav Kuznetsov Aleksey Letov, Olga Ganicheva

CHAMPIONSHIP MEN

1 2 3 4

Nathan Chen Ilia Malinin Vincent Zhou Jason Brown

Rafael Arutyunyan Tatyana Malinina, Roman Skornyakov, Rafael Arutyunyan Tom Zakrajsek, Drew Meekins Tracy Wilson, Karen Preston

CHAMPIONSHIP PAIRS

1 2 3 4

Ashley Cain-Gribble / Timothy LeDuc Jessica Calalang / Brian Johnson Audrey Lu / Misha Mitrofanov Emily Chan / Spencer Howe

Peter Cain, Darlene Cain Todd Sand, Jenni Meno-Sand, Christine Fowler Binder Aleksey Letov, Olga Ganicheva Aleksey Letov, Olga Ganicheva

36

JUNIOR ICE DANCE

MARCH/APRIL 2022

Nathan Chen

Karen Chen

Ashley Cain-Gribble / Timothy LeDuc

Mariah Bell

National Development Camp Congratulations to the coaches whose athletes qualified for the National Development Camp.

The top performing juvenile, intermediate and novice athletes at the U.S. Sectional Finals qualified for the National Development Camp, which immediately followed the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

Athletes participated in a three-day educational training program to accelerate their exposure to High Performance Programs and Agata Czyzewski Alan Medina Aleksandr Nagorny Aleksey Letov Alena Lunin Alexandra Volpicelli Alexandra Zaretsky-Osborne Alexei Kiliakov Amanda Dobbs Amanda Will Amy Evidente Anastasia Cannuscio Andrey Mokhov Anna Baram Anne Goldberg-Baldwin Annette Blackwell Anton Nimenko Arlene McSorley Artem Torgashev Benjamin Agosto Benjamin Miller Reisman Brad Vigorito Bryna Oi Caylin Rudedenman Chris Obzansky Christine Binder Christopher Knierim

Christopher Pottenger Cindy Sullivan Darlene Cain Dawn Ponte-Jarvis Denae Raught Denise Myers Diana Miro Dmitriy Serebrenik Dmytri Ilin Dmytro Boyenko Ellie Kawamura Eric Millot Erin Berlanga Gabe Woodruff Garrett Lucash Greg Zuerlein Igor Lukanin Ikaika Young Inna Volyanskaya James Peterson Jeffrey Chang Jeffrey DiGregorio Jenni Meno-Sand Jennifer Lagomarsino Jim Peterson Jodie Balogh Tasich Joshua Fischel

Madison Hubbell/Zachary Donohue

Team USA. Coaches of these athletes were invited to participate in the Coaches' Track at the camp. The Coaches' Track curriculum was designed by PSA in collaboration with the U.S. Figure Skating High Performance Department with a goal of providing professional development at the high performance level of coaching. PSA congratulates these coaches for their attendance and for striving to reach their full potential.

Julia Lautowa Julianne Berlin Junichi Takemura Kalle Strid Kananililiaikapela Tanaka Karel Kovar Katarina Svrckova Katerina Tetzloff Kehaunani Malama Kelly Everett-Takemura Kendra Pottenger Kevin Coppola Kori Ade Kristen Fraser Leifur Gislason Maria Jezak-Athey Mary Beth Marley Mathew Gates Maxwell Gart Michael Bramante Michael Solonoski Mikael Olofsson Misha Ge Mojca Kopac-Tiernan Naomi Lang Naomi Nam Natalia Deller

Nina Petrenko Nocholas Buckland Oadolo Irowa Oksana Yakusheva Oleg Voyko Olga Ganicheva Pamela Gregory Peter Cain Phillip DiGuglielmo Robert Peal Rockne Brubaker Roland Burghart Roman Serov Roman Zaretsky Ronald Burghart Ruslan Goncharov Samantha Mohr Sandy Rucker Straub Sean Rabbitt Sergey Artemov Sergey Minaev Serhii Vaypan Serov Roman Shannon Owens Shannon Patton Huffman Shotaro Omori Silvia Fontana Zimmerman

