May June 2012 PS Magazine by Professional Skaters Association

MAY/JUNE

2012

www.skatepsa.com

2012 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships

Worcester, Massachusetts

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COVER PHOTO Members of the senior team California Gold from All Year Figure Skating Club execute a lift at the 2012 U. S. Synchronized Skating Championships in Worcester, Massachusetts

COLUMNS Over the Edge | Jimmie Santee Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Message | Angie Riviello-Steffano

coming! The coaches are coming!

New ! column

Ratings Exams Passed Excellence On Ice Great Tips New Members Job Placements/Notices PSA Calendar of Events

2012 ~ No 3 #ISSN-574770

Conference: The coaches are

Legal Ease | David Shulman

MAY | JUNE

| by Elizabeth Peschges

20 2012 Boston PSA

Sport Science | Heidi Thibert

9 36 38 44 45 46

PSA Membership

| by Dorothi Cassini & Thomas Amon

IJS | Libby Scanlan

Rink Safety | Jimmie Santee

16 Workshop & Seminar Review

Ratings | Kris Shakarjian

Education | Carol Rossignol

FEATURES

24 2012 Honor Roll of

Synchronized Skating Coaches

27 2012 U.S. Synchronized Skating Campionships

| by Elizabeth Peschges

30 Sheldon Galbraith | by Terri Milner Tarquini

34 American Skating World | by Kent McDill

Take note...

KEEP UP WITH THE PSA... Professional Skaters Association(PSA) @ProfSk8rsAssoc New PSA e-newsletter

Over the Edge

PSA OFFICERS President First Vice President Second Vice President Third Vice President Treasurer Past President

JIMMIE SANTEE

PSA BOARD OF GOVERNORS West

few weeks ago, an e-mail was forwarded through several people, finally making its way to me. The message stated: I have become aware of several coaches in our area who are flying “under the radar” in regards to the membership, insurance, background check and etc. Looks like it involves the type of coach who justifies it by saying, “I only teach a few hours per week and therefore it doesn’t really apply to me.” They have been seen coaching at recent test sessions, and are also signing up students for local Basic Skills competitions. Nobody wants to be the bad guy in this situation. The Clubs feel that it is up to the rink management/skating director, and vice versa… Amazingly, while 5,104 coaches can follow the rules, it continues to astonish me that some coaches do, in fact, believe they can fly under the radar. As one of the 5,104 compliant coaches, it upsets me to no end that some coaches believe the rules don’t apply to them. When I was a performer with Disney I was told by an experienced soloist that it didn’t matter whether there were 10 people in the audience or 10,000…they all paid the same for a ticket. Every person who spent their hard earned money to “We owe it to our watch me skate deserved the most I could give… skaters to be the every time! It’s no different as a coach. We owe very best we can be it to our skaters to be the very best we can be regardless of how much or what level we teach. regardless of how The rule that was passed by U.S. Figure Skating much or what level we should not be considered a punishment. It’s an teach. The rule that attempt to provide our skaters with the most educated professionals. was passed by U.S. I recently witnessed this phenomenon Figure Skating should first hand. My wife, Jamie, and I are co-chairs not be considered a for our local club competition. One month prior to the competition, we verified the punishment. It’s an compliancy of the 89 coaches attending our attempt to provide our competition. Of those coaches, seven were skaters with the most not compliant. We sent out e-mails to those coaches and all seven responded. While six educated professionals.” either became compliant or were compliant under a married name, the seventh coach did not make an effort to become compliant. Over the course of four weeks, the non-compliant coach received seven different e-mails and responded to five. Each of our messages reiterated the requirements set forth by U.S. Figure Skating. As you can probably guess, the coach showed up anyway, arguing with multiple volunteers and finally the chief referee. In her opinion, since she had been at multiple test sessions and competitions that did not check for credentials, why should she need them here? So we became the bad guys. Following the competition, we sent a thank you to all the coaches and her response was: To whom it may concern, My skater and I did NOT have a good experience. This was due to a misunderstanding with CER certification for myself that was poorly

MAY | JUNE 2012

East

Doug Ladret Todd Sand Dorothi Cassini Patrick O’Neil Denise Williamson Rebecca Stump Alex Chang Paul Wylie Jackie Brenner Kris Shakarjian Glyn Jones Brittany Bottoms

PSA

Under the Radar

Mid-West

Angela Riviello-Steffano Scott Brown Christine Fowler-Binder Dorothi Cassini Carol Murphy Kelley Morris Adair

Members at Large

ISI Rep to PSA U.S. Figure Skating Rep to PSA Executive Director Legal Counsel

COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN Awards Coaches Hall of Fame Education Seminars State Workshops Apprentice, Intern Area Representatives Hockey Accreditation PS Magazine Sport Science Endorsements Executive Executive Nominating Finance Fundraising ISU/ IJS Ethics and Legal Nominating Professional Standards PSA Rep to ISI Ranking Review Ratings Special Olympics U.S. Figure Skating Coaches

PSA AREA REPRESENTATIVES Area 1 Area 2 Area 3 Area 4 Area 5 Area 6 Area 7 Area 8 Area 9 Area 10 Area 11 Area 12 Area 13 Area 14 Area 15 Area 16 Area 17

Jimmie Santee David Shulman

Denise Williamson Kelley Morris Adair Christine Fowler-Binder Thomas Amon Dorothi Cassini Rebecca Stump Marylill Elbe Paul Paprocki Bob Mock Heidi Thibert Jamie Santee Angela Riviello-Steffano Kelley Morris Adair Carol Murphy Larry LaBorde David Santee David Shulman Kelley Morris Adair Lynn Benson Gerry Lane Brandon Forsyth Kris Shakarjian Eleanor Fraser-Taylor Alex Chang

Amy Hanson-Kuleszka Anne Marie Filosa Lee Cabell Stacie Kuglin Gloria Leous Mary Lin Kent Johnson Patrick O'Neil Jennifer Cashen Thomas Amon Dan Mancera Andrea Kunz-Williamson Tracey Seliga-O’Brien Leslie Deason Michele Miranda Phaler Karen Howland Jones Nancy Garcia

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, 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. 507.281.5122, Fax 507.281.5491, Email: office@skatepsa.com © 2004 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. ISSN-574770. Second-class Postage Paid at Rochester, MN 55901 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER send address changes to The Professional Skater, 3006 Allegro Park SW, Rochester, MN 55902. Printed in the USA.

handled at two different times by two different people involved with your club. Both times were in front of the skater while she was preparing to test and compete. No apology was given to the skater or myself once the misunderstanding had been cleared. I have already voiced my concerns with the USFSA (sic) and I know the parent of the skater intends to do the same. We will not be returning to test or compete at your skating club, nor will we recommend testing or competing to other skaters and coaches from our club. First of all, thank you, please don’t come back. Secondly, there was no misunderstanding…we communicated with her what she needed to do to be compliant seven times over four weeks! How could she be surprised when approached at the test session and competition about being non-compliant? This coach, who is not currently a member of PSA, was issued an Ethics Violation for Non-Compliance of Coaching Requirements from both PSA and U.S. Figure Skating. Regarding an apology, if anyone should be giving an apology, it should be the coach to her student for creating a situation that she had every opportunity to prevent. Unbelievably and what really strikes me as funny is that she had one skater there and guess what? The skater…was Category B compliant! How embarrassing is that?! I wish this was an isolated occurrence, but it’s not. While “under the radar coaches” exist, they continue to exist because there are clubs that just don’t put forth the effort to enforce. While PSA is reviewing the coaching lists of as many compe-

titions as we can, we need your help. All coaches can help change the culture and attitude about continuing education, a standard in many professions. The reality is that it is both an honor and privilege to coach at a U.S. Figure Skating event, not a right.

TRIVIA The “Katarina Rule,” established after the 1988 Olympics, is about what? A. No voices in the free program music B. Costumes must have skirts and no excess decorations C. Interviews are not allowed until the entire competition is over and everyone has finished skating. Answer on pg. 19

FRANK AND EVAN LYSACEK FRANKCARROLL, CARROLL,OTHER OTHERWORLD WORLDTEAM TEAMCOACHES COACHES ANDOLYMPIC WORLD CHAMPION CHAMPION E VAN L YSACEK KNOW LEGAL CONCERNS. DO YOU? EGAL ISSUES ISSUES AND AND C ONCERNS. D O YOU ? KNOW WHO WHO TO TO CALL CALL WITH WITH L

619.232.2424 or 619.572.9984

Jonathan Geen Attorney at Law Partner, Borton Petrini, LLP Over 20 years of legal experience National Judge in Singles / Pairs Former Skater http://bortonpetrini.com/bio/geen_se.pdf Coaching Agreements Rink / Coach Agreements Dispute Resolution / Grievance Counseling

Agent Agreements Show / Entertainment Contracts General Business Law and Trademark / Copyright

PS MAGAZINE

President’s Message ANGIE RIVIELLO-STEFFANO

Where We Stand A

s we all know the economy and the skating industry have taken quite a beating in the past few years. We have all had to step back, re-evaluate, and prioritize what we do and how we do it. The PSA Board of Governors have tried hard to be pro-active, not reactive. In strategic planning meetings, board meetings, and committee meetings, we are all very aware of the financial impact coaches all over have experienced and discuss how the PSA can continue to grow the sport. We monitor our finances to ensure that we continue to stay strong and have the revenue available to offer the cutting edge educational programs that we do. I have asked our Treasurer, Carol Murphy, to write a brief article on PSA’s financial status and to provide an outline of our education and accreditation revenue and expenditures. I’m pleased to inform you the PSA is thriving and very strong. We continue to research ways to grow our organization and service our members in the best way possible. Treasurer’s Report | Carol Scherer Murphy The PSA has grown very rapidly over the past few years. The PSA’s purpose is to provide continuing education and accreditation to our members. We continually strive to improve the quality of our educational products and services and to expand the services that we provide. In years past, the financial statements were prepared in the office and this did not change until the organization really started to grow and flourish. In 2006, I was asked by Robbie Kaine (PSA President at the time) if I would be interested in volunteering as treasurer of the PSA given my background as a CPA and figure skater – and of course I could not refuse. For many years the PSA was able to operate with just a part time bookkeeper. As our organization grew, it became

As you can see from this chart, almost all conference fees collected are fully utilized to deliver the program to our members, with the PSA profiting very little. For our rating sites last year, it actually cost us more money to offer this service than we collected in revenues.

MAY | JUNE 2012

apparent that we needed a full time accountant. In April 2010, we hired Donna Wells as our new staff accountant. The finance committee, along with Donna, Jimmie, and the executive committee, have worked hard to improve our financial reporting systems and our internal accounting controls. What is accounting? Accounting is the art of measuring, communicating, and interpreting financial activity. Whether you are preparing a household budget or balancing your checkbook, or running General Electric, you are working with accounting concepts and information. It is the language of business. It is essential that an organization understand whether or not it is profitable or where its money is being spent. We are a non-profit organization, so we are not focused on ‘profitability’ but rather on utilizing our revenues – mostly membership dues and conference fees – to deliver education and accreditation to our members. Over the past five years, the Finance Committee has implemented many initiatives and policies including developing a formal investment policy, ensuring that a detailed budget is prepared every year, and that monthly financial statements are issued and compared to a budget. An adequate accounting system must also have checks and balances. Part of those checks and balances are account reconciliations, which are prepared monthly by Donna and posted for review by the treasurer and finance committee. These are essential to ensure the accuracy of the accounting system. Many of you may not be aware that as a corporate entity, it is also required that a CPA firm audits our financial statements. Our statements are audited every year and a formal report is issued to the Board of Governors. At the end of our fiscal year ending June 30, 2011, the

$500,000

1,92

$ 39

$400,000

5 6 7,05 162,94

$ 16

4 $ 26

9 0 ,70 47,04 $

$100,000 $0

,22

$300,000 $200,000

continued on page 9

$ 36 Conference Fees

Education

Ratings

2011 Revenue 2011 Expense

Over d 5000 sol ! e worldwid

Created by David Lipetz, Off-Ice Specialist and Physical Therapist

Ratings KRIS SHAKARJIAN

Pair Skating Instructor Rating Exams By Doug Ladret, MP, MFS

ust over two years ago, I was asked if I would be in charge of the Pair Skating Instructor Rating Committee. There was one prerequisite though, and that was to be a master-rated Pair Skating Instructor. Luckily, I was not. I say “luckily” because I spent the next two months studying and taking the certified, senior and master exams, which ended up being the best research and education I could have had in learning what was needed. For the most part, these were solid exams covering all aspects of coaching pair skating; however, I was able to see firsthand where we needed to update, modify, and even omit questions. What did I learn in my journey through Pair Skating Instructor ratings and what did I need to improve? • As we all know, the introduction of IJS has changed our world and even changed our vernacular. We no longer have footwork, but instead have step sequences. Pair lifts are no longer referred to as double Lutz, or triple lasso, but instead we talk to our skaters about what features can we get on the Lutz lift, or the level 4 lasso. Then to go one step further, the Planned Program Content form has us listing Group 1 through Group 5A lifts, never once referring to them by their previous names. With these types of changes in our every day training, I needed to ensure we were no longer using outdated terms in the exams. • IJS questions were needed. Jeff DeGregorio had graciously developed questions on the higher level exams from which I was able to follow through with questions for all levels of exams. This is now a subsection of General/Rules and Standards. • Rule changes affect the exams. Especially with IJS, it seems we are tossed about every year with rule changes. I know of at least one candidate who had

