Mirai Nagasu | Golden Skate

Mirai Nagasu

AdamFan

Rinkside
Joined
Nov 14, 2005
There has been some rumbling that Mirai changed coaches. Does anyone know if this is correct?

What is the latest on Mirai? She was at the USOC Media Summit.

Has anyone heard anything about her commentary at Worlds? How was it?
 

Wrlmy

Medalist
Joined
Jun 17, 2007
I don't think she did any "commentary" for Fuji. AFAIK, she just talked about how she looks up to skaters like Mao and Yuna.

If she changed her coach, which doesn't surprises me as her relationship with Charlene seemed shaky, I hope she went to a jump specialist like Raphael. She has nothing to lose at this point, and reworking her techniques will be a great long-term strategy.
 

AdamFan

Rinkside
Joined
Nov 14, 2005
My first thought when I heard this was "I wonder if she went to Frank Carroll?"

Is Bebe even skating anymore?

I think Frank would be wonderful for Mirai...and perhaps she could keep him coaching for a few more years. Mirai's skating could use some polish and Frank is just the person to give her that. Frank and Ken could also work on her jumping technique.

Given that Charlene's only other top student was Amber Corwin (who also had horrible jumping technique), I think a coaching change would be a smart move.

I don't see her working with Artounian, because he has taken on Sasha as a student.

Does anyone know which part of LA Frank works in, compared to where Mirai is from? Would it be doable?
 

dorispulaski

Wicked Yankee Girl
Joined
Jul 26, 2003
Country
United-States
Do you feel Frank is a good jump coach? Frankly, I've always felt he was more of a polisher than someone who fixed stuff. There is a reason that Michelle went to Arutunian after she came back from being coachless.

Plus Bebe (who had all the jumps when she went to Frank) was never able, after her growth spurt to get back her jumps. And he never fixed her flutz. And Frank was no help when Tim's jumps went south (of course, Tim had pain management issues too, so I wouldn't judge by his example).

The only example of a textbook jumper that Frank coached would be Chris Bowman, and Frank had him from when he was a very young kid. So I have to presume Frank can teach good tech, but I have yet to see him change someone's tech successfully.

Even Linda Fratianne had those odd pointed heels when she jumped.
 

janetfan

Match Penalty
Joined
May 15, 2009
Do you feel Frank is a good jump coach? Frankly, I've always felt he was more of a polisher than someone who fixed stuff. There is a reason that Michelle went to Arutunian after she came back from being coachless.

Plus Bebe (who had all the jumps when she went to Frank) was never able, after her growth spurt to get back her jumps. And he never fixed her flutz. And Frank was no help when Tim's jumps went south (of course, Tim had pain management issues too, so I wouldn't judge by his example).

The only example of a textbook jumper that Frank coached would be Chris Bowman, and Frank had him from when he was a very young kid. So I have to presume Frank can teach good tech, but I have yet to see him change someone's tech successfully.

Even Linda Fratianne had those odd pointed heels when she jumped.


Mentioning Linda always brings back memories of one of the worst cases of Soviet led bloc voting in Olympic history. Linda wuz robbed in 1980 and only a sellout from the judges gave the mediocre E.German skater the Gold medal. I mean what a joke that Linda was placed second.

I see Mirai as having some wonderful qualities and would think Frank might be good for her. As far as teaching, Frank has already taught two of the best ladies of their respective eras in Linda and Michelle so there should be little doubt he knows how to coach.
Frank was also a student of the great Maribel Owen and I like the idea of Mirai being part of this grand American skating lineage.
 

nylynnr

On the Ice
Joined
Apr 19, 2008
The only example of a textbook jumper that Frank coached would be Chris Bowman, and Frank had him from when he was a very young kid. So I have to presume Frank can teach good tech, but I have yet to see him change someone's tech successfully.

Even Linda Fratianne had those odd pointed heels when she jumped.