Slava Uchitel Sofia Inthalaksa Stefania Berton Stephanie Chace Bass Stephanie Kuban Steven Cousins Steven Pottenger Svetlana Kulikova Tammy Gambill Tara Backer Tatiana Gladkova Theresa McKendry Thomas Hickey Thomas McKendry Tiffany Chin Tiffany McNeil Tiffany Vise Baldwin TJ Carey Todd Eldredge Todd Gilles Todd Sand Tom Hickey Tom Zakrajsek Tommy Steenberg Valeria Masarsky Viktor Pfeifer Yaroslav Merkepel PS MAGAZINE

37

P ROF ESSIONAL S K ATE R S F O U NDATIO N

Cheer on the competitors

Officers, Board Members and Trustees PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT TREASURER SECRETARY BOARD MEMBER

Paul Wylie Carol Rossignol Tim Covington Kelley Morris Adair Jill Maier-Collins TRUSTEE

Richard Dwyer Robbie Kaine Wayne Seybold Moira North Curtis McGraw Webster SKATERS' FUND – DONATION LEVELS:

• • • • •

Platinum Diamond Gold Silver Bronze

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Patrick O'Neil Carol Murphy Scott McCoy Gerry Lane

10,000+ 5,000+ 1,000+ 500+ 100+

Recognition opportunities for donors available The Professional Skaters Foundation (PSF) was founded to expand the educational opportunities of PSA members through a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, charitable foundation.

The PS Foundation recently joined the Smile Amazon Program. Amazon donates 0.5 of all eligible purchases to a charity that you designate on the Smile.amazon.com website. AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support the PS Foundation every time you shop, with no additional cost to you. Simply go to smile.amazon.com from your web browser, choose the PS Foundation as your designated charity, and use your existing amazon. com account with all the same settings! We all shop on Amazon today; please consider choosing the PS Foundation as your designated charity and start shopping on smile.amazon. com! Please spread the word to family and friends!

COMPETITOR REGISTRATION DEADLINE

April 10, 2022

Watch Skating = Help Coaches B Y P AT R I C K O ’ N E I L , P S F O U N D AT I O N P R E S I D E N T

W

e are excited to announce that the U.S. Open Professional Figure Skating Championships will be taking place as a virtual event again this year but with a fun, hybrid twist. Registration is now open with a deadline of Sunday, April 10, 2022. Live judging and awards presentaSPONSOR tion will take place in conjunction with the PSA Summit on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in the ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg, IL. Competitors who can join us live will be invited to sit on stage with the judges to hear their feedback, while those not in attendance will join us live, via Zoom. Appetizers will be served and there will be a cash bar for competitors and guests in attendance.

The Virtual U.S. Open Professional Figure Skating Championships will feature one event, consisting of men’s, ladies, pairs, dance, specialty act, and group and will be judged based on “total performance” with an eye to costuming, presentation, music selection, choreography, style, and technique. The event will be conducted under the rules and regulations set forth by the Professional Skaters Association.

The competition is open to all international performing and teaching professionals. Competitors must be at least 16 years of age by the registration deadline.

Registration must be completed online by 11:59pm CST on April 1, 2022. The Entryeeze online registration link is now available at 2022 Virtual U.S. Open Pro Figure Skating Championships Home (entryeeze.com) Registrations may be limited and will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. All video and music submissions will need to be uploaded by Sunday, May 1, 2022.

The PS Foundation encourages all participating competitors to actively seek a Champion level sponsor to cover their entry fee. Competitors may choose to seek a sponsorship from their club, rink or interclub association. All sponsors, including Champion sponsorships, will receive special recognition during the Live Premiere Event.

Additionally, the PS Foundation encourages all coaches to reach out to the clubs they are affiliated with and encourage the club to become a sponsor for the U.S. Open. All sponsorship donations will go to the Professional Skaters Foundation (PS Foundation) which is tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and you may claim that you did not receive any goods or services in consideration, in whole or part, for your contribution.

