Igor Shpilband Fired

Igor Shpilband was fired from the Canton Arctic Figure Skating Club today at the urging of his top three teams.  The official reason at this time is that the skaters "don't feel he is there for them."  There have always been rumors about the atmosphere at Canton where the girls get thinner, competition is fierce and politics are always at play.  This is the end of the coaching duo of Marina and Igor.  This will certainly impact the training, as Igor is supposed to be the technician.  It is important to note that the Shibutanis have always seemed to acknowledge Marina Zueva more than Igor, as has the Canadian press when discussing Virtue and Moir.  Igor will likely continue coaching and start his own program, which could open up the world of ice dance in the United States and cause more rivalries among the top teams.  This is certainly going to shake things up.

Now we will find out who the real politician is: Igor or Marina?

The only article available at this time.

A dear friend asked me if this is like Bring It On where the coach gave the same spirit finger routines to everyone. That has to be it: the teams finally realized Igor gave the same tango to everyone!

In other dance news, Samuelson and Gilles have split and are no longer listed under a USFSA funding envelope or part of the International Selection Pool.