America’s newly crowned queen of figure skating captured another gold medal at the 2012 Four Continents Championships this weekend in Colorado Springs, Co. Ashley skated with attack, elegance and poise leaving no doubt she meant business. Having mere days to make technical corrections since winning the 2012 US championships she displayed her season’s best 128.34 and overtook Japan's Mao Asada in the process. Ashley moved across the country to train with the legendary coach John Nicks and Phillip Mills in June of 2011. This seems to have been the key to allowing her to blossom into the confident lady who is up for any skating challenge. Momentum is now building for her as she returns to Aliso Viejo to train for the upcoming 2012 World Figure Skating Championships beginning March 28 in Nice, France. See www.icenetwork.com for streaming options, and www.universalsports.com for more information.
Perhaps an even bigger thrill was to see American Caroline Zhang's triumph after such a hard fought journey. Caroline enjoyed success early in her career winning the 2007 World Junior Championships and earning many medals internationally. Then she went through a growth spurt and body changes that happen to everyone, only hers took place on a world stage. Technique that served her as a 13 year old no longer held up among the senior ranks and Caroline floundered for a few years, changing coaches many times until finally finding what she needed with Peter Oppegard and Karen Kwan-Oppegard. The trio has worked extremely hard to break down old habits and give the California girl the tools with which to shine. She, like Ashley Wagner also improved since the recent national championships and brought the audience to their feet scoring her season’s best 117.44 earning her the bronze medal.
Looking ahead to the 2012 World Championships in France, our ladies team will be well represented by US champion Ashley Wagner, and former champion and current US silver medalist Alissa Czisny. Both ladies now have a chance to rest and regroup before taking on the recently crowned European champion Italy's Carolina Costner.
Do you love the artistry and excitement of figure skating? Skating can be a fun way to get in shape and catch up with friends. Contact your local Orlando skating rinks for information about classes, skate times, and private lessons: Space Coast Iceplex www.spacecoasticeplex.com, The Ice Factory www.icefactory.com, RDV Sportsplex http://www.rdvsportsplex.com/florida-orlando-rdv-sportsplex-ice-den.
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