The Grand Champion Award plus a cash prize of $2,500, and three special awards plus a $1,000 cash prize each, will be presented to four winners at the completion of the event during the Virtual Awards Presentation. The Grand Champion will also have a performance opportunity with Ice Theatre of New York (ITNY).

For those of you whose competitive days are over, but are interested in watching the U.S. Open Championships, you can go to the PSA online store to register for the link. A registration fee of $10 will automatically enter you into a prize drawing and the event link will be sent May 24, the day of the event.

On behalf of the entire PS Foundation, we hope you will all join us for a terrific event!

A Community that Cares 38

MARCH/APRIL 2022

“She remembers being overwhelmed with both fear and happiness when she returned to the rink four months after the assault. ‘The first day I walked in, I was crying and I was laughing.’”

PS Foundation Helps Coaches in Need

Here’s Emma Baxter’s Story

BY PAT RICIA H AGE N It would be understandable if Emma Baxter never wanted to talk about October 23, 2020, ever again. That’s when a man attacked her in the parking lot of a skating rink, stabbing her 16 times, slamming her head on the pavement, and nearly choking her to death.

Baxter actually does want to talk about the random, early morning assault in Columbus, Ind. “I love to talk about it because I’m alive to do so.

“I saw the body cam video” taken by the police, she said.

“It was shocking. The hunting knife, it was huge. How did I escape that?”

The 35-year-old coach also wants to talk about her recovery and especially her gratitude. She’s thankful the police arrived in time to chase off the attacker and start first aid. She’s thankful for the emotional and financial

support of the skating community. “People were so kind. That pulled me through the hardest times,” she said.

To help with Baxter’s medical expenses, Lincoln Center Skate Club and a Columbus sporting goods store organized the “Emma Strong” fundraiser. "I was so grateful," she said, for a donation from the PS Foundation, which helped pay bills during the months she was unable to work.

PS Foundation president Patrick O'Neil said the organization is a resource for coaches, like Baxter, who are in great financial need due to illness or disability. "The foundation relies on people who love figure skating to donate. We're always seeking donations to continue to give back to the coaches and performing skaters in our community," he said. "We support each other."

In 2019, Baxter had restarted her coaching career in her home town after tours with Disney on Ice in Europe and the United States. Baxter often taught early morning lessons at the Columbus rink where she grew up skating with her mother, coach Katie Baxter.

That awful morning, she noticed an unfamiliar car in the dark, quiet parking lot. The driver confronted her and then slammed his car into hers. Baxter called her mother, who called 911.

Baxter also called 911 herself, screaming: “I need help.”

When the man pulled her from her car, the phone was still connected to 911. “He said, ‘I’m going to kill you.’ ” The attacker ran off when help arrived minutes later.

Police arrested him within hours at a nearby house as Baxter was taken by ambulance and helicopter to an Indianapolis trauma hospital. At first, because of a stab continued on page 41

PS MAGAZINE

39

BEST BUSINESS PRACTICES

WELCOME TO THE AXEL CLUB:

Permission to Post E

very coach likes to celebrate the efforts and milestones of an athlete’s development. Landing the first Axel is always a big one and applauded at every rink. With the excitement of capturing this on video, coaches post this significant accomplishment on social media without thinking through important practices that should be observed.

Individual and Parent Permission Before using someone’s likeness on a public site, you need that person’s permission. For people under the age of 18, a parent or guardian must grant the permission.

You should have the written consent, release, and/or permission of each identifiable individual person in the video to use the name or likeness of each identifiable individual person.

Written permission should include the individual’s name, the date, and a description of the permission (ex. can be for a specific use or for use in any manner throughout the world of all social media).

Permission is necessary for situations such as: • Video of a minor landing an Axel for the first time • Pictures of an athlete at competition • Photos of an athlete with test papers after passing a test • Minors in the background on a crowded session As a best practice, any social media posts should include a disclaimer regarding “parental permission to post”.