MAY | JUNE 2012

been recently asked to list the elements for the preliminary pair test. That test had been stricken from the U.S. Figure Skating rulebook at least three years earlier; but unfortunately, not from the Examiner Guide. The question threw the candidate for a loop and almost derailed her exam. Our exams are not meant to fluster or fool the candidate, but instead help us see the wonderful knowledge that the coach may have. This has been addressed in our exams as we strive to be as up-to-date as possible. • The last item on my list was to ensure the questions were relevant and made sense to candidates. Prior to last year’s conference, I decided my first task was to sequester all examiner guides and produce one new and up-to-date guide. After scouring through these guides, I edited, revised and combined the best of the different editions. I added new relevant topics and information and produced our 2011 Pairs Instructor Rating exams. Our office staff then updated the study guides to reflect the necessary changes. Both the 2011 Ratings Guide to Sample Questions and the Examiner Guides for Pair Instructor Ratings were ready in time for our exams prior to the Dallas Conference. What’s next? Well, I am combing through the 2011 Ratings Guide to Sample Questions to see where more improvements can be made and see if any ISU changes require us to modify our exams once again. I am hoping to have this ready for our next crop of coaches in their quest to become master-rated pair instructor coaches with PSA. See you in Boston!

Recently Passed

RATING EXAMS Congratulations to the following coaches who passed the Basic Accreditation (BA) and ELCC:

Congratulations to the following coaches who successfully completed the requirements for a Rating Certificate:

E-Learning | BA Exams

Burbank, CA | February 27-28, 2012

Lynn Babcock Janice Benoit Gabrielle Brewer Jonathan Cassar Catalina Gonzalez Lily Jaffie-Shupe Cambria Jones Jessica Kincade

Kendall LeClaire Valeria Masarsky Morgan Matthews Samantha Mohr Ouida Robins Barbi Smith Farmer Alexa-Rai Vanderbeek April Zak

Jonathan Cassar RFS Tim Covington CM Lexie Fernandez CG Carole Fortini CM Katy Hewitt CFS Tom Hickey SPD Christopher Kinser CM Janelle Klenzing RG, CG Lauren Levin CFS Wendi Lewis CFS

Ratings Update and Reminders • New Sport Science and Medicine exams (registered, certified, senior and master) are available online. The new manual, Coach’s Guide to Figure Skating Sport Science and Medicine, is ready for purchase through the online store or by calling the office at 507-281-5122. • There will be new Group Instructor exams at all levels starting at conference.

Alyn Libman RFS Eric Millot RFS John Mucko SC Nancy Pluta RFS, CFS Sara Robertson RC, RFS Ouida Robins RFS Erika Shorr RFS Darlene Sparks RG, SPD Janae Thomason RM Karen Tornquist CM

• Trial Examiner Training will be offered at conference for anyone interested in becoming a rating examiner. • Oral Free Dance exams will now start with a Registered Free Dance exam. • The Registered Free Skating oral exam will have a video analysis category starting at conference.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE continued from page 6

PSA had just over $3M in assets and only $673,000 in debt. Our debt ratio (total liabilities divided by total assets) was 22% at the end of June 2011, which is very, very low. This highlights that our assets are funded with very little borrowed money and mostly from equity. One of our strengths is we own our building in Rochester, Minnesota, and this is one of the main reasons that our balance sheet is so strong. This enables us to utilize our revenues to deliver quality educational programs to our members rather than using some of those funds to pay interest on a mortgage. It is interesting to look at our various programs and compare the revenues that we collect to the cost of delivering those programs to you, our members. Last year, we were running about break even to deliver our PACE program while our seminars again cost us more money to deliver than we collected. Our debt ratio at the end of January 2012 was 11%. Wow! The PSA continues to work hard to safeguard its assets, maximize the return on our investments, and deliver quality educational and accreditation programs to you within the constraints of our revenues. Over the past several years, the PSA has strived not to increase membership dues and other fees as the economy has struggled and this has had an impact on our industry. However, just like other organizations, we

too have seen increases in many of our expenses and have been fortunate that we have been able to absorb those costs. We are proud of our financial strength and look forward to serving you in the future. I hope to see everyone at conference in Boston! If you are interested in seeing a detailed account of our financials, please attend the PSA Membership Meeting during conference.

2011 Revenue

$110,000 $90,000

1 ,84 4,851 $5

$70,000

$ 47

$50,000 $30,000 $10,000

2011 Expense

6 ,49 58 ,9 $ 11

$ 13

0 $ 84 $ 0 Entry Level Course

PACE

00 11 $ 1,3

$ 3,0 Seminar

Workshops

The chart analyzes our various educational programs. PS MAGAZINE

IJS Insights LIBBY SCANLAN

Program Components: An Overview

Skating Skills Transitions, Performance/ Execution,Choreography, Interpretation M

astery of the program components serve to enhance a skater’s athletic prowess by setting a series of athletic feats to a musical composition. The common denominator of all five of the Program Components is MOVEMENT. The skater must strive to blend all movement between technical elements in a creative, intelligent, purposeful manner. Each judge evaluates the whole performance by individually awarding a score for each component on a scale of .25 to 10, with increments of .25. Understanding the specific characteristics and criteria evaluated in each of the five components is critical if a skater is to improve the program component score. SKATING SKILLS: Balance How strong and balanced are your foundational skills?? When assessing the skating skills of a skater, judges observe the overall quality, edge control, and flow over the ice. A command of the fundamental skating vocabulary (edges, steps, turns, etc.) performed on clean, controlled curves and edges must be apparent. The skater should demonstrate clarity of technique and efficient use of lean creating a steady run to the blade. Deep, fluid knee action resulting in elegant and precise steps and turns is rewarded. Good balance is attained through coordinated development and control that translates to quality of movement. The very name ‘Skating Skills’ speaks for itself! How well do you skate in ALL directions: forward, backward, clockwise and counterclockwise, including rotation in both directions? Is there a minimal amount of skating being done on two feet? Attention is focused on the dexterity of weight movement from foot to foot resulting in exceptionally strong skating skills. The skater should display effortless power to accelerate and vary speed throughout the program. The main thing is the quality of the basic skating. If it’s poor, then everything else is of little importance.

MAY | JUNE 2012

In pair skating and ice dancing, technique must be mastered equally by both partners. In synchronized skating, ALL skaters must show mastery of skating skills and it must be shown in unison. TRANSITIONS: Connection How varied and intricately do you connect the elements? Transitions are the varied footwork, positions, movements, and holds that connect all the technical elements in a program, including the entrances and exits of the elements. When determining the difficulty of variety in the transitions, the judges note the different parts of the body taxing the body’s core involvement while generating more movement. Intricacy is a series of many different kinds of movements taking more time and space, even if in personal space, which uses more phrasing of the music while seamlessly threading the elements together. Complexity is the term used for synchronized skating instead of intricacy. In synchronized skating, there should be seamless movement with little, if any, regrouping. There should be a quality of movement apparent throughout. Transitions are rewarded for the difficult, intriguing, varied network of edges, steps, turns, and holds, as well as creative patterns and lobes covering the entire ice surface. A minimal use of crossovers should be used. Quality transitional movement is manifested through the intellectual (mind), physical (body), and emotional (soul) involvement of the skater as dictated by the music. PERFORMANCE / EXECUTION: Delivery Does the skater deliver the goods and project to the audience? When performing a program, the skater must demonstrate a physical commitment that is emotionally sincere. There must be an intellectual involvement displaying a comprehensive understanding of the music as they trans-

late the intent of the music and choreography. The quality of movement and precise delivery must be evident in the execution of the program. Does the skater successfully deliver this committed, emotional, intellectual, sincere involvement? Does the skater radiate energy resulting in an invisible connection with the entire audience? Proper carriage of the body is important when working on the performance/execution of the program. Carriage is a trained inner strength of the body that facilitates an ease of movement from the center of the body. The use of refined body line and clear precise movement inspired by the music allows for the skater’s individual style, artistry and personality to be appreciated and rewarded. This alignment allows for fluid change from one movement to the next. The performance should include a variety of tempo, rhythm, movement shapes, angles and body parts, as well as the use of contrast. In pair skating, ice dancing, and synchronized skating, each member must contribute equally in the performance toward achieving the performance/execution criteria. There should be a spatial awareness between skaters throughout the program. Visual unison must be apparent by using the same techniques in edges, jumping, spinning, line, and style. The skaters must move alike in their strokes, and movement of limbs and heads must show an equal workload in speed and power. Synchronized skating teams must sell the composition with good execution and clear delivery. CHOREOGRAPHY / COMPOSITION: Design Does the skater communicate an original, purposeful idea? Choreography is an intentional, developed, and/or original arrangement of all movements according to the principles of proportion, unity, space, pattern, structure, and phrasing. Skaters must have an idea, a concept, a vision, or a mood giving purpose to the composition of the program. The original, individual perspective of movement and vision as inspired by the music is rewarded. The pattern must be set in a structure converting the musical phrasing into a design and dimension of movement phrasing. A phrase is a unit of movement marked by an impulse of energy that grows, builds, concludes, and then flows easily into the next movement phrase. The movement phrases should utilize an interesting and meaningful variety of patterns and directions of travel. Skaters should strive to use a full range of body movement in such a way that they communicate the intended design. There must be equal proportion given to each section of the program achieving the aesthetic pursuit of the composition. The structure and pattern of the composition should display a purposeful threading of all the movements motivated by the music. An underlying vision or symbolic meaning should unify the entire composition, creating a picture on the canvas of ice. In pair skating, ice dancing and synchronized skating,

each skater shares equal roles in achieving this aesthetic pursuit of the composition with equal steps, movements, and a sense of purpose unifying the composition. INTERPRETATION: Feel Does the skater feel and skate to the music? Interpretation is the feeling generated in a program motivated by the soul of the performer and the structure of the music. It is both a personal and creative translation of the music to movement on ice. Interpretation measures the skater’s ability to illuminate the music while displaying continuous, effortless flow and movement across the ice. Using total body involvement and skating technique the skater illustrates a mood, style, shape or thematic idea. The expressive movement must use finesse to reflect the nuances of the music. Finesse is the skater’s refined, artful manipulation of nuance. Nuance is the personal, artistic ways of bringing subtle variation to the intensity, tempo, and dynamics of the music. Does the skater use this varied tempi and speed in a variety of ways when these changes occur? Is the crescendo ended with movement that finishes the musical idea? If there is no movement, there is no interpretation. Interpretation is recognized and rewarded when the skater shows the ability to use the music in a variety of ways along with the subtle use of finesse to create a mastery of interpretation. In pair skating, ice dancing and synchronized skating, there must be a relationship between skaters reflecting the character of the music. Interpretative unison is an equal partnership with the same degree of sensitivity between the skaters and the music’s nuances. There should be an intimacy between the skaters characterized by a feeling of surrender to the music transforming the performance into a shared entity greater than the skaters. Each of the components emphasizes separate and distinctive characteristics and criteria, however a blending and interplay between all five of the components is critical and must be exhibited throughout the movement in the program. To enhance the Program Component Score, the skater must exhibit strong fundamental skating skills, astute body awareness, and a deep, intellectual comprehension of the musical composition resonating in the execution of the total program. So what is the end result? Amazing athletic feats aesthetically set to music, defining and elevating the unique sport of figure skating.

Does the skater successfully deliver this committed, emotional, intellectual, sincere involvement? Does the skater radiate energy resulting in an invisible connection with the entire audience?

PS MAGAZINE

Time to renew! Time to renew! Time to renew! Time to renew! Time to renew!

It’s renewal time!

Membership renewals due on July 1!

