Jennifer Kirk has left Richard Callaghan

[snoopysnake]

http://www.figureskatersonline.com/jenniferkirk/

News from her own web site.

I think she made some good progress with Callaghan, but something's amiss with all these young ladies parting ways with him (Nicole, Tara, Shizuka, I think he coached Angela Nikodinov for a while, etc. etc.) I guess Todd's the only pupil for Callaghan; no one else seems to click with him.

[Schmeck]

"Jenny Kirk Online is no longer available" 8O

What's going on?

[Alexa]

"Jenny Kirk Online is no longer available" 8O

What's going on?

I was just wondering the same thing.

In regard to Callaghan, Tara won the Olympics while with him, so I don't think she is a good example of someone parting ways. It is not very surprising for an athlete to change their training/coaches after leaving the eligible world. The coaches tend to want to focus on those that are competing.

[AxelAnnie22]

I was just wondering the same thing.

In regard to Callaghan, Tara won the Olympics while with him, so I don't think she is a good example of someone parting ways. It is not very surprising for an athlete to change their training/coaches after leaving the eligible world. The coaches tend to want to focus on those that are competing.
And Nicole Bobek had her most successful year with Mr.Callaghan. She left everybody all the time, so it's hard to make any kind of correllation using her.

[Blue Ridge]

What did the announcement on the site say, does anyone remember? I'm a little concerned about her leaving her coach with no new coach AND her website being taken down, seems a bit ominous, I hope she isn't thinking of leaving skating.

[SkateFan123]

What did the announcement on the site say, does anyone remember? I'm a little concerned about her leaving her coach with no new coach AND her website being taken down, seems a bit ominous, I hope she isn't thinking of leaving skating.
I was on the site linked in the beginning post this morning, it worked fine.

[Alexa]

I was on the site linked in the beginning post this morning, it worked fine.

Could you please tell us what it said?

[SkateFan123]

Could you please tell us what it said?
May 9, 2004
The United States Figure Skating Association has recently announced the team envelopes for the upcoming season. I was named to "Team B" along with Ann Patrice McDonough, Kimmie Meissner, and Katy Taylor.

In other news, I recently left Richard Callaghan. I am in the process of searching for a new coach.

That's all it said.

[Blue Ridge]

Thanks, SkateFan123

[Alexa]

Thanks from me also! Just wondering--was she previously on Team A, or has she always been B? Does USFSA post a list of who is on A and B?

[Sylvia]

Just wondering--was she previously on Team A, or has she always been B? Does USFSA post a list of who is on A and B?

I believe Kirk was on Team B last year and named again to Team B for 2004-05.

I've started a new thread for the 2004-05 team envelopes (Teams A, B, C and Reserve) at:
http://www.skatingforums.com/showthread.php?t=13863

Edited to add: Kirk was last on Team A during the 2002-03 season (due to her gold medal at 2002 Four Continents).

[celtic]

I was on the site linked in the beginning post this morning, it worked fine.


I just tried the link and received the message that it is no longer available. I tried going to the home page and clicking on Jenny's name, and received the same message.

[SkateFan123]

I just tried the link and received the message that it is no longer available. I tried going to the home page and clicking on Jenny's name, and received the same message.
Too funny, I just got there. I have no clue how to explain that!

[icedancer2]

I keep thinking that I read somewhere, or heard somewhere that Richard Callahan has been retiring, or trying to retire, for years now -- is that him, or is it someone else??

[dr.frog]

I keep thinking that I read somewhere, or heard somewhere that Richard Callahan has been retiring, or trying to retire, for years now -- is that him, or is it someone else??

Callaghan announced his retirement in March 1999 when he left the Detroit Skating Club. He told the Free Press that he didn't want to teach any more and definitely wanted to do something different. That was right before the business with Craig Maurizi filing a grievance against him came out into the open. Guess he didn't see any reason to retire after all, after the USFSA refused to do anything about the grievance. :roll:

[alexeiluvr]

Just out of curiosity...I heard somewhere that Richard Callaghan is gay. Is that true? (Sorry bout the stupid question.)
By the way, Jenny Kirk's site wouldn't work for me either.

[MizEdiesBoy]

I think it's Jennifer, not Callaghan. After all, she left Mary and Evy Scotvold, who were fine coaches who worked with Paul Wylie and Nancy Kerrigan. I think it's in her court now -- she was the one who choked at Worlds, not Callaghan.

[charlie]

Any guesses about where she might be going? I'm not trying to start rumors here- just trying to think about what the possible coaching options are right now. Anybody think Frank Carroll might be a possibility for Jenny?