Copyright Owner Permission Most online videos use streaming technology and are considered “public performances.” These usually require obtaining two rights: a reproduction right and a public performance right. Consider the following situations and permission questions: • You take a video of new program choreography with the music playing — do you have rights to publish?

• You take a competition video from the stands — do you have owner permission, are you in compliance with music copyright laws?

Before posting, you should affirm and represent that you own or have the necessary licenses, rights, consents, and

40

MARCH/APRIL 2022

permissions to use and authorize the trademark, trade secret, copyright, or other proprietary rights in and to all user groups. For YouTube and music copyright information please visit the following resources: • https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2797466 • https://blog.songtrust.com/the-rights-of-a-song • https://copyrightalliance.org/faqs/what-rightscopyright-owners-have/

Educate Participants and Parents Let’s consider this scenario. A parent videotaped her daughter in a figure skating club ice show group number and posted it on the Internet. In the post, the parent tagged and thanked the choreographer for the beautiful number.

The skating club had permission to perform the pieces, but not to record or publish a recording. This is a copyright and ownership issue. The club now makes an official statement and announcement prior to every performance telling parents not to record the performance.

• Educate parents on the potential problems of taking and posting videos of skating performances at the beginning of and during the year.

• Get more than verbal permission to post, get it in writing and keep it in a file.

• Coaches should have individual consent to post when teaching private lessons.

• U.S. Figure Skating has excellent resources to help clubs navigate social media and forms such as Electronic Communication Policy and Name and Likeness Consent Agreement forms.

Please refer to U.S. Figure Skating’s SkateSafe Handbook for all rules, policies pertaining to athlete safety. Any violation of these rules could result in severe consequences.

In the end, if you are not sure you should post a video or picture, err on the side of caution and refrain from posting. There are hundreds of digital images being taken during skating competitions, shows, seminars, etc. every year and the digital images of these athletes will live on in perpetuity.

Keep plugging away with those Axels, but get permission before you post!

continued from page 39

Join the talented Disney On Ice team and find infinite opportunities to reach your potential as a performer.

Start your journey at DisneyOnIceAuditions.com

EXCELLENCE O N ICE Elite Skating

Hartland, WI

Iowa Figure Skating Academy Urbandale, IA

Kettle Moraine FSC West Bend, WI

Metro Ice Sport Facility Urbandale, IA

Onyx Suburban Skating Academy Rochester, MI

World Arena Ice Hall

Colorado Springs, CO

Register now and be recognized as a progressive training facility dedicated to excellence in coaching both on and off-ice.

Does your club or rink meet the two requirements?

wound to her chest, Baxter said, “they weren’t sure I was going to make it.”

This was during a pandemic surge, she recalled, and the hospital had to restrict visits from her anxious husband and family. After five days, she was happy to go home to recover.

“The doctors were shocked how quickly I healed,” she said, attributing her recovery to love and support from family and friends. “I knew I was going to be okay.”

The Columbus skating community also breathed a sigh of relief when the police determined the attack was not directed specifically at Baxter or the skating rink. The attacker was sentenced in December 2021 to 50 years in prison on an attempted murder charge, and for being a habitual offender.

As the case wound through the legal system, E XC E L L E N C E therapy helped Baxter deal with the emotional ON I C E and physical wounds.

She remembers being overwhelmed with both fear and happiness when she returned to the rink four months after the assault. “The first day I walked in, I was crying and I was laughing,” Baxter said. She pulled herself together because the club needed choreography for the spring ice show.

Now she feels “100 percent healthy.” The other day, she practiced Axels and double loops. “I do a lot of choreography for the kids. I can’t stand still. I keep going. It’s cold.”

“Now I drive over the crime scene every day,” she said. “I grew up there. I don’t let it bother me.”

The only outward reminder of the assault is a small scar on her face. “A dimple. I’m not a fan of it, but it’s better than death.”

“I want to thank the entire skating community around the world,” she said. “They changed my life.”

PS MAGAZINE

41

NEW MEMBERS

42

We lc coac ome hes!