Make the most of your

PSA membership By Elizabeth Peschges | PSA Membership Coordinator Are you making the most of your PSA membership? Is the membership you currently have the best fit for you? As the Membership Services Coordinator, most of my contact with our members is responding to questions on the phone or through e-mail. Now that the membership renewals are coming up, I want to help answer the most common questions I get from our members. One of the prominent areas of confusion centers on membership types—what is the difference between the types, how can I change my membership type, what are the benefits of each membership type, etc. My hope is that by the end of this article you will fully understand your PSA membership and how to make the most of it. Each membership type is designed to meet the various needs of our members. I have included a chart on the next page to help you navigate the requirements and benefits of each membership type. Other benefits of all PSA memberships include access to health insurance, retirement plans, ISU communication updates, and regular updates from your Area Representative. Keep in mind that membership renewals are not

MAY | JUNE 2012

pro-rated, so be sure to renew by July 1 every year to get the best use of your membership and avoid compliance issues at regionals. The preferred method of renewal is online- your renewal is valid immediately and your membership card will be sent quickly. Now that you know the characteristics of each membership type and the benefits, let’s talk about changing your membership type. It is important to evaluate your PSA membership to make sure you are in the right category for you. It is useful and productive to change your membership as your coaching career changes. Let’s say Coach Dorothy Poodles has turned 18 and her membership needs to be renewed. She was an Intern last year, and now needs to be either Associate or Full. She decides that she has a goal of passing the Basic Accreditation in the next year, but she does not want to do any other ratings until she gets more coaching experience. So Dorothy renews as an Associate; however, the next year she feels confident that she has time to study and take the written Sport Science and Medicine exams, with the hope that she will take her first oral exam in the next few years. So this time she renews as a Full member, and continues to do

so for the next 30 years so she can attain and advertise more ratings. After 30 years, Dorothy decides to retire, but she wants to stay involved with the local club and be able to substitute coach, and keeping her ratings active is no longer necessary. She renews as an Associate and her ratings go inactive- she does not lose her ratings, they just go inactive. After a few years of being retired, Dorothy chooses to stop teaching lessons and start pursuing judging. She renews her membership as a Patron to stay connected with the organization, and continues to be a Patron member until she retires from judging, at which time she does not renew and lets her membership lapse. This situation is just one example. Use the chart to see if your membership category is the best fit for you. I know that navigating the PSA membership structure can be confusing, but I am here to help. If you ever have questions about your membership, do not hesitate to contact me. I am here for YOU! For membership questions or help logging in to your PSA membership account, please call our office at 507-281-5122 or e-mail epeschges@skatepsa.com

Membership Type

R an ece d ive In P th S M eL a oo ga M p zi ne ed em uc be at r p io ri na ci l e ng Ab ve fo lia le nt r bi to lit pu s y i rc ns ha ur se Ca an Ac n ce a cr tt ed ai ita n a tio nd Ca n ad (B v ra n A) er a tin t t EL tise gs ai CC B be n a yo nd ra asic Vo nd a tin tin BA dve g g r , E tis rig LC e ht C s Re ne wa lf ee

Time to renew! Time to renew! Time to renew! Time to renew! Time to renew! Time to renew! Time to renew!

Basic • 16 years or older • teaching group classes only

$25

Patron (or Patron Family) • 18 or older

(judge, retired coach, parent, etc.)

• non-professional

$30 ($45 for family)

Intern • 16-18 years old • cannot instruct beyond own

test level • must have senior or master rated sponsor

$80

Associate • 18 or older • meant for: ice show skater, part-

time coach (less than 5 hours per week), retired coach, off-ice trainer (ex. dance, sport psychology, conditioning, etc.) • any previously attained ratings beyond the BA go inactive

$70

Full (or Family) • 18 or older • meant for: part-time or full-time

coach, program or rink directors, skate technicians

$120

($170 for family, plus $25 for each additional member beginning with 3rd member)

Honorary • lifetime membership granted

by PSA Board of Governors to a person who has rendered distinguished service to the organization

PS MAGAZINE

Sport Science HEIDI THIBERT

Keeping Spirits High:

Gaining an Aptitude for Altitude Excerpted from: The PSA “Coach’s Guide to Figure Skating Sport Science and Medicine” 3rd edition, Compiled in 2009 by Charlene Boudreau, MA, Exercise Science

ltitude training is used by most elite endurance athletes in preparation for international competition and has always been an intriguing and controversial topic of discussion among athletes, coaches, and sport scientists. Indeed, there are many questions regarding the most effective method of altitude training, and some are very complicated. Speaking with U.S. Figure Skating Sport Science Manager, Peter Zapalo, MS, Kinesiology/ Exercise Physiology, his advice for altitude training for figure skating is to keep it simple. Here is what we know: • An athlete’s performance capacity decreases at altitude, both in training and in competition. • Endurance is hit the hardest. • Anaerobic activity of less than a minute is largely unaffected. • Figure skating programs are largely maximal. • At maximal effort, the reduced stroke volume and heart rate, combined with a decreased pressure gradient impairs oxygen delivery and uptake. • With sufficient time, the human body can acclimate well to altitude. • Figure skaters are probably less susceptible to the effects of altitude than endurance sports. Training for competitions at high altitude is something that, as PSA Sport Science Committee Chair, I get requests for information from time to time. With some of the locations for regional and sectional competitions every season above sea level, some significantly above, this article addresses the preparation methods that coaches can use to help their skaters with the physiological and psychological aspect of competing at altitude. – Heidi DeLio Thibert

Preparing for and Adjusting to Altitude At altitude, the air is “thin.” This does not mean that there is less oxygen in the air we breathe (it is always 20.93%). It means that the pressure forcing air into our lungs and from the lungs into the bloodstream (PiO2)

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is lower. Technically speaking, altitude decreases Partial Pressure of Inhaled Oxygen (PiO2) in the lungs and Oxygen Saturation of the Blood (SaO2). In other words, with each breath, we tend to get less oxygen into our blood (lower SaO2). For example, at sea level, where the barometric pressure is about 760 mmHg, PiO2 is around 149. In Colorado Springs (roughly 6,000 feet above sea level), where the barometric pressure is about 610 mmHg, PiO2 is around 118 mmHg. It is more difficult to perform a set program in Colorado Springs because the oxygen required to complete it hasn’t changed (same jumps, spins and related muscle movements, all of which require certain set amounts of oxygen), so a skater will breathe deeper and faster to get more and bigger breaths to deliver the oxygen needed to complete the program. Fortunately, red blood cells are very efficient at delivering oxygen to working muscles when they need it. In fact, just one tiny red blood cell has the capacity to carry/transport one BILLION molecules of oxygen! This is because one red blood cell contains ~250 million hemoglobin, and one hemoglobin can carry/ transport four oxygen molecules. A hemoglobin molecule is composed of a protein group, known as globin, and four heme groups, each associated with an iron atom. In the lungs, each iron atom combines reversibly with a molecule of oxygen. During aerobic exercise, oxygen and iron play an important role in breaking down carbohydrate for energy (ATP).

Common Initial Altitude Exposure Symptoms The adjustment to altitude can vary from person to person AND from one visit to another. Some people may adjust without experiencing any symptoms whatsoever, while others may experience any combination of shortness of breath (especially during exercise), mild headache, restless or disrupted sleep, dehydration (may exacerbate asthma-related conditions), slight fatigue, irritability, inability to skate at same intensity as at sea-level. The

most common challenges for athletes are dehydration, higher activity levels due to the nature of the trip, harder practices, eating at restaurants or dining halls.

What Can Coaches Do? Coaches can advise the skater that there are measures a skater can take in preparing for a visit to a high altitude environment. Four of the most important things a skater can do to prepare before she leaves for an altitude visit are: • Make healthy eating and drinking strategies at home routine. Adequate and stable hydration and nutrition status allows the body to deal with initial altitude exposure and adjust during the visit. • Get any asthma-related or other breathing restrictions or tendencies addressed and under control. • Include iron-rich foods in your daily food choices at home to help stabilize your iron stores. Examples of iron-rich foods include red meat, shrimp, fish, beans, peas, whole grains, tofu, dark leafy greens and fortified cereals. • Prepare mentally and physically for the common initial symptoms of exposure and plan the first few days of your visit accordingly. Anticipating the side effects makes them seem less dramatic when we actually experience them! Importance of Iron If a skater is staying at altitude more than five days, she should consider having her iron status checked by a physician or healthcare center. This will be valuable only if done at least six weeks prior to the visit since it takes several weeks to correct even mild deficiencies. An iron status check typically includes a profile of a complete blood count (CBC), serum iron, TIBC and ferritin. Athletes with ferritin levels of >30 ng/mL (females) or >35ng/mL (males) can expect to experience the physiological benefits of altitude training. While it is healthy to have adequate iron stores in the body, taking in too much iron can be dangerous. Long-term elevations in body iron can lead to iron toxicity and serious medical conditions. Never take an iron supplement “just in case” or without the guidance of a qualified physician or dietitian, and check the status of a substance prior to ingestion by using the USADA Drug Reference Online: www.usada.org/dro Conclusions:

In summary, the best tips for adjusting and staying healthy at altitude are: • Stay Hydrated. Drink fluids before, during and after workouts: one cup before, couple sips every 10-15 min during, one cup after; Intermittent intake of fluid is better than a lot at once; Avoid alcohol and limit caffeine. • Eat Plenty of Carbs, Protein and Iron. Carbs and protein are critical for training sessions and recovery; Include bread, pasta, fruit/juice, meat, fish, milk, yogurt, beans and dark salads in your daily food choices. • Be Smart About Fat. Choose healthy fats such as olive oil, nuts, avocados and peanut butter, and avoid wasteful fat sources such as French fries, pie, ice cream and Alfredo sauce. • Get Enough Rest. Adequate sleep during the night and short naps during the day can decrease stress hormones and promote recovery and tissue regeneration.

Read More About It: • Glyde-Julian C, Gore CJ, Wilber RL, Daniels JT, Fredericson M, StrayGundersen J, Hahn AG, Parisottoo R, Levine BD. 2004. Intermittent normobaric hypoxia does not alter performance or erythropoietic markers in highly trained distance runners. Journal of Applied Physiology 96(5): 1800-1807 • Levine, B. 2002. Intermittent hypoxic training: Fact and fancy. High Altitude Medicine and Biology 3: 177-193. • Levine, B.D., and J. Stray-Gundersen. 1997. “Living high-training low”: Effect of moderate-altitude acclimatization with low-altitude training on performance. Journal of Applied Physiology 83: 102-112 • Stray-Gundersen, J., R.F. Chapman, and B.D. Levine. 2001. “Living hightraining low” altitude training improves sea level performance in male and female elite runners. Journal of Applied Physiology 91: 1113-1120. • Vigil, J. 1995. Road to the top. Albuquerque, NM: Creative Designs. • Wilber, R.L. 2004. Altitude Training and Athletic Performance. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. • Wilber, R.L. 2001. Current trends in altitude training. Sports Medicine 31: 249-265. • Wilber, R.L., P.L Holm, D.M. Morris, G.M. Dallam, and S.D. Callan. 2004. Effect of F1O2 on oxidative stress during interval training at moderate altitude. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercises 36 36:1888-1894. • Wilber, R.L., P.L Holm, D.M. Morris, G.M. Dallam, and S.D. Callan. 2003. Effect of F1O2 on physiological responses and cycling performance at moderate altitude. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercises 35: 1153-1159. PS MAGAZINE

State Workshops and Nationwide Seminars

Year in Review and Looking Ahead 2011 STATE WORKSHOPS | Dorothi Cassini

The PSA State Workshops that were held in 2011 consisted of many topics and presentations that proved useful to coaches. Some of the topics included ethics, coach to coach communication, safety, pilates, and nutrition, along with moves in the field, rule changes, IJS, and jump technique. Location was the primary factor that attracted coaches to each State Workshop. It was close to home and coaches did not need to miss valuable lesson time in order to educate themselves. The speakers, agenda, and time of year were also a draw for coaches. Half-day workshops can be held in any state at various times of the year. They are one of the best means PSA has for providing education conveniently and economically for coaches. Coaches can attend a workshop in their area without travel and hotel expenses, and do not need to interrupt their teaching schedule. The Basic Accreditation (BA) and Sport Science and Medicine (SSM) written exams may be available following workshops. If you are interested in hosting a

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workshop yourself, this is a great way to offer the coaches in your area a way to receive educational credits with minimal cost and a location close to home. Please check out the PSA website, or the very next page in the magazine, for all the information you need to host or attend a workshop in your area.