Got to disagree here. Fratianne was an excellent jumper, one of the first ladies to make triples a regular part of her programs. I don't recall her heels being an impediment. Kwan, IMO, was a great jumper, incredibly consistent, soft knees, good back and flow -- jumping was a very underrated part of her skating. I think Carroll's record speaks for itself.
 
Joined
Jul 11, 2003
ITA Doris,

I haven't made up my mind about Frank being a Master Coach. His best products were those whom he taught as a beginning coach. Both Michelle and Chris, more than not, made their mark on their own through style and choreography.

Those he took on from other coaches were very iffy after being with him. In addition to Bebe, there was Tim Gable and Evan Lysacek. The latter already had his jumps but needed choreography which he got from TT.

I have watched that Sorcerer's Apprentice program for several yeas and it was quite obvious that Bebe was not going to land that 3Flip in that same spot each time. All he had to do was change it and put it somewhere else. I wondered if he cared.
 

janetfan

Match Penalty
Joined
May 15, 2009
ITA Doris,

I haven't made up my mind about Frank being a Master Coach. His best products were those whom he taught as a beginning coach. Both Michelle and Chris, more than not, made their mark on their own through style and choreography.

Those he took on from other coaches were very iffy after being with him. In addition to Bebe, there was Tim Gable and Evan Lysacek. The latter already had his jumps but needed choreography which he got from TT.

I have watched that Sorcerer's Apprentice program for several yeas and it was quite obvious that Bebe was not going to land that 3Flip in that same spot each time. All he had to do was change it and put it somewhere else. I wondered if he cared.


Please.......is it fair to say Callaghan can't coach because Kimmie keeps falling on jumps she used to nail when she was 16? Bebe is a lovely young lady and a fine skater. But my gosh, she has never been the same since she matured.
Who should we blame for Mao's falls at 09 Worlds? Is that Tat's fault or can we go back and blame Aruntunian? Ot maybe Mao had some other issues?
Sometimes it is the skater ...... and not the coach!
If your point is that Frank is best at teaching skaters from the beginning and turning them into World Champions then I can hardly indict him for that.:cool:
To the contrary, how hard ....and fair.... is it for a coach like Tat to take a thoroughly developed and extremely well trained skater on the brink of greatness, ready to win the next big competiton and then get the credit for a years worth of coaching?
I just think it is hard to know where to place credit or blame in a coach/skater relationship. A lot is timing and depends on the chemistry.
Part of me wishes Caroline would get a new coach, or someone to force her to skate a little faster into her jump entrances. I think Caroline could have spent last season doing that with many crashes and bad performances. But maybe by this year she would have been skating with the speed of a contending senior skater and made the strides to match her other great skills.
Maybe I should coach Caroline :chorus:
 
Joined
Jul 11, 2003
Please.......is it fair to say Callaghan can't coach because Kimmie keeps falling on jumps she used to nail when she was 16? If your point is that Frank is best at teaching skaters from the beginning and turning them into World Champions then I can hardly indict him for that.:cool:
To the contrary, how hard ....and fair.... is it for a coach like Tat to take a thoroughly developed and extremely well trained skater on the brink of greatness, ready to win the next big competiton and then get the credit for a years worth of coaching?
I just think it is hard to know where to place credit or blame in a coach/skater relationship. A lot is timing and depends on the chemistry.
:
Wow, you can pick up on the most sublime statement and trun it into a huge question for a retort. You may have trouble recognizing a suggestion which can easily be replied by the reader with a I disagree because.

I really don't think anyone was indicting Frank. It was just what appeared to be.
 

janetfan

Match Penalty
Joined
May 15, 2009
Quote: Joesitz:
"I have watched that Sorcerer's Apprentice program for several yeas and it was quite obvious that Bebe was not going to land that 3Flip in that same spot each time. All he had to do was change it and put it somewhere else. I wondered if he cared."