NEW MEMBER

SPONSOR

NEW MEMBER

SPONSOR

Brooke Barrett

Robyn Petroskey

Hannah Pulley

Emily Hughes

Julia Bennett

Megan Sienicki

Rene Rhodes

Pam Mascetta

Courtney Bessell

Robyn Petroskey

Anastasiia Simavskaia

Olga Volozhinskaya

Austin Blake

Adam Blake

Cassandra Smith

Denise Viera

Annabella Brooks

Lori Cervinka

Stephanie Smith-Velez

Meegan McDonald

Michael Chapa

Kathy Goeke

Grace Solie

Kyla Jewell

Ashley Couture

Olga Volozhinskaya

Gracelyn Thomas

Heidi Hartley

Akane Eguchi

Olga Ganicheva

Sierra Venetta

Christine Krall

Elizabeth Garrett

Robert Theroux

Sakshi Wagh

Julie Patterson

Gabriela Godin

Robert Kane

Juliana Workman

Roxanne Tyler

Jen Gondelman

Ronna Gladstone

Weipeng Xie

Jimmie Santee

Chad Hawse

Janelle Craft

Sonja Hilmer

Drew Meekins

Alethea Honomichi

Toni Miller

Jennifer Hren

Jimmie Santee

Reilyn Intemann

Anita Saxena

Chelsea Joynes

Lisa Ware

Jan Kirkley

Tatiana Kozmava

Beau Leaf

Elizabeth Mullins

Kelly Mathieu

Lisa Ware

Jillian Miller

Chelsea Winter

Scott Moir

Jimmie Santee

Ayane Nakamura

Sergey Sidorov

Rhea Nelson

Karen Christensen

Leah Neset

Cheri Neset

Joelle Oelke

Jimmie Santee

Kathryn Palmer

Cheryl Faust

Cary Peskin

Gerry Lane

Kaylan Pietrogallo

Tim Covington

Jacqueline Povitsky

Ritsa Gariti

E Christina Powell

Amy Fankhauser

MARCH/APRIL 2022

Do you know coaches who are new to the profession?

Help them get a head start on their coaching career, and encourage them to join PSA! skatepsa.com/membership

2022 ISI Northeast Championships May 13-15 Ice & Blades Figure Skating Team Alpha Ice Complex Pittsburgh, PA Test & Entry Deadline: March 25

Ranking System

Knowing what it takes to be the best is one thing... getting there is another matter.

The Professional Skaters Association’s Ranking System is recognized world-wide and is directed toward the career accomplishments of PSA coaches based on the performance of their skaters/teams. Discipline-specific rankings are recognized as a lifetime achievement by the entire skating community.

For more information and to see if you qualify, visit

www.skatepsa.com

PS MAGAZINE

43

CALENDAR of E V E N T S

MARCH Date Event Location Credits Deadline

JUNE March 15, 2022 U.S. Figure Skating Governing Council 2022 Requests for Action Virtual webinar 1 PSA Credit March 15, 2022

Location Credits Deadline

Date Event

March 20, 2022 PSA Virtual Ratings All Levels for Free Skating and Moves in the Field Disciplines Credits 1 per exam Lottery Opens January 10, 2022

Date Event

APRIL

JULY

Date Event Location Credits Deadline

April 7, 2022 PSA Hockey Power and Edges Webinar Virtual webinar 1 PSA Credit April 7, 2022

Date Event

April 10, 2022 PSA Virtual Ratings Registered and Certified Levels for All Disciplines Credits 1 per exam Lottery Opens January 31, 2022

MAY Date Event

44

Dates Event

Credits Deadline

May 24, 2022 PSA Summit Ratings – Senior and Master Levels All Disciplines, Registered Theatre on Ice Location Hyatt Regency Schaumburg- Chicago 1 per exam March 15, 2022

Date Event Location Deadline

May 24, 2022 U.S. Open Professional Figure Skating Championships Virtual May 18, 2022

Dates Event Location Credits Deadline

May 25-27, 2022 PSA Summit (In-Person/Livestream/On-Demand) Chicago, IL 21 PSA credits April 15, 2022

