http://www.universalsports.com/news/art ... 27576.htmlRippon changes coaches, leaves Orser
Adam Rippon announced today that he has ended his two-year professional relationship with coach Brian Orser and will train with Ghislain Briand, who has served as a member of his coaching staff for the past two years.Colorado Springs, Colo. (April 1, 2011) - Adam Rippon, a two-time World Junior champion and the gold medalist at the 2010 International Skating Union (ISU) Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, announced today that he has ended his two-year professional relationship with coach Brian Orser and will train with Ghislain Briand, who has served as a member of his coaching staff for the past two years.
"At this time I need a change in the way I've been training," Rippon said. "I've been working with Ghislain for more than two years, so the transition is natural and makes sense."
Briand coached for more than 10 years in Montreal before relocating to Barrie, Ontario, to work with Doug Leigh at the Mariposa School of Skating. A member of three-time World champion Elvis Stojko's coaching staff from 1996-2002, Briand has also worked as an IJS technical specialist.
"I am excited to work with Adam," Briand said. "I anticipate a lot of good things from him in the near future. He is a strong skater with good work habits."
Rippon enjoyed his finest season in 2007-08, when he took the gold at the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final and the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships, sandwiching the U.S. junior title between those two wins. The following season, he again captured the World Junior title, making him the only man to claim that prize in back-to-back seasons.
This season, Rippon won bronze at 2010 Skate Canada followed by a fourth-place finish at Skate America. He wrapped up the campaign by coming in fifth at the 2011 AT&T U.S. Figure Skating Championships and the 2011 Four Continents Championships.
"I don't think this season was my best, but I don't think it was a throwaway either." Rippon said. "I learned a lot about myself, and I believe this coaching change is necessary."
Prior to his time with Orser, Rippon was coached by Yelena Sergeeva (2000-07) and Nikoli Morozov (2007-09).
"I want to thank Brian for our time together," Rippon said. "He's very much responsible for making me the competitor and athlete I am today, and I'm grateful for that."