2011 NATIONWIDE SEMINARS |

Thomas Amon

After a careful and thorough review of seminar evaluations with member thoughts, ideas, and requests, the PSA is pleased to announce a new long-term strategy of launching these seminars in a more powerful and meaningful way, while preserving the educational process and continuing to provide an opportunity to obtain educational credits in a more proactive manner. In 2011, 15 seminars were offered, compared to the 8 seminars being confirmed for 2012. This will allow our committee to strategically focus on areas of the country that will attract and include as many coaches as possible within geographic boundaries from grassroots to elite! This strategy will also give us a larger pool of presenters

within our grasp and allow us to provide our membership with the best educational experience possible. PSA wants to impress the importance of reaching all learning styles of coaches and athletes. This is another great focus for the upcoming year in terms of recognizing and reaching each learning need: auditory, visual, and kinesthetic, and HOW to teach learners of each type. We are listening to your comments from past seminars and want to implement new ideas to respond positively to them. As we begin a new year of seminars, we are excited to bring you better communication by having agendas well in advance, education on Moves in the Field (primarily twizzles and loops), making IJS “simple,” common and specific errors in jumps and spins, and fewer video presentations. In general, our strategy is “less is more.” We wish to present fewer topics that have a greater amount of detail to them. Please remember to fill out the evaluation form at the end of your seminars this year, as this will allow us to continue to plan the best possible seminars in the future!

Host a WORKSHOP Think it would be great to attend a workshop in your area? Why not host one yourself ?! Here’s what you need to know… Running a State Workshop is a great way to not only educate the coaches in your area, but also to attain PSA educational credits without needing to travel or lose lesson time. WHO CAN HOST A STATE WORKSHOP? • Any PSA member is eligible to host a State Workshop. It is not necessary to be a rated professional or a skating director. You may also choose a co-host to assist you in your preparations.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO? • Invite speakers/presenters who would be willing to donate their time, talent and expertise. • PSA can approve up to $100 for expenses for speakers per workshop (travel, lodging, etc.). • Send your workshop application and agenda to PSA 90 days prior to proposed date. • PSA office will send you everything needed once your application is received. • PSA will create your flyer for you once you have decided what your topics will be and you are closer to your workshop date.

BENEFITS • You can tailor your workshop according to the needs of your area and the expertise you have available in close proximity. • Economical way to attain your PSA credits without as much travel/hotel. • May run 3-6 hours in duration. • Attending coaches can receive 4-6 educational credits. • Can choose specific topics that would be most meaningful to your area coaches (Group, Free Skate, Moves, Equipment, Ethics, Ratings, Synchro, Technical Specialist, Nutritionist, etc.).

• PSA will also provide email addresses of PSA members in your area. • No ice time is required or needed (not covered for reimbursement from PSA). • If you feel ice time would be beneficial, contact your rink manager or local club to see if they would be willing to donate ice time toward coaches’ continuing education.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION • Can be held in any month excluding May, September, and October. It may be beneficial to coordinate with a competition date when coaches will already be in the area. • You can advertise on club websites, with flyers at the rink, and send emails to other skating directors in your area to invite their coaching staff.

CONTACT Barb Yackel at the PSA office (507) 281-5122 or Dorothi Cassini (513) 668-1063 for help or additional information.

Education CAROL ROSSIGNOL

PSA Hockey Committee By Paul Paprocki, chair

everal years ago at the PSA annual conference held in Chicago, three courses were held: Hockey Level I, Hockey Level II, and Power Skating. These courses were very well attended and expectations were high that they would be very beneficial to the attendees. However, the feedback was that most people were disappointed in these courses. As a result, the PSA initiated a hockey committee to improve the program. This committee was made up of highly qualified individuals who were committed to creating a better program that would benefit all figure skating coaches who want to teach skating skills to hockey players. They outlined a five-year plan with four levels of training: Hockey Skating I-IV. The committee decided to use the term hockey skating instead of power skating. Hockey Skating I and Hockey Skating II have been completed and offered at past annual conferences (however, will not be offered in Boston this May). Hockey Skating III is being written and Hockey Skating IV is outlined and will be written next year. Hockey Skating I covers the basics of the game of hockey, hockey jargon, equipment, business plans, marketing, and basic skating skills and drills for hockey players. Hockey Skating II covers more about the game, positions, hockey skates, goalies, and more advanced skating skills and drills. Hockey Skating III will outline the skills and drills needed to train the most advanced hockey players. In addition, it will explain confusing rules of the game of hockey, additional information about goalies, and working with large groups or teams. Hockey Skating IV will instruct coaches who are interested in making a career generating most of their income from teaching hockey players. This course will cover all aspects of creating and managing your own hockey school, as well as additional drills that may be used for teams or with large groups. Below are the names and the credentials of the individuals who are on the PSA Hockey Committee. We encourage you to contact anyone from the committee if you have suggestions or ideas that could assist the

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committee to improve its program. We are also available to answer any questions you may have teaching hockey skating skills to your students. COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Donna Helgenberg Donna is the East Coast Rep for PSA Hockey Accreditation Program, President of Concord Flames Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ice Hockey Club, and has held the position of Head Power Skating coach for a hockey organization and as head coach for Conestoga Girlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Varsity Ice Hockey Club. She has lectured, coached, and trained athletes, hockey coaches, and skating professionals throughout the United States as a hockey skating and skills coach.

Karen Howland Jones Karen has 46 years of experience coaching all levels of free skating, moves in the field, dance, and hockey. She has been a coaching team member for national and international competitors. She has coached throughout the United States and is PSA master-rated in Figure Instructor, Free Skating Instructor, Group Instructor, and Program Director. Karen is on the PSA Hockey Committee and is the Vice Chair of the Area Representatives Committee, serving as representative to Area 16. Tara Lane Tara has been coaching for 24 years and has earned her PSA master rating in Moves in the Field Instructor, Senior Group Instructor, Certified Free Skating Instructor, Hockey Levels I & II, and Power Skating. Tara coaches power skating for hockey players, beginner through Collegiate/Junior A, as well as several varsity and junior varsity hockey teams. In addition, Tara has been the head power skating coach for many hockey programs, and has helped with nationaly recognized power skating programs (Laura Stamm and Robbie Glantz.) Tara relocated to Vail in August 2006 and has continued her coaching there. She is the former chair of the PSA Hockey Committee. Paul Paprocki Paul is the chair of the hockey committee and has been coaching for over 30 years. He has two master ratings — Program Director and Group Instructor, Senior Moves in the Field Instructor, Registered Free Skating instructor, and is a gold medalist in dance. Paul has coached 11 hockey teams and is certified as a USA Hockey–Level 4 coach. Paul can be contacted at (507) 292-1102 or rfscdir@rochesterfsc.org. Barb Yackel Barb is the PSA Events & Ratings Coordinator and her passion for the sport has led to a life-long commitment of directing, organizing and developing skating programs in the state of Minnesota. She holds two PSA master ratings in the Group and Program Director disciplines and is a member of the PSA Hockey Committee with a hockey background that is home grown; working side-by-side with her father Ken, member of the 1952 Olympic hockey team, and developing power skating programs incorporated in the curriculum of the Ken Yackel Summer Hockey Schools 1974-2003. Barb also contributed to the development of the ISI Hockey Program and manuals. The Hockey Committee would like to share our knowledge with you by including articles in the PS Magazine. Also this year, we plan to put the Hockey Skating I course online, and complete the Hockey Skating III manual with the hope that it will be taught at next year’s conference.

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

Entry Level Coaching Course

The Entry Level Coaching Course is designed for all coaching professionals, whether brand new to the business or seasoned veterans. With eight hours of intensive instruction, you will graduate with an introductory strategy to successfully navigate the world of coaching. Explore these topics: • educational theory applied to skating • skill breakdowns • how skaters develop • skating equipment basics • the education of parents • the what & why of coaching ethics • basic business practices to grow your small business ... and more! Enjoy these benefits: • A PSA Coaches Manual (a $25 value!) • On & off-ice instruction from master-rated coaches • Curriculum specifically designed to optimize your teaching potential • Educational handouts • A peer learning experience in a nurturing Check environment calend our ar for • PSA Basic Membership fu Upon completion receive:

• An ELCC certificate • A pass to move directly to your first oral rating! After RSS

TRIVIA From pg. 5

Answer – B. Costumes must have skirts and no excess decorations

tur locati e ons & dates

$60 for members $75 for non-members (includes one year PSA membership)

If you have been coaching for seven years or less, this course is for you! Contact Barb Yackel at the PSA office: byackel@skatepsa.com or by phone 507-281-5122 PS MAGAZINE

2012 PSA International Conference � Trade Show The coaches are coming! The coaches are coming! May 24-26, 2012

Attend Conference and attain enough educational credits to keep your rating active for the next

3 years!

Conference Overview “Performance and Execution: Planning for Success” All events at The Boston Park Plaza

All sessions at The Skating Club of Boston

All events at The Boston Park Plaza

THURSDAY • May 24

FRIDAY • May 25

SATURDAY • May 26

• Conference Registration 7:30am to 4:00pm

• Conference Registration 8:00am to 3:00pm

• Conference Opening 8:30am

• On-ice Sessions 8:00am to 5:15pm

• Keynote Address, General Assembly Presentations • Newcomers’ Meeting 12:00n to 12:30pm • Lunch Break & Meet Your Area Reps over Lunch 12:30—1:30pm • PSA Membership Meeting 1:30pm • General Assembly Presentations & Break out Sessions until 5:30pm • President’s Reception & Silent Auction 6:30—7:30pm sponsored by Jackson/Ultima, Lake Placid ORDA, American Specialty/ESIX • PSA Awards Dinner 7:30 to 10:00pm sponsored by Riedell/Eclipse Blades

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• Off-ice Sessions 8:00am to 5:00pm • Breakfast at the rink sponsored by Riedell/Eclipse Blades • PSA Endorsed Products 8:00am to 3:00pm • Lunch provided at the rink 11:30am–1:30pm • IJS Mini System Technical Panel Demonstrations • Round Table Discussions afternoon *** Trade Show Opening & Reception at Boston Park Plaza Hotel from 6:00 to 8:00 pm

• Trade Show 8:00am to 3:00pm • Breakfast Panel Discussion “Competition Best Practices” sponsored by Disney’s World on Ice 8:00 to 9:30 am • U.S. Figure Skating Elite Coaches Seminar by invitation only 9:45am to 5:30pm • General Assembly Presentations 9:45am to 12:30pm • Written Exams offered at 9:45am, 12:30pm, 2:00pm • Lunch on your own 12:30–1:15pm • Sports Medicine & Science Symposium 1:15 to 4:30pm • Conference Conclusion 4:30 to 5:00pm

44th Annual Awards Dinner New d ‘Edi’ Awar to be unveiled!

Newly Confirmed Conference Speakers Marcia Williams

Denise Williamson

(Group Instruction)

(IJS)

Joe Inman (Music & Movement)

Special ‘thank you’ to our sponsors: • Riedell/Eclipse Blades • Jackson Ultima • ORDA (Lake Placid) • Esix/American Specialty • Disney On Ice

PSA Trade Show Be sure to check out the Trade Show Friday evening May 25 and all day Saturday, May 26. Don’t miss out on everthing our industry vendors have to offer!

Vendors • Jackson Ultima • Brenda Morton Design

• Harmony Sports • Dartfish • Jammin

• • • • • • •

Riedell Klingbeil Sp-Teri Dri-Ice Harlick Skates US, INC Ice Skate Conditioning Equipment • 4d Skate Revolution • Graf Skates • Paramountsk8s, Inc. • Freida B

Eve of the Revolution Thursday May 24, 2012 7:30pm Enjoy dinner and a show as the Psa recognizes the hard work and achievements of the best in the skating community.

purchase your ticket NOW! www.skatepsa.com

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

Walter and Irene Muehlbronner

Scholarship Recipients The Professional Skater’s Foundation is pleased to announce the winners of the 2012 Walter and Irene Muehlbronner scholarship, to be used at a Conference, Seminar, or a PACE program during the year. • Miriam Gelfand Pereira • Jana Raisner • Colin Loughlin • Ann Wehr

The Pro fessiona Skaters Foundati l grateful o for the fo n is contribu llowing tion Vivian “ s in memory o f Muggin s” Casey . Carol R ossigno l – $50 Douglas & Megh an Taylor-G ebler – $ 50 Barb Ya ckel – $ 50

Contributors to the Foundation invest in educational opportunities and scholarship programs for coaches. These scholarships are awarded through a selection process based on guidelines and criteria established by the Foundation Board of Trustees. Applications for the scholarships are located at the www.skatepsa.com.

www.skatepsa.com

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HONOR ROLL

3 of 4

COACHES

Synchronized Skating

2012 Pacific Coast Synchronized Skating Sectional Championships

National Synchronized Skating Championships Senior Haydenettes Crystallettes Miami University ICE’Kateers

1 2 3 4

Saga Krantz Shannon Peterson, Holly Teets Kathleen Bowling, Carla DeGirolamo, LeeAnn Shoker Kathleen Pargee, John Saitta