[skatewizard]

Although any coach would be thrilled to work with Jenny, no rule says she has to go to one of the "super" coaches. She could end up anywhere she feels comfortable. Most likely she's trying out different coaches to try and see what feels right to her now. There is no hurry as she has a bye to nationals.

[skatepixie]

I think it's Jennifer, not Callaghan. After all, she left Mary and Evy Scotvold, who were fine coaches who worked with Paul Wylie and Nancy Kerrigan. I think it's in her court now -- she was the one who choked at Worlds, not Callaghan.

I dont think thats nice to say at all. On the 1st day of practices at Worlds, her aunt died. They were quite close and her aunt was very supportive of her skating. I can definitaly understand why she might have not done as well as she hoped.

[SkateFan123]

I dont think thats nice to say at all. On the 1st day of practices at Worlds, her aunt died. They were quite close and her aunt was very supportive of her skating. I can definitaly understand why she might have not done as well as she hoped.
Thank you for the reply! And for the information. I agree the other post was not so nice but didn't answer since I just am tired of the wars created here online. I really appreciate the info about JK's aunt!

I wish Jk well in finding a coach and in a continued success in her career.

[MizEdiesBoy]

I dont think thats nice to say at all. On the 1st day of practices at Worlds, her aunt died. They were quite close and her aunt was very supportive of her skating. I can definitaly understand why she might have not done as well as she hoped.

Didn't know her aunt died. Sorry to hear that. But I still think she should have stayed with Callaghan.

[dr.frog]

But I still think she should have stayed with Callaghan.

You know, it kind of boggles my mind to see fans who don't know any of the principals directly making statements like this about what skaters "should" do. Same goes for people saying that partners that have broken up should have stayed together, etc. None of *us* really know what is going on in these situations and it seems to me that the people who are directly involved in it -- the skaters and possibly their families -- are the only ones in a position to judge what they "should" do about it. Only they can judge how miserable they are, how unproductive a relationship has become, and whether they would simply rather be doing something else at that point in their lives.

I have to say that in the instances where I have heard details about why a partership or coaching relationship failed, I've never had reason to doubt that it would have been a mistake to try to continue, too. Give these people some credit for knowing how to run their own lives.

[Trillian]

I hadn't seen the news about Jenny's aunt reported anywhere, but if that is true, it certainly explains a lot about her performances at worlds. I felt from watching that the problem looked a lot less like lack of preparation or ability, and a lot more like her heart just wasn't in it (which I thought was uncharacteristic of her because she hasn't tended to be a skater for whom "attack" is a problem). If she was dealing with a difficult personal situation, it all makes more sense.

That said, next season is going to be a crucial time if she wants to have any shot at the 2006 Olympic team, and I hope whatever's happening now, she'll end up being prepared. Leaving a coach is not always a bad decision--from what I've heard of the atmosphere with the Scotvolds, I don't consider that one an unwise move at all. But having the right new coach soon afterward (if not immediately) is generally a good idea, so I hope that doesn't become too much of a problem.

[skatepixie]

Peggy and Dick talked about it during Marshalls...

[Trillian]

Sorry, I don't usually watch the "fluff" competitions. Explains why I missed it, though. :)

[SkateFan123]

You know, it kind of boggles my mind to see fans who don't know any of the principals directly making statements like this about what skaters "should" do. Same goes for people saying that partners that have broken up should have stayed together, etc. None of *us* really know what is going on in these situations and it seems to me that the people who are directly involved in it -- the skaters and possibly their families -- are the only ones in a position to judge what they "should" do about it. Only they can judge how miserable they are, how unproductive a relationship has become, and whether they would simply rather be doing something else at that point in their lives.

I have to say that in the instances where I have heard details about why a partership or coaching relationship failed, I've never had reason to doubt that it would have been a mistake to try to continue, too. Give these people some credit for knowing how to run their own lives.
My thoughts exactly! No one knows why JK left RC. Why bother to speculate? It's her choice. I just hope she find the success she is looking for.

[Carpe Diem]

Do you think that Tatiana Tarasova would be a good choice?

Also, in the Chicago area, there was a wonderful coach (former Polish? pairs skater) who brought a couple of her students several years ago to the annual Cherry Blossom competition in D.C. These students, Arim Choi and Carena(?) Chin were just outstanding and truly were the highlights of the Junior Ladies comp. Those of you in the Chicago area who know this coach, do you think Jenny would do well by her?

