ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2011- Moscow, Russia April 24, May 1

In its statement of March 21, 2011 the ISU communicated the decision of the Japan Skating Federation (JSF) to decline holding the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2011, initially allotted to the JSF and scheduled to be held in Tokyo, Japan this week.

In the meantime, the ISU has received applications to hold the Event during the months of April or May of this year from its Member federations in Austria (Graz), Canada (Vancouver), Croatia (Zagreb), Finland (Turku), Russia (Moscow) and USA (Colorado Springs or Lake Placid).

The ISU thanks those Member federations for their spontaneous reaction during these truly dramatic and exceptional circumstances emanating from the crisis in Japan and highly appreciates their efforts for having prepared an application on such short notice. The ISU reiterates that in the light of the dramatic situation in Japan the staging of sporting events becomes relatively secondary and a solution satisfying all involved is extremely difficult. Nevertheless, it is in the best interest of the ISU and its Members to hold the Championships as soon as possible.

The ISU has reviewed all applications received and after careful evaluation the ISU Council decided to allot the Championships to the Figure Skating Federation of Russia, to be held in the Megasport Arena in Moscow/Russia, on April 24-May 1, 2011.

The organization of this major Event with little time to prepare will require a high level effort from the Figure Skating Federation of Russia which has assured the ISU of its full cooperation including in areas such as easy access to entry visas and security. The preparation for the updating of all relevant details (time schedule, Announcement, entry confirmations etc) have already begun and the ISU will revert as soon as possible with the necessary information.

Under these extraordinary circumstances the ISU asks for the full cooperation and understanding of the skating community and all involved entities in making this a successful Event. The full cooperation of all participating ISU Member federations hopefully attending in full strength will be of utmost importance.

Finally, the ISU is convinced that the Japanese delegation coming to Moscow deserves and will receive special attention and respect. At a time like this, words cannot express feelings but the ISU wants to let the skating friends of the Japan Skating Federation and the people of Japan know that the thoughts and wishes of the Skating family continue to remain with them.

isu.org

Japan Earthquake/Tsunami - 2011 World Championships postponed/could be canceled

ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2011 Tokyo

Lausanne, March 14, 2011

Taking into account the continued critical developments in Japan, the ISU’s primary concern for the safety of all participants, spectators and members of concerned entities as well as the travel advisories from many governments to avoid travel to Japan until the situation is settled, the ISU in consultation and agreement with the Japan Skating Federation (JSF) and in line with the advise of the Japanese authorities, has concluded that the staging of the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2011 scheduled to be held on March 21-27, 2011 is not possible and the Championships will not be held during that time.

The postponement of the Event or alternatively the final cancellation is under evaluation.

The same applies to the ISU World Team Trophy in Figure Skating scheduled to be held in Yokohama on April 14-17, 2011.

It is understood that a postponement of the above-mentioned World Championships as well as the holding of the ISU World Team Trophy is subject to the confirmation by the competent Japanese authorities that the situation is back to normal conditions allowing the safe conduct of major ISU sports Events in the Tokyo area.

As soon as the situation in this respect has been finalized, the ISU will inform all parties concerned of the decision taken.

Ottavio Cinquanta Fredi Schmid

President Director General

isu.org

ISU says Tokyo world figure skating venue intact

The International Skating Union says it has no plans to cancel the figure skating world championships in Tokyo, which is scheduled to begin on March 21.

ISU spokeswoman Selina Vanier tells The Associated Press that the Yoyogi National Stadium appears to be unscathed by an earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan on Friday.

Vanier says Japanese Skating Federation officials have made "an initial assessment and there is no damage."

The stadium was built 50 years ago in the Shibuya district as a venue for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.

Vanier says the ISU would be in contact with Japanese officials before changing plans for the weeklong event.

universalsports.com

Morozov's team was already training in Japan, everyone is OK. Florent Amodio tweeted two hours ago:

florentamodio i'm fine and our team too !!

Volosozhar and Trankov of Russia landed with their coaches a few hours before the quake but have been in contact with the Russian Federation. (source)

Please pray for Japan.

Zhang, Toth end professional relationship

Felicia Zhang and Taylor Toth, the 2010 U.S. junior pairs champions, announced Thursday they have ended their two-year partnership.

"We want to thank our coaches and the staff at U.S. Figure Skating for the abiding support and dedication," Toth said.

After competing at two events in the 2009 International Skating Union (ISU) Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series, Zhang and Toth captured the junior title at the 2010 AT&T U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Spokane, Wash. They wrapped up the 2009-10 season at the 2010 ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships, where they finished 10th.

This season saw Zhang and Toth finish seventh at the Nebelhorn Trophy, seventh at Skate America and fifth at Trophée Eric Bompard. The team withdrew from the 2011 AT&T U.S. Figure Skating Championships, when Zhang, suffering from bruised ribs, was unable to perform many of the required elements for pairs.

Both athletes intend to continue skating pairs and are looking for new partners.

"I plan to pursue my passion as a pairs skater and begin, with much verve, on a search for a partner to compete next season," Toth said.

Zhang also plans to continue her singles career. She has competed at the U.S. Championships in singles three of the last four years, winning the novice bronze medal in 2008 and placing sixth as a junior in 2010.

"I would like to thank Taylor for the experience-filled two seasons we had together and wish him the best of luck in the future," Zhang said.


icenetwork.com

Denney, Barrett announce end of partnership

Caydee Denney and Jeremy Barrett, who represented the United States in pairs at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, British Columbia, announced Thursday they have ended their three-year partnership.

Denney and Barrett's competitive career began in 2008 and includes three medals at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships: silver in 2009, gold in 2010 and bronze in 2011. The team finished 13th at the 2010 Olympic Games and followed that with a seventh-place finish at the 2010 World Figure Skating Championships in Torino, Italy.

Their best finish in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series was fourth, which they accomplished twice, once at the 2009 NHK Trophy and again at 2010 Skate America.

"We are thankful to all our coaches and their contributions to our success," Denney said. "We have been blessed to have such an amazing journey."

Denney plans to continue her skating career. "I feel I'm just starting to scratch the surface when it comes to what I'm capable of," Denney said. "My goal is to find a new partner and begin competing again by next season."

"Caydee was such a good partner," Barrett said. "I know she will be successful in whatever she decides to do."

Barrett intends to stay active in skating by coaching and performing in shows.

"I feel happy with everything that I have accomplished," Barrett said. "I look forward to giving back to the sport that has given so much to me."


icenetwork.com

Comments from Dube, Davison on split

Three-time Canadian pair champions Jessica Dube and Bryce Davison have ended their partnership after nine years as a team. They spoke to the media Thursday about their decision to split. Here are some comments from that press conference.

Three-time Canadian pair champions Jessica Dube and Bryce Davison have ended their partnership after nine years as a team. The duo planned to compete this season, but was forced to sit out after Davison underwent knee surgery in October.

The 2008 world bronze medalists spoke to the media Thursday about their decision to split. Here are some comments from that press conference:

On why the team split...

Jessica Dube: In the last couple months I've been doing singles and doing other stuff. I had a lot of things change in my life and I really enjoyed it that way. I found some kind of spark again inside of me and I didn't really want to lose that. It's really bad timing with the injury, but I needed something to remind me of how I enjoy skating. I guess the injury made me realize that and that there was a lot of other things in life I wanted to change like go back to school and maybe do singles again and it made me make that decision.

On whether they will look for new partners...

JD: I love to do pairs. If the right person came along I would look at the opportunity and consider it. I'm not saying I'm not ever going to do pairs again because I love it too much to just put it behind me.

Bryce Davison: When you've had success in something, you don't want to take massive steps backwards... It would have to be a very special partner to step into the top 10 in the world right away...It's not easy to find a partner at that level. I'll look, but at the same time you have to keep all your options very open and realize there's more to life than just skating...You keep your options open and see what presents itself.

On if Davison was surprised the partnership ended...

BD: A little bit of a surprise, yes...I was focused on healing and getting back. That was my main goal. When I sat back and looked at it, that's when I said, ‘This is not a bad thing.' I totally respect her decisions for ending it. It wasn't something I was surprised and got mad about. It has been a large part of our lives, so it's always going to be disappointing when it ends, but there is going to be a time when it ends, no matter what.

On whether they have spent much time together since Davison's surgery in October...

BD: Jess and I have been talking the entire season while I have been injured, but because of the extent of my injuries I wasn't able to live by myself because I was fully non-weight bearing. Couldn't drive, couldn't do anything for three months. I was living with my parents, which is an interesting thing when you haven't since you were 14, so we were talking the whole time, but we haven't seen each other too much... It's not necessarily that we drifted apart, but it made us step back and look at things.

Davison's top moments from their partnership...

BD: When we made the Olympic team for Torino was definitely one of my highs, but also when we skated for the first time in London after our accident. When I look back at it that was probably my most terrifying moment as a figure skater, but my most special memory that I will never ever forget.

universalsports.com

Canadian pair Dube, Davison end partnership

Three-time Canadian pair champions Jessica Dube and Bryce Davison have ended their partnership after nine years as a team. The duo planned to compete this season, but was forced to sit out after Davison underwent knee surgery in October.

Three-time Canadian pair champions Jessica Dube and Bryce Davison have ended their partnership after nine years as a team. The duo planned to compete this season, but was forced to sit out after Davison underwent knee surgery in October.

Dube and Davison's best international result was a bronze medal from the 2008 World Championships. They had hoped to challenge for an Olympic medal at the Vancouver Games, but struggled with consistency during the Olympic season and finished sixth.

The pair may be most well know for a horrific accident at 2007 Four Continents, where Davison's blade sliced Dube's cheek on a side-by-side spin.

Both Dube and Davison plan to stay involved in figure skating. Dube competed as a singles skater at the Canadian Championships in January, finishing sixth.

universalsports.com