Junior Team Braemar Skyliners Lexettes Chicago Jazz

1 2 3 4

Pamela May, Toni Swiggum Josh Babb, Jenny Gibson Kendra Flanagan, Erika Hoffman, Saga Krantz Paula Bischoffer, Jaime Catalano, Lisa Darken

Adult DC Edge Esprit de Corps Team Delaware Crystallettes

1 2 3 4

Jennifer DeSimone, Elizabeth Rhoads Saga Krantz, Donna Mitchell, Deirdre Wilson Wendy Deppe, Megan O’Donnell Stacy Sue Holland, Holly Teets

Masters Esprit de Corps Allegro! DC Edge Denver Synchronicity

1 2 3 4

Deirdre Wilson Carrie Brown, Kelsey McInnes Jennifer DeSimone, Elizabeth Rhoads Caitlin Balch-Burnett

Junior Denver Synchronicity

Alicia Carr, Caitlin Balch-Burnett

Adult Denver Synchronicity

Alicia Carr

Open Adult Capital Ice

Masters Denver Synchronicity La Furia

1 2

Caitlin Balch-Burnett Stefano Stangalini

Novice ICE’kateers California Gold

1 2

Kathleen Pargee, John Saitta Jillian Cipresso, Amanda Falkowski

Intermediate Team del Sol Epic Edge I Denver Synchronicity Sierra Storm

1 2 3 4

Ashlyn Nadeau, Karen Wiesmeier Pamela Dellhey, Brittney Olson Alicia Carr Jayne Throckmorton, Alexandra Zimmer

Juvenile Fusion

Jenny Rose Hendrickson

Open Juvenile Team del Sol The Rockers Epic Edge ICE’kateers

1 2 3 4

Ashlyn Nadeau, Karen Wiesmeier Sarah Sherman Brittney Olson Jamie Streeter, John Saitta

Collegiate Miami University

University of Delaware University of Michigan Western Michigan University

2 3 4

Kathleen Bowling, Carla DeGirolamo, Lee Ann Shoker Wendy Deppe, Megan O’Donnell Erin Donovan Leslie Graham

Novice Ice Mates Team Braemar Hockettes Crystallettes

1 2 3 4

Erika Hoffman, Saga Krantz Pamela May, Toni Swiggum Lia DiCicco, Erin Donovan, Nicole Falardeau Denise Dobert, Holly Teets

Intermediate Star Mates Fond du Lac Blades

Pre-Juvenile Epic Edge Glacial Magic Shining Blades South Suburban Stars

1 2 3 4

Brittney Olson Andrea Brett, Jami Mitchell Susan Morrison Kayli Bassuk, Gerry Lane, Terrie Neukirch

1 2

Preliminary South Suburban Stars

Kayli Bassuk, Gerry Lane, Terrie Neukirch

Saint Louis Synergy

Skyliners

Erika Hoffman, Saga Krantz Jennifer McMahon, Holly Nudelbacher, Heather Pagel Karen Giedeman, Ramona Peterson, Quinn Tyminski Josh Babb, Natalie Martello

Juvenile Chicago Jazz Skyliners Mini Mates Synchroettes

1 2 3 4

1 2 3

Shannon Peterson, Holly Teets Jenna King, Heather Paige Leslie Graham

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Tammy Cervone, Kristi Frank Celeste Cote-Estrada, Natalie Martello, Krista Shea Kendra Flanagan, Samuel Mortimer Bobette Guerrieri, Kaleigh Hussey-Tomich, Geri Lynch- Tomich

Midwestern Synchronized Skating Sectional Championships Senior Crystallettes Starlights Western Michigan University

Junior Team Braemar Chicago Jazz Hockettes Evolution

1 2 3 4

Pamela May, Toni Swiggum Paula Bischoffer, Jaime Catalano, Lisa Darken Eliot Halverson, Erin Donovan, Alison Reilly Brooke Sloan

Adult Crystallettes Allegro Starlights Western Michigan Alumni

1 2 3 4

Stacy Holland, Holly Teets Carrie Brown Jenna King, Heather Paige Leslie Graham

Open Adult Cleveland Edges Ice Connect Eclipse Revolution

1 2 3 4

Alissa Mariage, Jeff Marshall Amy Wright Cynthia Baran Jennifer Caron

Masters Allegro

Collegiate University of Michigan Western Michigan University Michigan State University University of Wisconsin

Eastern Synchronized Skating Sectional Championships Senior Haydenettes Skyliners Team Image

1 2 3

Saga Krantz Josh Babb, Jenny Gibson, Pamela May Vicki Korn, Sylvia Muccio

Junior Lexettes Synchroettes

1 2

Precisely Right

Carrie Brown, Kelsey McInnes

Adult Esprit de Corps DC Edge Team Delaware The Colonials

Saga Krantz, Kendra Flanagan, Erika Hoffman Geri Lynch-Tomich, Kaleigh Hussey- Tomich, Bobette Guerrieri Suzanne Laki-Echevarria, Katherine Ortolani, John Towill

1 2 3 4

Saga Krantz, Donna Mitchell Jenny DeSimone, Libby Rhoads Wendy Deppe, Megan O’Donnell Amanda Werner, Jacqui Lovato

1 2 3 4

Erin Donvan Leslie Graham Erin Bridge Gwen Bond, Jennifer McMahon

Open Adult Ice Magic Cutting Edge Carolina Ice Synchro Mystic Ice

1 2 3 4

Nina Newby Nicole Krudys Jayme Gaster, Paula McKinley

Open Collegiate Fighting Irish-Notre Dame Miami University Ohio University Lindenwood University

1 2 3 4

Tracey Mulherin Ashley Korn Megan McKinley Brittany Wisenor

Masters Esprit de Corps DC Edge Team Delaware Essex Blades

1 2 3 4

Deirdre Wilson Jenny DeSimone, Libby Rhoads Linda Bacon Kay Barsdell-Alswang

Novice Hockettes Team Braemar Crystallettes St. Louis Synergy

1 2 3 4

Collegiate University of Delaware University of New Hampshire Boston University Team Excel

1 2 3 4

Wendy Deppe, Megan O ‘Donnell Kelly Richall, Amanda Werner Deidre Wilson, Ron Kravette, Andrea Mohns-Brillaud Merita Mullen, Jane Gruber

Intermediate St. Louis Synergy Fond du Lac Blades Crystallettes Capital Ice Chips

Lia DiCicco, Erin Donovan Pamela May, Toni Swiggum Denise Dobert, Holly Teets Karen Giedeman, Charity Hendrickson, Ramona Peterson

1 2 3 4

Karen Giedeman, Ramona Peterson, Quinn Tyminski Jennifer McMahon, Holly Nudelbacher, Heather Pagel Emily Chase-Naperkoski, Meghan Quigley Rebecca Gallion

Open Collegiate Osweco State Ice Effects University of Delaware University of Maryland Team Excel

1 2 3 4

Marie Driscoll Shuman Jody Russon, Kimberly Eddy, Carli Jenkins Kimberly Eddy, Carli Jenkins Merita Mullen, Jane Gruber

Juvenile Chicago Jazz Starlights Phoenix Hockettes

1 2 3 4

Tammy Cervone, Kristi Frank Christine Heiser Kelly Carranza, Jeannine Weinschrod, Helene Wolf Erin Donovan, Nicole Falardeau

Novice Ice Mates Skyliners Team Delaware The Colonials

1 2 3 4

Saga Krantz, Erika Hoffman Josh Babb Wendy Deppe, Megan O’Donnell Amanda Werner, Jacqui Lovato

Open Juvenile Dazzlers Ice Delights Team du Couer Cleveland Edges

1 2 3 4

Debbie Buirge Kristi Westerbur Sara Jack-Grzymkowski, Heather Blasko Alissa Mariage, Jeff Marxhall

Intermediate Star Mates Skyliners Team Reflections The Colonials

1 2 3 4

Saga Krantz, Erika Hoffman Josh Babb, Natalie Martello Amy Henderson, Deborah Sheaffer Amanda Werner, Jacqui Lovato

Pre-Juvenile Crystallettes Cleveland Edges Team du Couer Silver Leafs

1 2 3 4

Stacy Holland, Sarah Iatzko Alissa Mariage, Jeff Marshall Sara Jack-Grzymkowski, Heather Blasko Lora Barreto, Tracy Cipowski-Murray, Jennifer Hiller-Gruber

Juvenile Skyliners Mini Mates Synchroettes

1 2 3

Philadelphia Symmetry

Open Juvenile Superettes Team Esprit Wallace Synergy Mirror Image

Celeste Cote-Estrada, Natalie Martello Kendra Flanagan, Samuel Mortimer Geri Lynch-Tomich, Kaleigh Hussey- Tomich, Bobette Guerrieri Lisa Nowak Spearing, Ashleigh Renard, Logan Renard

1 2 3 4

Preliminary St. Louis Synergy Chicago Jazz Hockettes Chicago Radiance

1 2 3 4

Quinn Tyminski, Charity Hendrickson Carol Gohde, Jaime Catalano Alison Reilly, Erin Donovan Christina Wronkowicz

Cynthia Arling-Brett, Kristine McKenzie Wilkinson Jillian McCarthy, Heidi Richetelle Jessica Atkins, Kathryn Valera Jessica Stratton PS MAGAZINE

Pre-Juvenile Skyliners Shooting Stars Team Ashburn Synchroettes

1 2 3 4

Sarah Blosat, Celeste Cote-Estrada Saga Krantz, Elise Larsson Sharon Brusie, Brenda Hinkle Geri Lynch-Tomich, Bobette Guerrieri

Preliminary Skyliners Snowflakes Shooting Stars Team Ashburn

1 2 3 4

Sarah Blosat, Nina Newby Katherine McKenzie Wilkinson Saga Krantz, Erika Hoffman, Jenna Longo Sharon Brusie

Honor Roll Corrections New England Regional Championships Senior Ladies Kendall Wyckoff

If your name is missing from the Honor Roll, please notify us and we would be pleased to publish your name in the next issue. Please specify the competition, event, your skaterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name and placement. If we have inadvertently missed anyone we apologize for the omission.

Diane Agle

Upper Great Lakes Regional Championship Juvenile Girls Olivia Allan

Julie Malmen, Denise Myers

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

2012 Nationwide Seminars

Area

Host Name

Facility

Location

Date

Tim Covington

Skylands Ice World

Stockholm, NJ

9/9/2012

Aren Nielsen

Atlanta Ice Forum

Atlanta, GA

10/28/2012

Jerod Swallow

Detroit Skating Club

Detriot, MI

9/22/2012

Beth Nilsson

Eden Prairie Community Center

Eden Prairie, MN

9/30/2012

Heather Aseltine

Northbrook Sport Center

Northbrook, IL

9/16/2012

Gerry Lane

South Suburban Ice Arena

Denver, CO

9/9/2012

Patti Brinkley

Olympicview Arena

Seattle, WA

9/8/2012

Darin Mathewson

Pickwick Garden

Burbank, CA

10/7/2012

sponsored by

MAY | JUNE 2012

Skyliners novice team of the Skating Club of New York are all smiles in the championships.

2012 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships

BY ELIZABETH PESCHGES

I just returned from the U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships in Worcester, Massachusetts. Not only did I receive instruction on the proper way to say “Worcester” (think Wus-ter), I also had the privilege of watching the best synchronized skating teams in the United States. Skaters come together from across the country to skate and cheer each other on. The teams even learned a choreographed dance to a mix of popular songs and performed the “flash mob” dance in the stands every time the song was played in the arena. What a fabulous sight to see, and a great example of the camaraderie of synchronized skating! As for the actual skating… the teams take my breath away. Perhaps it is because I am a synchro skater myself, but when teams perform their programs, I can feel the energy and passion they bring to the ice. It is an amazing feeling, and one that brings tears to my eyes on occasion. Before I give an

overview of the top three junior and senior level teams, I want to note that unless otherwise stated, I am referring to the long program for each team. At the junior level, Team Braemar won the gold medal. Their gypsy-themed long program had exceptionally smooth transitions. However, it was their short program to “Bla Bla Bla Cha Cha Cha” that was the most entertaining. The team does a four-spoke wheel with alternating inside edges that gives the wheel a very sassy feel. The silver medal went to Skyliners, who earned a standing ovation for their “Swan Lake” program. Let me tell you, watching this program on a screen just doesn’t do it justice. You have to see this in person to appreciate its beauty and gracefulness. Lexettes captured the bronze medal with their “Rio” program. This is the team that made me cry. However, this may be because two ladies from my home club skate with

Junior Results 1. Team Braemar 2. Skyliners 3. Lexettes

Senior Results

1. Haydenettes 2. Crystallettes 3. Miami University the Lexettes now, and I am so proud of them for following their dreams and skating on a team of this level. Regardless, the team has fun on the ice and it shows in their skating. Once again, Haydenettes secured the senior level gold medal with their “Lady Gaga” mix. Johnny Weir would have been proud! Their program was packed with high energy skating and signature Lady Gaga dance moves. A very impressive element from

PS MAGAZINE

their program was the no-hold block because of its speed and flow. The Crystallettes earned the silver medal for their program to JLo’s “On the Floor.” I enjoyed watching this program because it was smooth and confident in its entirety. Capturing the bronze medal was Miami University Senior Varsity Synchronized Skating Team. Miami’s gypsythemed program to “Hungarian Rhapsody” was a pleasure to watch. In addition, the team won the PSA Best Performance Award for their “Blue Suede Shoes” short program, in which the originality, showmanship, and choreography was superb. Watching the senior level teams provides an opportunity to reflect on where synchro has been, and where it is headed in the future. Based on the trends this year, I expect that next year more coaches will be choosing popular songs rather than the traditional classical

MAY | JUNE 2012

or Broadway pieces. I think this will help synchro become more appealing to non-skating audiences, and perhaps inspire kids to start skating lessons or try skating on their local synchro team. We have only great things to look forward to in the world of synchronized skating!

RIGHT: The Haydenettes celebrate their first place finish. BOTTOM: PSA President Angie Riviello-Steffano (far left) presented Miami University SST with the PSA Best Performance Award.

“Being his student was like being on a winding road. We’d go left and right and left again but eventually we’d get to the destination. He had so many new and unique ideas, we were always willing to try different things.” – Barbara Wagner

PA RT N E R S F R A N C E S DA F O E A N D N O R R I S B OW D E N w i t h S h e l d o n G a l b r a i t h I N DAV O S , S W I T Z E R L A N D, B E F O R E T H E WO R L D F I G U R E S K AT I N G C H A M P I O N S H I P S o f 1 9 5 3 p h o t o c o u rt e s y o f F r a n c e s Da f o e

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Sheldon Galbraith By: Terri Milner Tarquini hen a very young Sheldon Galbraith pulled on eight pairs of socks and laced up his father’s outsized TackeberryStrauss skates, it was shades of the innovation that would lead him to one day become the most successful coach in Canada’s history. Galbraith led students to victories in men’s, ladies’ and pairs at the World Championships and coached Barbara Ann Scott and the pair team of Barbara Wagner and Bob Paul to Olympic gold medals. He studied jump length, the use of a harness, recorded elements during practices on film, and made it a goal of his skaters to present an entire package of equal parts presentation and technique to the judges – all things that are common place now, but were cutting edge at the time. “I am not exaggerating when I say he was the inventor of modern day skating.” Wagner, who won her Olympic gold medal in 1960, said. “His advanced innovation, of course, but he also was creative and had an eye for corralling young talent. He was the greatest coach and a total genius.” Born in Canada in 1922, Galbraith has lived globally and travelled extensively, currently residing in Newmarket, Ontario. A farm kid who lived through the Great Depression, as a boy Galbraith worked at his local ice rink as an ice scraper to cover the 25 cents it cost for a session and rental skates. Continuing his training and competing at a variety of rinks through the junior level, Galbraith eventually joined the Ice Follies in 1940 where he performed until 1943 when he was commissioned during World War II by the U.S. Naval Air Force as a flight instructor. It was only after his stints in the Ice Follies and the Navy that, at the age of 24, he passed his gold tests in figures and freestyle and found his true calling. As a master coach, his skaters brought home to Canada the nation’s first non-hockey medals from the Winter Olympics and he was the Olympic team coach in 1948, 1956 and 1960. “He had a way of incorporating everything from his life and relating it back to his sport,” said Paul, Wagner’s Olympic partner, noting that Galbraith student Donald Jackson was the first male skater to perform a successful triple Lutz in international competition. “He was extremely advanced when

it came to studying technique and the projection of jumps. He got all of his ideas about the trajectory of jumps from his years of teaching pilots in the Navy and he pursued it by discussing with experts the whole concept of trajectory—what gets people into the air and how the best way to do that is.” While those who know him are certain Galbraith has never seen himself as the innovator they all credit him with being, he is aware how his life experiences shaped his coaching philosophies. “During a war there is no extra time. A competitive athlete is up against the same time frame.” Galbraith was quoted in Skate History, an online historical look at figure skating, in 2005. “Where I thought the things could apply that I learned from the military and my aviation training, I would try to implement them. The military organization had weeded out over generations and years and came up with particular methods and processes that would get results. I accepted this whole-heartedly and asked my pupils to go along with me until they could prove certain things did not work.” And go along with him, they did…willingly. “Being his student was like being on a winding road. We’d go left and right and left again but eventually we’d get to the destination. He had so many new and unique ideas, we were always willing to try different things,” Wagner said. “I always say that if he asked me to jump off a roof I would do it. And, only after I had done it, I would ask why he had wanted me to. There’s nothing he asked of me that I wouldn’t do.” Fascinated by the length and height of jumps, Galbraith embarked on processes and training techniques that, in the 1950s must have seemed somewhat crazy, but that today’s coaches utilize often. For instance, Galbraith wanted to apply to his sport a practice used in naval aviation of pilots being trained in simulators and giving them the feeling of how to fly before having to actually do so. And the harness was born. “The skaters hung from straps and skated until they got enough momentum that they could draw themselves off the ice and develop the rotation that has been accumulated and

PS MAGAZINE

S h e l d o n a n d m u r r ay G a l b r a i t h photo courtesy of skate canada archives

Sheldon Galbraith with barbara ann scot t (second from left)

photo courtesy of skate canada archives

thus practice rotation without the dangers and fears associated with falling,” Galbraith said in Skate History. Further, Galbraith felt it was important for his skaters to see what he was seeing so they could correct it. And so, decades before there were handheld video cameras and Dartfish and cell phones with recording capabilities, Galbraith was committing practices to film. “On Mondays he would tape us on 8mm film and he would take it the next day to a friend to get developed,” Wagner said. “We’d get it back on Friday and he’d put in the projector and we’d watch it. We used to joke that by then we usually had fixed the problem, but it was always nice to know that we were on the right track.” In addition, also attributable to his Navy training, Galbraith was at the forefront of exploring altitude training. “Nobody else was realizing the impact that skating at altitude can have on an athlete’s body,” said Frances Dafoe, 1954 and 1955 World Pairs Champion and silver medalist at the 1956 Olympics. Working with Dafoe’s father who had been an athlete, a hockey coach and a doctor, Galbraith theorized that “it takes three weeks to become climatized and he would train us with that in mind. That was revolutionary at the time.” A skater for the Ice Follies for several years, Galbraith spent a fair amount of time entertaining audiences. He theorized that judges were an audience as well and realized that more attention should be paid to his skaters’ music, costumes, choreography and presentation, in addition to the jumps and spins. “There’s a difference between teaching and coaching,” Paul said. “Teaching is how you technically improve the elements of your skaters. Coaching is how you approach the entire performance. Sheldon was both an extraordinary teacher and coach.” Today there are choreographers, and separate jump and spin technicians, and a host of specialty coaches in between. In Galbraith’s time, the primary coach was the only coach. “Today skaters have multiple coaches to work on different areas,” Dafoe said, who, with her partner, Norris Bowden, were the first pairs team to do lifts high in the air above the shoulder level. “We had one man and he was a very special man. He was way ahead of his time.”

MAY | JUNE 2012

In addition to words like innovator and genius, Galbraith’s former skaters have other words for him as an overall coach: tough, caring, dedicated, determined, down-to-business. “His message was always the same: ‘Never give up. You can do it.’” Wagner, who was 12 when she began skating with Paul, said. “I will never forget what he said to us after our Olympic skate. He said, ‘Nice job.’ It was the first time he had ever said that. Usually it was, ‘We’ll fix this,’ or, ‘We can work on that.’ He was a tough taskmaster but incredibly caring. Bob and I were just two kids when he saw that Bob’s strength and my discipline would work well together. I have an Olympic gold medal because of him.” But practice is one thing and competition is another and getting skaters to perform well in front of judges was a Galbraith goal. “The thing he did better than anything else was getting his students to skate their best under pressure,” Paul said. “He had a very common sense approach to competing.” The idea of treating a competitive performance the same as any other performance was forefront in Galbraith’s coaching. “He always said, ‘Don’t watch others. Do your own thing and concentrate,’” Dafoe said, recalling one particular competition when she and Bowden competed outside in a blizzard. “After each program, they cleaned the ice and had nowhere to put the snow so they just kept piling it up around the sides of the ice. We couldn’t tell where the ice stopped and the snow began. Sheldon just said, ‘Franny, the ice is getting smaller and smaller so be aware. But you have a job to do, now go do it.’” Currently residing in a long-term care home after a fall last year, Galbraith’s hearing is failing but his mind is still sharp … and he will always have the devotion of his skaters who often recall his life lessons. “Whenever we were having problems with something or other skating related, he always said, ‘Franny, into every life, a little rain must fall.’” Dafoe said. “That quote comes back to me often in my daily life.” Dafoe continued in the skating world as an acclaimed costume designer and went on to judge, wrapping up her judging career at the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics. Wagner and Paul performed for the Ice Capades and now both currently coach in Georgia and California, respectively. “Every word I speak to my skaters is from him. I spent more waking hours with Mr. Galbraith than with my own parents.” Wagner said. “I wouldn’t have my deep love of skating if not for him.”

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

RATINGS “I felt very comfortable and felt as though I was in a very relaxed atmosphere.”

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“The great feedback helps me to be a better coach.”

“I loved it!!!! Thank you!” “Examiners were very helpful.”

“Always a learning experience. Great support and guidance from other “I have learned so MPDs!”

much as a coach in this process.”

“I truly broadened my range of coaching techniques and methods preparing for my exam and the input from my panel was constructive.”

For your future. For your skaters. For our sport. The PSA Official Rating System is for coaches who want to validate their skating skill and teaching experience. Ratings are an assurance to clubs, rinks, skaters, parents, and the general public that the coach they hire is technically qualified to instruct at the level in which they are rated, regardless of background and skating achievement. Ratings are offered in Free Skating, Figures, Pairs, Dance, Group, Program Director, Synchronized Skating, Free Dance, Choreography, and Moves in the Field. They are offered at the Registered, Certified, Senior and Master levels. Ratings consist of both written and oral examinations. Please visit our website for more information!

www.skatepsa.com

FREE SKATING • FIGURES • PAIRS • DANCE • GROUP • PROGRAM DIRECTOR • SYNCHRONIZED TEAM • FREE DANCE • CHOREOGRAPHY • MOVES IN THE FIELD

American Skating World

By Kent McDill

The late 1970s and early 1980s were a golden age for competitive figure skating in the United States. The introduction of the short program in 1973 to ISU competitions, and the increasing interest of television to broadcast competitions, created a whole new world of popularity for the sport. But with the increase in popularity came an increase in conflict and controversy. Yet there were few, if any, media outlets, whether print or electronic, interested in or capable of covering the intricacies of the sometimes Byzantine figure skating community. From this need American Skating World (ASW) was born, a print publication aligned with no one and interested only in telling the stories, both in front of the world and behind the scenes, of competitive figure skating. For 20 years, from 1981 to 2001, ASW covered figure skating in both the United States and the world in a way that thrilled fans of the sport and often irritated organizers of the sport. The publication shied away from no topic and harbored no agenda other than to get the news out in a timely fashion. “At the time, there was total control of the media by the skating associations,’’ said Bob Mock, a successful skating coach and rink manager who was the editor of ASW. “We felt the sport was growing, and we hit at the exactly right time, the golden age of figure skating. Our concept was getting the news quickly, presenting both sides of the story, rather than just one side and encouraging discussion and debate. We were able to get a publication out within 24 hours of an event. We got so good at what we were doing, that the main associations were calling us for their results.” “It was outstanding, a magazine before its time,’’ said Carole Shulman, the former Professional Skaters Association executive director. “ It discussed issues honestly and openly. There was never a recrimination. There was just explaining a situation, often giving a solution and sometimes just presenting a problem so people could think about it. It was a fantastic publication, and very much needed.”

