Pulling a switch: Former world junior champion changes coaches

Zhang latest figure skater to switch coaches

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Caroline Zhang is already familiar with her new coach.

The 2007 world junior champion announced Monday she is ending her four-year partnership with Li Mingzhu and will now train with Charlene Wong. Wong most recently coached Mirai Nagasu, one of Zhang’s main rivals.

Nagasu last month switched to Frank Carroll, coach of current men’s world champion Evan Lysacek.

“I feel that I need a change to further improve my skating, so I have chosen to work with Charlene,” Zhang said. “I feel she will be able to add a new dimension to my skating.”

Nagasu and Zhang, who are both from Southern California, finished 1-2 for the U.S. junior title in 2007. Later that spring, Zhang won the junior world crown and Nagasu finished second as part of a 1-2-3 U.S. sweep.

The two were part of another American sweep at the 2008 junior worlds, with Zhang finishing second to Rachael Flatt and Nagasu coming in third.

Zhang made a third trip to the junior worlds this year and won another silver medal with a dazzling performance. In 10th place after the short program, she rebounded to win the free skate and finish with her second straight silver.

She capped the season with a third-place finish at the inaugural World Team Trophy, helping the Americans win the overall crown.

“She truly is a gifted skater and has the potential to be among the world’s best,” Wong said. “I look forward to joining her on this exciting journey.”

Zhang’s move continues a busy offseason for U.S. skaters. In addition to Nagasu, reigning men’s national champion Jeremy Abbott switched coaches, as did two-time U.S. pairs winners Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker.