2019 PSA COACH of the YEAR: Laura Lipetsky

By Terri Milner Tarquini

2019 PSA Coach of the Year Laura Lipetsky came this-close to missing her own induction ceremony.

“In my mind, the biggest thing, always, is working with my students and being there for them, so I hadn’t planned on going,” Lipetsky said. “I miss family events; I rarely take vacation. Really, I work 24/7, but I know what a huge honor it is.”

Lipetsky joins the ranks of some of figure skating’s most influential coaches, including Patrice Lauzon (2018), Tammy Gambill (2017), Rafael Arutyunyan (2016, 2015), Marina Zoueva (2014, 2011), Tom Zakrajsek (2009), Audrey Weisiger (1999), Carol Heiss Jenkins (1996) and three-time inductee Frank Carroll (2001, 2000, 1997).

“So many amazing coaches have won this honor,” Lipetsky said. “Frank Carroll is someone I really look up to. He has coached so many champions; he’s a legend. I saw him at the conference after I won, and he congratulated me. He is such an amazing coach, but it’s his character that makes him such a great role model.”

Lipetsky’s deep-in-the-trenches mentality has led to big things for dynamo Alysa Liu and, quite possibly, the future of U.S. ladies figure skating.

“To be a great coach, you can never stop learning, so I like to look at other legendary coaches as well... As I hope to one day become a legendary coach, I will never forget those that helped me.”

“We still need to work just as hard, if not harder,” said Lipetsky, who has coached the 13-year-old Liu since she was five and in Lipetsky’s beginning skating class. “She won the national title, but we’re looking toward even bigger things in the future.”

Liu’s two record-breaking programs—loaded with eight triples in the free skate alone—put her in the record books twice: as the youngest skater in the history of the U.S. Figure Skating Championships to land the triple

Axel (to be clear: that was three triple Axels over the two programs) and the youngest U.S. national champion. “We have to aim higher and higher and never stand still,” Lipetsky said. “Everyone is going to work harder to try to beat her and we just have to keep working for greater heights.” While Lipetsky wasn’t surprised by Liu’s performances at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships—

Coach Lipetsky with skater Alysa Liu

Photo courtesy Laura Lipetsky

“She always steps up to a challenge and what she did is what she does in practice every day”—she was wowed by the recognition coming her way.

“It never occurred to me that I would be named Coach of the Year,” said Lipetsky, who had been nominated in 2018 for Developmental Coach of the Year. “I never thought of the reward for me. All I think about is digging in and helping this girl to be the best in the world. And now it’s going to take a lot more of what we’ve been doing for her to get even better.”

Talk about a sentiment fit for a Coach of the Year.

“My drive comes from trying to get all of my students to be the best they can be,” Lipetsky said. “Whether it’s learning a waltz jump or the triple Axel or even basic skating skills, all of it takes a lot of work.”

While Lipetsky is a regular at U.S. Figure Skating’s Athlete Acceleration Summit and Jump On It! camps, she was a first timer at the PSA Conference.

“I really enjoyed the discussion on coach development that explained different coaching styles and brings awareness to evaluating yourself and how you coach,” she said. “The best thing at the PSA conference was getting to hear Frank Carroll and Mr. Nick’s interview by Mitch Moyer. They are both legends in this sport and I enjoy hearing about their experiences as a coach. I was privileged to take from Frank Carroll and other great coaches. I am thankful to have Frank as a great mentor.”

Lipetsky draws inspiration from many sources, citing basketball coach John Wooden: “Never forget those who helped you on your way up” and “Make each day your masterpiece.”

“To be a great coach, you can never stop learning, so I like to look at other legendary coaches as well,” she said. “As I hope to one day become a legendary coach, I will never forget those that helped me. Also the skaters I coach, I hope to make an impact in their lives.”

And when there’s continual learning to be done—and World and Olympic medals out there for the taking— Lipetsky has zero time for resting on her laurels.

“Alysa is going into the Junior Grand Prix this season,” Lipetsky said. “There are a lot of eyes on us. It’s time to set the standard and stay ahead of everyone else out there. There are a lot more titles to be won.”