MAY | JUNE 2012

The original form of ASW died around the turn of the 21st century, but its effects and its memory live on today. THE BEGINNING “We started in 1979 when I was approached by a publisher named Michael Romanus, and he said, ‘Maybe there might be a market in the ice sports for another publication,’” Mock said. “We had a big discussion, and around in 1979-1980, we started to move forward on the concept of a free press publication in skating, which Bob Mock, editorial portrait had never existed.” ‘Free press’ was the key phrase for Mock. All of the skating organizations, including the International Skating Union and the United States Figure Skating Association, had their own in-house publications, which were merely promotional vehicles. Mock and Romanus had something else in mind. “We did two years of research, worked with focus groups, made sample copies, trying to find what the market was ready for,’’ Mock said. “This was all pre-Internet, so publications and magazines, that is how we got our news. And sometimes the news came out three to six months after an event. What we found was that the public was looking for a way to get the news quicker on events.” Mock and Romanus were ready to get going in 1981, so at the Worlds competition in Hartford, CT, that year, they announced that American Skating World was going to come out immediately after Worlds was over. “So in March or April of 1981, we came out with the publication,’’ Mock said. “We had the top three finishers on the cover; I remember Scott Hamilton and David Santee were on it. And we were NOT well received. “They felt we were competing with their house organ,’’

Mock said. “They would tell stories of the organizations, and tell a nice story. We were coming out of a free press concept where you had lot of opinions. Their complaint was they didn’t know who we were, but they were afraid of the concept, afraid they were going to lose control of the dialogue.” So American Skating World found itself on the outside looking in at skating events where press credentials were required. Mock and Romanus had to fight legal battles early on in order to get credentialed. While working to get accredited and accepted, Mock spent what time he could dedicate to the magazine chasing down writers (stringers) to cover events and get photographs. The goal was to get results out to readers as soon as possible and include event stories that went beyond the final tallies. “I had all kinds of people saying ‘You are crazy, you are putting your career on the line, it is never going to work,’’’ Mock said. “But we put together some pretty good people who could put together some sentences and be coherent and it took off like a rocket.” SIGNS OF SUCCESS American Skating World was printed by a company in Pittsburgh, which worked on several other publications, but it soon became clear that ASW was keeping the employees busier than the other publications with phone calls and magazine requests. In 1982, the U.S. National Championship was held at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, and ASW trucked in approximately 15,000 copies of the latest magazine for distribution. On Saturday night, the championship night for the event, Mock hired local people to get into the arena and distribute the magazine for free during Zamboni breaks to anyone exiting bathrooms or standing in line at concession stands. “When we got back into the show arena, every person was reading American Skating World,’’ Mock said. “That’s when we knew this thing was taking off.” Mock said acceptance for the magazine within the upper levels of the skating community took time. “We had some stressful legal situations getting press credentials,’’ Mock said. “Eventually, the people who were not in favor of us existing, years later, down the line, all came back and said ‘We misread what you were doing; you are doing a great service and we apologize.’” “It was revolutionary, but it wasn’t a revolt,’’ Shulman said. “It was just an open discussion about the issues, and there were a lot of issues going on at that time.”

THE INFLUENCE Mock said ASW was often referred to as the National Enquirer of ice skating. “It depends on how you take it,’’ he said. “We were getting stories, breaking stories before anybody else had them. When you are breaking new ground and trying new things, operating in a free press mode, some people are not going to like you. “But it opened up the sport,’’ Mock said. “I think we were a real positive driving force in a lot of avenues. We pushed adult skating forward when no one was interested in it, we got the associations to work better together toward the betterment of the sport rather than just their territory. Our philosophy was always to show both sides of an issue.” As amateur skaters with world fame grew older, they wanted the opportunity to become professional figure skaters, and American Skating World played a big role in promoting professional skating, including the Dick Button competitions. “We gave skaters who retire from the amateur ranks a place to go to make a living,’’ Mock said. “We promoted heavily and people were heavily interested.” American Skating World established the Professional Skaters of the Year award, which became a highly respected honor among skaters who had moved beyond their amateur ranks. Eventually, ASW was published 12 months a year (“We were told there was no news about skating in the summer months, but that wasn’t true,” Mock said) and was published in 14 foreign countries. The magazine was widely distributed in pro shops and at skating events for 20 years. Mock’s role at the magazine was to serve as editor, work with the staff, and make sure the magazine was 100 percent accurate in its information. He was also responsible for the Page 2 editorial, a page-long piece that was always strongly worded and often considered controversial. Still, his influence grew to where he was invited to serve as a consultant for different skating organizations and facilities, and his role in skating grew as the magazine’s popularity increased. Over the years, Mock wrote an editorial for every magazine, and he remembers two specifically. The first was his most famous, entitled “Three Types of Skating Parents,” copies of which can still be found in skating rinks around the country and can also be located on the Internet. “I also wrote a review when (Jayne) Torvill and (Christopher) Dean came out with their world tour, and I said they were

PS MAGAZINE

breaking new ground and showing ice shows new ways of doing things,’’ Mock said. “The president of the Ice Capades really got mad at me. We had an argument in publications, writing editorials back and forth, and when the show came to town in Pittsburgh, my seats were in the back row of the Pittsburgh Civic Arena.” “The editorials in the magazine were not something you would find published in Skating Magazine or the PSA Magazine,’’ said John Lefevre, the former Executive Director of the USFSA. “I can’t say there wasn’t gossip in some of the stories, but they were independent and they were in most cases generally pretty factual. It was much different than any other publication in that time.” Near the turn of the 21st century, Michael Romanus took ill and told Mock he was going to have to sell ASW, and did so, and Mock sold his shares of the magazine as well and served only to write his editorials. The new owner had a different philosophy on the magazine, and it eventually died in 2002.

American Skating World has been gone for a decade, but its memory exists in the minds of those whose lives were affected by it. “I think it had influence, because its circulation was pretty widespread, and I think the organizations paid attention to it because it alerted them to views that they had not heard, or didn’t want to admit existed,’’ Lefevre said. “If there were two sides, you would get one side from the organizations and the other side didn’t get published. American Skating World published the other side.”

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MAY | JUNE 2012

WINTER CLUB OF INDIANAPOLIS Indianapolis, IN

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www.usfigureskating.org. PS MAGAZINE

GREAT TIPS FROM AMERICA'S TOP COACHES

TIPS FROM PAST CONFERENCE PRESENTERS

Introducing Single Jumps Excerpts from 2007 PSA Conference by Diane Miller

** PART 2, continued from the April issue of “In the Loop”, PSA’s e-magazine

This presentation was directed towards a counter-clockwise jumper.

Toe Loop: I use the same pattern as the Salchow. They can go back to the line and use the same three-turn that you drew for I am really big on teaching all single jumps correctly even in learn them, the only change will be right at the end of the curve before to skate. the take-off. Have them think about turning just the right hip and Salchow: Skating is all about controlling rotation so before they foot, nothing else. even get to do a Salchow, I will spend a lot of time on the three Have the skater stroke, instead of push, into the three-turn turn going up the line, which is the same three-turn they are going which helps the free foot to go into the circle to the left instead of to use for their flip jump. swinging it wide. I start everything from a “T” position, left arm is back, right arm The toe placement on the take-off of a toe slightly forward (soft arms in an ‘L’ position) loop ends up behind the point of take-off. bend and stroke forward up the line holding “The best thing about Does it go in crossed? No, but it goes in behind this position. For all of my three-turns, the timing is the same. Press down in the ankle coming to a PSA Conference and underneath your hip and by the time that foot draws through that is where it ends up. and knee, come up out of the knee and ankle with both feet together, turn and then bend is that you have new things Jeff Digregorio says, ‘the toe should line up with the crack of their rear end’ I wasn’t sure if I back down after the turn. That’s all I`ll do for to go home with but it also could say that, but boy, the kids get it! a week or two depending on how often they After the three-turn, the right arm should be skate. affirms what you do and behind their head, the left arm is over the belly I have them stay up on the knee as they turn because we increase rotation and depth of already know. It makes you button which is now over the right side of their body. From there just have them draw back in edge by bending. Errors we see on three-turns and cross their feet like a curtsy. I talk about believe.” are when a skater kicks and lifts or when they that heel starting to go through first, then pivot turn and bend right away which makes them on the toe keeping the right foot in front and go up into a waltz curve in a circle. Note: if they keep their weight over their skating jump. hip then their free foot will not touch the ice as they bring their feet I spend a lot of time with that foot (drawing in to the cross) it’s together. really important that the right arm and right toe work together so Have them think of scooping up ice cream. The cone is in front that they don’t end up with a toe waltz jump. in the skating hand and they will scoop with the free arm into the Just like the waltz jump, Salchow, and toe loop, both arms should upside down cone. go through and out in front at shoulder level, parallel to each other. I like to draw a pattern on the ice for the kids so that they can see For the waltz jump, Salchow, toe loop, and later on the Axel, what I want. encourage a strong left arm driving to the right. I draw the left forward outside edge going out away from the line In my perfect world, the landings are always lined up with the at an angle. After the three-turn the edge straightens out so they take-off. are now parallel to the line. The edge coming out of the three-turn should be at least twice as long as the edge before the three-turn. I will have them balance on one foot until they can stop at the end of the take-off edge with control before I allow them to jump. The waltz jump, Salchow, and toe loop are brothers.

MAY | JUNE 2012

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3. “How to Turn Parents into Partners”

Receive the Support You Need • Watch a recorded replay of this webinar! Available in the PSA online store.

4. “Three Silver-Bullet Coaching Techniques” How to Increase Athletic Performance & Player Loyalty • Available April 4, 2012

Judy Thomas Talent Director and Production Coordinator Feld Entertainment 1313 17th Street East Palmetto, FL 34221 USA or call (941) 721-1234 FAX: (941) 349-4280 jthomas@feldinc.com

©Disney

**Presenter at 2012 PSA International Conference and Tradeshow. David Benzel is a speaker, author, and expert in the principles of influence and coaching. His ten years as a commentator for ESPN and fifteen years as a professional water ski coach provide him with vivid insights about the challenges of sport.

For more information, please send a skating resume, photos and current video (3-6 minutes) including all contact information to:

IN COOPERATION WITH THE PSA PS MAGAZINE

Rink Safety JIMMIE SANTEE, CAM, CAO, CAP

Ammonia Refrigeration Dangers T

“The smell is similar to household cleaners like Windex. If you breathe ammonia into your lungs, you may cough, wheeze, or feel shortness of breath.”

his past September, firefighters responded to the Louis Astorino Arena in Hamden, Connecticut. At about 6:20 p.m. an employee called 911 to report an ammonia leak. Two employees who were in the ice rink at the time left the building uninjured and fortunately, there were no programs at the rink that evening. According to the Hamden Fire Chief, David Berardesca, there had been periodic ammonia leaks at the rink before. In December of 2006, a small ammonia leak near the ice skating rink at Memorial City Mall in Houston, Texas forced firefighters to evacuate the shopping center. On that same day in a separate incident, the Sugar Land Ice and Sports Center was evacuated around 4:15pm after an ammonia leak was reported. Again, no one was injured. However, that was not the case at the North Shore Winter Club on November 28, 2011. Karen Magnussen, Olympic silver medalist and coach suffered severe respiratory injury after she inhaled ammonia that had escaped during a mishap at the rink. Reported in the Vancouver Sun six weeks after the accident, Magnussen continued to have breathing problems, having “compromised her ability to speak, impaired her vision, and left her chronically fatigued to the point that she [couldn’t] do her job.” Ammonia leaks happen. Not often, but often enough to cause concern.

So why do we use it? Ammonia has been used as a refrigerant since 1834, although not widespread until the late 1800’s. It was originally developed for the food and beverage industry. The first use for an ice rink was in London in 1876, followed by Madison Square Garden in 1879. Ammonia refrigeration is widely considered the most cost effective and energy efficient method and is one of the most abundant gasses found on earth. Following World War II, use of another refrigerant, R-22 (Freon), began to be used in rink buildings. While non-toxic, R-22 gained popularity

MAY | JUNE 2012

until concerns about ozone depletion caused the Montreal protocol- the elimination of R-22 by 2020. As of 2010, it is illegal to build new facilities using R-22, meaning most new arenas and retro-fits are being completed with ammonia systems. Although other refrigerants are being developed, ammonia is currently the best choice and with proper plant room and equipment designs, it should not pose a significant problem. It is equally important that the equipment and proper safety devices be maintained correctly and staff be trained on emergency procedures. Your nose is usually your first line of defense in detecting exposure to ammonia, as it has a distinct and irritating odor when released. Typically, people can smell ammonia starting at 5 parts per million (ppm). It won’t injure you until at least 300ppm (as listed in the IDLH – Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health, published by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health). The smell is similar to household cleaners like Windex. If you breathe ammonia into your lungs, you may cough, wheeze, or feel shortness of breath. Skin contact with ammonia can cause redness, pain, irritation, and burns.

Things to consider when you are in an arena: •

Does the arena have an ammonia system?

• Does

the system have an ammonia alarm system – siren and/or strobe light?

• The

door to the plant area should be closed at all times.

•

Does the arena have an evacuation plan? •

Where is the emergency assembly area?

•

Where are the safest exits in relation to the leak and what are are the wind conditions outside? You do not want to be downwind of any released ammonia.