[celtic]

Do you think that Tatiana Tarasova would be a good choice?

Also, in the Chicago area, there was a wonderful coach (former Polish? pairs skater) who brought a couple of her students several years ago to the annual Cherry Blossom competition in D.C. These students, Arim Choi and Carena(?) Chin were just outstanding and truly were the highlights of the Junior Ladies comp. Those of you in the Chicago area who know this coach, do you think Jenny would do well by her?

I think you mean Maria Jezak. She coached Evan Lysacek briefly. A lot of her students who used to skate for the U.S. skate for other countries, like Maggie Leski.

[alexeiluvr]

I think Robin Wagner would be a good choice for Jenny!! 8-)

[Twizzler]

Maybe Carol Heiss Jenkins would be good. She has that surrogate mom style that might be good for Jenny.

[MizEdiesBoy]

You know, it kind of boggles my mind to see fans who don't know any of the principals directly making statements like this about what skaters "should" do. Same goes for people saying that partners that have broken up should have stayed together, etc. None of *us* really know what is going on in these situations and it seems to me that the people who are directly involved in it -- the skaters and possibly their families -- are the only ones in a position to judge what they "should" do about it. Only they can judge how miserable they are, how unproductive a relationship has become, and whether they would simply rather be doing something else at that point in their lives.

I have to say that in the instances where I have heard details about why a partership or coaching relationship failed, I've never had reason to doubt that it would have been a mistake to try to continue, too. Give these people some credit for knowing how to run their own lives.

But I am still entitled to my opinion - regardless of what you might think.

[??!!?]

But I am still entitled to my opinion - regardless of what you might think.

Yeah; but at the same time you seem incredibly judgmental, small minded, and ignorant.

[MizEdiesBoy]

Yeah; but at the same time you seem incredibly judgmental, small minded, and ignorant.

And you seem cowardly -- you don't even have cojones enough to use your real screen name. You are truly a pitiful person.

[jcspkbfan]

I think Robin Wagner would be a good choice for Jenny!! 8-)

I'm not sure how Robin would handle coaching two elite ladies' skaters at the same time, but if everyone involved agreed to the situation, I actually think it would be a good idea that would help both Jenny and Sasha! Perhaps having to train with each other at the same rink every day would help both skaters push each other more and help them fight the consistency problems both of them have had in competition over the years.

[barnita]

At the bottom of this article, there's a piece on Jenny. Looks like she will be living in L.A.


http://www.freep.com/sports/othersports/oly20_20040520.htm

[Schmeck]

.. and she had a 'try-out' with Frank Carroll 8-)

[bostonskater]

Jennie has been skating at Boston skating club for the last 3 weeks off and on. She was there on Friday of last week and today. She skated the whole week before that in Boston. Jennie has not been working with any coaches that I noticed. Her skating looks good some jumps that she was having trouble with were 3toe 3toe and 3sow but her other jumps looked good. Very pretty girl up close. IMO I think she looks to thin.

[Debbie S]

Hmmm, maybe Jenny wants to come back to the east coast. Maybe she'll train at U Del (with her old Scotvold-era training buddy Jennifer Don) and then I can see her practice at my rink on weekends. Oh well, I can dream, can't I? :)

Seriously, there are a lot of great coaches at U Del. From what I've heard, Priscilla Hill is booked solid, but there are plenty of good coaches there that Jenny could work with. In Boston, she could work with Mark Mitchell, but from what I've read, he's very busy.

[MQSeries]

I don't think any coaches that Jenny has at this point in her career is going to be able to substantially fix her flutzing technique. She has been going into that jump pretty much the same way all her life, and it'll always be her nemesis. Her axel technique is also scary.

I do like the fact that Jenny is using a new choreographer this year. Richard Callahan always uses the same Russian choreographer for most of his students, and I have never like any of the long programs that she did for Todd. She also did the Mummy program for Nikodinov that caused Dick Button to label Nikokinov his "refrigerator break". Lori Nicols is an ok choice for now, but I think Lori's Queen program this year for Timothy this past season was just horrible.

[Debbie S]

Well, there goes my dream of Jenny training at U Del. She's definitely moving to CA. Her coach will be announced when a written contract is signed. I assume she'll be with Frank Carroll, or one of his assistants.

http://bladesonice.com/mag/blaweb1.htm

Oh, and Jenny and Evan Lysacek are a couple. Not the most obvious pairing, but she sounds happy.

[PaulWyliefan]

Sorry to get off-topic for a moment, but that article also says Paul Wylie's doing choreography now! How exciting!! :-)