MARCH/APRIL 2022

June 21-25 (exact date TBD) PSA Ratings – Registered and Certified Levels for Theatre on Ice Wichita, KS 1 per exam April 30, 2022

June 27, 2022 PSA Virtual Ratings All Levels for Free Skating, Moves in the Field, and Group Disciplines Credits 1 per exam Lottery Opens April 11, 2022

Date Event

July 25, 2022 PSA Virtual Ratings All Levels for Dance, Pairs, Choreography, and Program Director Disciplines Credits 1 per exam Lottery Opens May 16, 2022

AUGUST Date Event

August 22, 2022 PSA Virtual Ratings All Levels for Free Skating, Moves in the Field, Group, and TOI Disciplines Credits 1 per exam Lottery Opens June 20, 2022

Please visit www.skatepsa.com for the most current Calendar of Events

OBITUARY

In Memory of James T. Stephens and Dorothy A. Stephens Jim grew up in Vancouver, BC., Canada and took a job as a teenager at the Forum on the Pacific National Exhibition fairgrounds where his boss put him on ice skates and sent him out on the ice to see how he did.

He managed to stay up and so his boss put him in the club show that year as a comedy act. Jim went on to become a two-time Junior Men’s Northwest Champion in the 30’s.

Dorothy started skating on the frozen ponds around the Montreal area when her brothers needed another player for their hockey game. She went on to pursue figure skating and from 1943–1945 she traveled the U.S. coast-to-coast with Ice Capades. She met Jim during a break from the show while he was stationed in the Royal Canadian Air Force during WWII. After he finished his service and she finished her Ice Capades tour, they accepted teaching positions in Edmonton, Alberta for one winter on an outdoor rink with just a warming hut. That was too cold and so they went south and taught in Tacoma, WA, Portland, OR, Seattle, WA, and then opened Highland Ice Arena in

North Seattle in 1962.

They trained many fine skaters— some of whom went into the ice shows, some taught, and some did both. When the Professional Skaters Guild of America (now known as PSA) began doing rating exams, they were grandfathered in as master-rated coaches and served on many rating panels in the early years of the program.

Jim was instrumental in helping to grow the Ice Sports Industry (ISI), then known as the Ice Skating Institute of America, from its founding seat of Chicago to the Western states. He served on the ISI Board of Directors for many years and, along with Dorothy, initiated the use of the ISI learn-to-skate program. Highland Ice Arena was one of three rinks to host the first ISI national event in Washington.

He was inducted into the U.S. Curling Hall of Fame in 1997 for his many contributions to curling over the decades as a player, volunteer, Head Referee, and Referee trainer.

David Shulman PSA is deeply saddened to share that David Shulman passed away— surrounded by family—on February 11. David was a member of PSA for over 60 years, served as PSA President from 1974-1977, and was PSA’s general counsel for over 30 years. He achieved master ratings in figures, free skating, and pairs. David volunteered countless hours, eagerly served as a rating examiner, and was inducted into the PSA Hall of Fame in 2010. David was an instrumental part of PSA’s history, becoming a friend and mentor to all within the PSA community. David’s blend of dynamic leadership and personable integrity brought out the best in all of us and helped shape PSA into the organization it is today. We will forever miss you, David, and hold your name and legacy in the greatest of honor. Our thoughts go out to Carole and family during this time.

Find our amazing educational content with improved functionality at PSA TV. free content | videos for purchase | subscription

PS MAGAZINE

45

A PUBLICATION OF THE PROFESSIONAL SKATERS ASSOCIATION

3006 Allegro Park Lane SW Rochester, MN 55902

202 2 S UMMIT

May 25–27

x

Chica go Join us in Chicago to reflect on where we've been and map out the path ahead.

There will be hugging, laughing, learning, sharing... crying?

y e n r u Jo It's been a rough road; we won't judge.

We'll bring the tissues and hugs!

enjoy the city and all it has to offer.

More information at skatepsa.com/summit