•

If you smell ammonia, immediately move away from the area and alert the arena supervisor or manager

•

If you hear the ammonia alarm, observe the strobe light, or if arena personnel instruct you, proceed to the evacuation assembly area through the safest exit

•

If exposed to ammonia, immediately flush the affected areas with cold water for at least 15 minutes

•

Arena employees are responsible for recognizing the presence of ammonia, the dangers, and having a basic knowledge of first aid for those requiring it

Just remember, ammonia can be used safely if your arena follows standard guidelines for design, maintenance, and repair. As a coach, you can’t be responsible for that. What you are responsible for are following the procedures established by your facility and making sure your students and parents understand the safety procedures as well. For additional information, visit Safety and Health Topics/ Ammonia Refrigeration – OSHA– Occupational Safety and Health Administration, United States Department of Labor www.osha.gov/SLTC/ammoniarefrigeration/index.html This article is for general information only. The PSA does not make any warranty, expressed or implied, that your workplace is safe or healthful or that it complies with all state or federal laws, regulations or standards.

We’ve finally made it! Ok, I’m a little slow… But Champion Cords finally has a Facebook Page! http://www.facebook.com/ChampionCords Sheila Thelen Champion Cords – Alignment PRESIDENT – Champion Cords EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR –

Grassroots To Champions

Yes! Great video clips (from Young Artists Showcase), Suggestions from other coaches, photos, “how to” - etc! To celebrate (my finally getting around to this)

www.ChampionCords.com 20% OFF COUPON CODE: FBSPECIAL

SEE YOU AT THE PSA CONFERENCE IN BOSTON!! Send your photos and success stories to me at: sk8Thelen@aol.com Champion Cords can be purchased online at the PSA Store (www.skatepsa.com) »»CHAMPION CORDS ARE ENDORSED BY THE PSA

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Legal Ease DAVID SHULMAN

It Really Is Personal I

n the movie series of the Godfather, the Corleone family continues to remind us that much of the goings on wasâ&#x20AC;Ś. itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not personal, but only business. In the handling of the family estate planning, it is very much personal. In fact, in the preparation of a will, the person named to be responsible for the gathering of assets and following the will instruction fall to the personal representative to complete. The factors discussed in this article are generally the same for all kinds of legal documents where a person is appointed to carry out specific tasks. Here are some highlights to help in making a selection. FAMILY DYNAMICS Most often, clients pick a family member to act as personal representative (PR). When choosing a family member it is important to know how the children and any grandchildren get along with each other and can cooperate. The person selected to act as the PR should have some idea of what the person wanted to be done following the death of the of the person whose estate is being probated. The type of service to be conducted, the religious activity, whether a casket is to be opened or closed. I have seen conflicts develop over what scripture was to be used during the memorial service with anger running deep and lasting many years. Some family members get angry over not being chosen as PR, which was thought to mean they were not loved or trusted. If serious arguing develops over the selection of a family member as PR, you must consider going outside the family. Ultimately the PR must be accepted by all or a majority of the family as trustworthy and has the best interest of the estate and the person they are being asked to serve. AGE/ LOCATION When you are selecting PR consider the age of the person and where they reside relative to where the person whose estate is to be managed lives. While most states allow an out-of-state PR to be appointed, the court may request a bond be provided even if the person whose estate is the

MAY | JUNE 2012

issue specifically provided that no bond was to be required. Age must be considered as some running about is required. Death of a PR in the middle of an estate action just adds complications that burn up time and money. ABILITY Doing the work of a PR requires some abilities not given to everyone. Attention to detail is important. Working with numbers, like checkbook balancing, paying bills on time and understanding the associated paperwork are important duties. The favorite uncle who made everybody happy and always had a joke but never paid his debts would be a bad choice for PR. COMPENSATION There is the issue of whether to pay or not pay for the services provided by the PR. The general rule is a family member named as the PR does not get paid for performing the duty as PR. The reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses is not considered receipt of compensation. Many times there will be a specific gift named in the estate plan given to the PR. A non-family member would fall outside this general rule and a fee would be provided. Whatever is to be done, it must be fully reviewed and agreed upon when the estate document is being prepared. It is important in selecting a PR that all or a majority of family know and agree to what is going on and the plan of the estate. Surprise moves and unexpected situations should be avoided. Ideally you want the PR to be able to assist estate duties and willingly provide comfort to the family and of course to give security and peace of mind to the person whose estate is being planned. Once again, seek out the services of an attorney capable of providing professional high level service.

25 years of Patinage Magazine

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Penny Knuth Jacqueline Brenner Moira North Laurie Johnson-Krueger Carol Rossignol Lisa Semanko Cynthia Bear Katherine Nicoll Danielle Wisz Hall Kathy Goeke Carol Rossignol Carol Rossignol Bobby Martin Jami Bovid Tiffany Scott Erika Roberts Judi Lendino Victoria De Stefano Natalie Delarm Erin Donovan Karen Johnson Bobby Martin Thomas Amon Lisa Kriley Carol Rossignol Crystal David Carol Rossignol Stephanie Troyer David Santee Kris Shakarjian Bridget Dunn-Kaus Whitney Wappel Christy Ward Valentyn Nikolayev Carol Rossignol Carol Rossignol Trudy Oltmanns Carol Rossignol Carol Rossignol Cheryl Faust Cheryl Faust Raymond Laub Roberta Mitchell Carol Rossignol

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RANKING Now that the qualifying competition season is over, be sure to check out the PSA ranking requirements to see if you qualify for ranking or can upgrade your current ranking! The Professional Skaters Association Ranking System recognizes the career accomplishments of PSA coaches based on the performance of their skaters. The next deadline for ranking applications is July 1. All approved rankings are recognized at the annual conference in May. Visit www.skatepsa.com/Ratings and scroll down to Rankings for more information.

JOB PLACEMENTS The Vancouver Skating Club (VSC) is a

well established club operating out of the PNE Agrodome, Ice Sports North Shore and Karen Magnussen Arena. Programming runs 12 months of the year and includes CanSkate, CanPower, StarSkate – Beginner and Advanced, JumpStart and Competitive Figure Skating. Over 325 members. Over 100 Competitive skaters from Grassroots to Junior World level We are currently accepting applications for two full time coaching positions. Applicants must be enthusiastic, highly motivated professionals who demonstrate strong interpersonal skills with parents, children and fellow coaches. These highly motivated individuals must be prepared to be involved in all aspects of the club including off ice classes, CanSkate, StarSkate and Competitive skaters. These individuals must be organized and able to take on administrative duties. Teamwork is a must in this organization, both on, and off ice. Start date July, 2012 (negotiable). Please send all applications to: sharpedge@shaw.ca

Build your club/rink up!

High level PSA Coach Director, Dance Partner/ Zamboni Operator/Skate Sharpener, available for 365 day rink. Former U.S. Nat’l Nov. champ/ Int’l competitor. Insured/FBI APPROVED. sk8intl@yahoo.com http://skateinternational.webs.com 605 222-6938

Experienced & enthusiastic skating coaches wanted!

Growing Central NY club needs coaches for group & private lessons - all levels from basic skills to senior – freestyle, moves & dance. Coaches work as independent contractors. Season runs Sept-March. 8+ hours of ice per week. More info: cortlandskating.com. Send resume to: cortlandskating@gmail.com

Learn to perform under pressure.

Essential if you are to raise your game when the competition gets serious. Train with performance coach Cal Sutliff, author of Skating Out Of Your Mind, in a group that meets twice a month on the phone for an hour. Call Cal at (718) 434-3434 for a brochure and to discuss your situation.

S JOB

Job Placement Ads which advertise a job opportunity are $25 per 50 word insertion, $.25 for each additional word over 50. An additional $25 is required to place your job posting on the PSA web site. Copy should be sent to the PSA office at Lee Green’s attention one month prior to the publication of the intended issue.

DID YOU KNOW? Test Rule — Coaching Skaters may receive coaching or instruction from the sidelines while on the ice during warm-up periods and may also leave the ice surface for that purpose, provided such coaching or instruction does not interfere with the judging of another skater. However, coaching or instruction is not permitted during the actual performance of the candidate before the judges, nor may the coach be on the ice with the skater in the warm-up area. The judging panel may bar from the rink anyone who disregards this rule and may disqualify any candidate who receives coaching or instruction in violation of this rule. For the purpose of this rule, coaching will be considered any communication between the candidate and an instructor, parent or any other person. For example, a skater may briefly speak with their coach between elements of a moves in the field test, but not while changing directions or feet of an element. Similarly, a skater may briefly speak with their coach between the partnered portion of a dance test and the solo portion.

BABY

CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations to coach Beckey Watson-Ward and her husband, Steve Ward, on the birth of their daughter, Danielle Leigh Ward on February 29, 2012 (Leap Day) in Orlando, FL. Danielle weighed in at 7 lbs. 1 oz and was 19.5 inches long. Both parents and baby are doing well. Mike and Mandy Wagner of Rochester, Minnesota, celebrated the birth of their second daughter, Violet Jane Wagner, on February 28, 2012 at 11:40am. Violet weighed 5 pounds, 13 ounces, and has a proud older sister named Zoe.

DID YOU KNOW? Monty Hoyt was credited in 1964 at the U.S. Championships to be the first skater to wear red pants.

PS MAGAZINE

CALENDAR

EVENTS

M AY Date: Location: Event: Contact:

May 21-23 Area 8 Hyatt Regency Dearborn, 600 Town Center Drive, Dearborn, MI 48126 U.S. Figure Skating - NARCE Skating Director Course Susi Wehrli-McLaughlin 719-635-5200 ext. 423 swehrli@usfigureskating.org

Date: Location: Event: Contact: Deadlines:

May 21-23 Area 2 Boston Park Plaza & Towers, 50 Park Plaza at Arlington St, Boston, MA Zone 1: Oral Rating site at 2012 PSA Conference PSA Office at ratings@skatepsa.com or 507-281-5122 Oral Rating Exams: March 19, 2012 Written Exams: April 23, 2012

Date: Location: Event: Contact: Deadline:

May 24-26 Area 2 Boston Park Plaza & Towers, Boston, MA 2012 PSA Conferences & Trade Show PSA Office at office@skatepsa.com or 507-281-5122 Advanced Deadline: April 15, 2012

JUNE J U LY Date: Location: Event: Contact: Deadlines:

July 25 Area 6 University of Delaware, Newark, DE Zone 1: Oral Rating site at Elite Synchro Coaches College PSA Office at ratings@skatepsa.com or 507-281-5122 Oral Rating Exams: May 29, 2012

AUGUST Date: Location: Event: Contact: Deadline:

August 13-14 Area 9 Cleveland Skating Club, Cleveland, OH Rating Zone 2: Oral Rating Site PSA Office 507-281-5122 or byackel@skatepsa.com Register online at www.skatepsa.com Oral Rating Exams June 11, 2012

Date: August 15-16 Area 9 Location: Cleveland Skating Club, Cleveland, OH Event: PACE/OH Contact: PSA Office 507-281-5122 or byackel@skatepsa.com Register online at www.skatepsa.com Deadline: July 16, 2012

SEPTEMBER Date: Location: Event: Contact: Deadline:

September 15 Area 11 The Skatium, Skokie, IL Rating Zone 4: Oral Rating Site PSA Office 507-281-5122 or byackel@skatepsa.com Register online at www.skatepsa.com Oral Rating Exams July 16, 2012

MAY | JUNE 2012

See pag e 26 fo r a list of the

2012 N ationw Semina ide rs

Date: Location: Event: Contact: Deadline:

September 16 Area 11 The Skatium, Skokie, IL Entry Level Coaching Course (ELCC) [8 am - 5 pm] PSA Office at 507-281-5122 or byackel@skatepsa.com Register online at www.skatepsa.com August 27, 2012

O C TO B E R Date: Location: Event: Contact: Deadline:

October 5-6 Area 7 Jacksonville Ice & Sportsplex, Jacksonville, FL Rating Zone 1: Oral Rating Site PSA Office 507-281-5122 or byackel@skatepsa.com Register online at www.skatepsa.com Oral Rating Exams August 6, 2012

Date: Location: Event: Contact: Deadline:

October 7 Area 7 Jacksonville Ice & Sportsplex, Jacksonville, FL Entry Level Coaching Course (ELCC) [8 am - 5 pm] PSA Office at 507-281-5122 or byackel@skatepsa.com Register online at www.skatepsa.com September 10, 2012

Date: Location: Event: Contact: Deadline:

October 26-28 Area 16 Scottsdale, AZ Rating Zone 5: Master Oral Rating Site PSA Office 507-281-5122 or byackel@skatepsa.com Register online at www.skatepsa.com Oral Rating Exams August 27, 2012

Please visit www.skatepsa.com for the complete Calendar of Events

PS MAGAZINE

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