I enjoy your posts and was just doing what you were doing - expressing an opinion. Your remark about whether Frank cared - not so sublime - but if I misunderstood what you meant to say perhaps you could explain what you did mean?

Anyway, aside from thoughts about where Mirai should not go - any other thoughts about where she may go?
Is this still a rumor or has it been verified that Mirai is indeed changing coaches?
I liked Mirai's LP at Natls this season and think she still may develope into our best skater. But we will find out more this season.
 
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fairly4

Medalist
Joined
Oct 28, 2007
question,
how does this answer the question . did Mirai change coaches,
not who should coach her, but
did she change coaches.
 

dewey

Rinkside
Joined
Nov 18, 2004
Please.......is it fair to say Callaghan can't coach because Kimmie keeps falling on jumps she used to nail when she was 16?

Carroll. Frank Carroll, former coach of Michlle, current coach of Evan and Bebe. Richard Callaghan, former coach of Tara Lipinski, Todd Eldredge, current coach of Kimmie.

Two fine coaches.
 

visaliakid

Final Flight
Joined
Jan 23, 2004
Country
United-States
Don't you just love how some posters take an interesting question and hi-jack it by changing the context and then the question never gets answered. My biggest pet peeve with many skating forums is the proclivity for some to continually do this. It's like come on people FOCUS!
 

janetfan

Match Penalty
Joined
May 15, 2009
Don't you just love how some posters take an interesting question and hi-jack it by changing the context and then the question never gets answered. My biggest pet peeve with many skating forums is the proclivity for some to continually do this. It's like come on people FOCUS!


Obviously none of us know the answer to the question, including you.
Some of us may be interested in Mirai's options and I dont see how this should cause you undo angst. If it did well, sorry.
I was very curious to learn more about Mirai's situation but apparently there is no news - or atleast nothing has been announced or confirmed.
Being that we are in the off season it seems some of us enjoy speculating about certain skaters and their possibilities for next season. That is something I enjoy about skating boards.
 

sillylionlove

Medalist
Joined
Oct 27, 2006
If she did change coaches it will be interesting to see who her new coach is...but I am sure that the USFSA will make an official announcement once it's official.
 

Andalusia

Final Flight
Joined
Oct 7, 2007
There has been some rumbling that Mirai changed coaches. Does anyone know if this is correct?

I have not seen this posted anywhere else. Are you able to divulge the source of this rumbling?

I won't be surprised if Mirai has left Charlene. Their on-air interactions always seemed rather cool to me.

Her competitors should be seriously worried if Mirai finds a coach who can help get her UR problems sorted out. Now, if only someone could steer Caroline (Happy 16th Birthday, by the way! :)) in the right direction as well.
 

janetfan

Match Penalty
Joined
May 15, 2009
Thanks. I found it:

http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090520&content_id=4835608&vkey=ice_news

Interesting, and I think Carroll is an excellent choice for her. I guess this ends the speculation that Michelle would resume competitive training with him.

Mirai and Evan sharing practice time together...somehow, I can see this working. :biggrin:



Very good and exciting news! I hope it works out and Mirai has a great season.
And daring to get off topic for a sec - wishing Caroline a happy 16th.
 

shine

Record Breaker
Joined
Jul 27, 2003
Mentioning Linda always brings back memories of one of the worst cases of Soviet led bloc voting in Olympic history. Linda wuz robbed in 1980 and only a sellout from the judges gave the mediocre E.German skater the Gold medal. I mean what a joke that Linda was placed second.

I see Mirai as having some wonderful qualities and would think Frank might be good for her. As far as teaching, Frank has already taught two of the best ladies of their respective eras in Linda and Michelle so there should be little doubt he knows how to coach.
Frank was also a student of the great Maribel Owen and I like the idea of Mirai being part of this grand American skating lineage.
Wow, I don't think I've seen one single response that misses the point of the post he/she was replying to, more.
 
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