Hann-McCurdy, Coreno retire from competitive skating

After seven years of skating together, ice dancers Allie Hann-McCurdy and Michael Coreno have decided to take a new direction in their skating careers. Hann-McCurdy and Coreno have hung up their competitive skates and will now use their experiences to coach skaters in Ottawa at the Gloucester Skating Club.

Hann-McCurdy and Coreno are looking forward to enjoying life after years of competitive skating. "We would like to share all the knowledge and experiences we have gained in the seven years we have skated together with younger skaters and have decided to do this through coaching and volunteering. We feel this way we can help give back and thank those who made our journey possible"

The 2006 Canadian junior champions, 2008 senior bronze medalists and national team members closed off the 2009-2010 season with a silver medal at the 2010 ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Korea. They also finished fifth at the 2010 BMO Canadian Figure Skating Championships.

"Allie and Mike have been great representatives for Canada at the many events they competed in. It was exciting to see them earn a spot on the Canadian team and compete at the 2008 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden," said Mike Slipchuk, Director High Performance. "We are glad to see that they will continue to stay involved with skating and we wish them the best of luck."

Their trainer Dylan Harries of Body Rock Fitness also commented on their transition from competitive skating.

"It is a sad day, because I believe Mike and Allie were at the stage of their skating career where they were both letting the creative side of their skating shine through. But on the other side, it is a day of celebrating new beginnings. It has been a pleasure and honor to work with them over the past eight years as their physical and mental trainer. Mike and Allie's hard work ethic on and off the ice and also their true love for the sport makes them role models for young skaters across the country. I wish them both all the best in their future endeavors,"

Hann-McCurdy has been accepted to Carleton University and will start school in the fall, and Coreno will continue his studies at Athabasca University online. Combined with their NCCP Level 1 and their Can-Fit Pro Personal Trainer Certification they will both begin coaching careers at the Gloucester Skating Club.

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