Gracie Gold in treatment for eating disorder, depression

[gkelly]

Obviously, many of these girls will try to achieve the body type required by any means possible, whether through restrictive dieting, purging, extreme workouts beyond their usual training, etc. When judges are rewarding them for showing up at competitions ten pounds thinner and coaches are praising them for their weight loss, they're not going to suddenly realize that what they are doing is destructive.

I think it's important for coaches to understand the latest research on adolescent development and weight control and eating disorders to guide their skaters in a positive way through the changes in their bodies at that point in their development, including setting realistic goals. (Aim a little higher than might be realistic, but don't put pressure to achieve those highest goals to the point that not achieving them equals failure.)
I'm sure some are better than others and some still don't have a clue.

I'm not sure how much effect judges have, unless they give critiques and talk about weight of body type in addition to technique/skills and program construction, etc.

About 20 years ago I spoke with a regional-level judge who told me that when skaters and coached asked her how they could place better, she often used to (i.e., 30-40 years ago) tell them to lose 5 pounds, but by the mid-90s she had come to understand that was bad advice. How much has the judging community as a whole learned more about these issues?

What if officials notice that a particular skater appears too thin? Is it appropriate to bring up the subject? Or none of their business? In most cases it's impossible for a stranger to tell just by looking at a teenager whether they're underweight or overweight for their own body type and developmental stage.

USFS (and other federations) can offer general advice based on the latest knowledge to all skaters and coaches via Skating magazine, their website, seminars at regional/sectional/national competitions, etc. At what point, if ever, would it be appropriate to offer specific help to a specific skater who appears to be in need?

 

[MacMadame]

Trying to say that the sport doesn't influence the development of EDs at a much higher rate than young women who are not involved in figure skating is ridiculous.

I agree. There is both clinical evidence and scores of anecdotal evidence.

Also, to some extent, it really doesn't matter if figure skating has more EDs than, say, soccer. As long as they have enough to be a problem (and they do), then it needs to be addressed.

I see EDs in figure skating as being like CTE in football. It's something that, if exposed and not dealt with, will bring the sport down. If it's dealt with and becomes a rare problem, then the sport has a chance to thrive.

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

Evy Scotvold developed his share of top performers, but was also old-school and had a legendary reputation even amongst that era of coaches/students, for being obsessed trying to keep female skaters' weights unrealistically thin. My guess is he single-handedly caused more eating disorders in skaters than just about any other major USA coach. Witness: Jenny Kirk.

Sadly, Kirk also trained with Richard Callahan who, although not accused by name in Little Girls In Pretty Boxes, was the coach who allegedly forced ice - dancer, Suzie Wynne, to lose ten pounds in a week before nationals or else he wouldn't take her with him.

 

[Aussie Willy]

Does Disney still have a requirement that skaters need to be a certain weight? Last time I spoke to someone who had been involved in the shows they still did at the time (about 5 years ago).

 

[bladesofgorey]

If Disney doesn't then it's still an unstated requirement. They want all of their skaters to look of similar build in the lines. I skated for them for a short time in the early 90s and they had me gain an exact amount of weight to do so. (I was 5'4" and 103, they wanted me to show up at the hotel they flew me to weighing 107. I picked up the show on the road as a replacement for a skater who had to leave due to anorexia) They had weekly weigh-ins and skaters were docked pay (if I remember correctly) and removed from plum parts on the weeks they were over what the line captain/manager had down as their contract weight. It was all very ****ed up and not a good environment for me tbh.

 

[dramagrrl]

Does Disney still have a requirement that skaters need to be a certain weight? Last time I spoke to someone who had been involved in the shows they still did at the time (about 5 years ago).

There is a section in show skater Kathryn Bertine's memoir about the eating disorder she developed while in a touring ice show, All the Sundays Yet to Come, in which she auditioned for Disney on Ice, was able to show them jumps and skating skills beyond their requirements, and was essentially told she was hired before they weighed her. Once they took her weight, she was sent a form letter that told her to see a nutritionist and send them photographs if she was able to lose a significant amount of weight in a short time. At the time, she was in excellent shape due to both figure skating and rowing on a high-level college team, but weighed more than one would guess to look at her due to the muscle she had developed through rowing. For a short time, she tried crash dieting to lose weight and then sent photos and her new weight stats to Disney after losing around ten pounds in a very brief amount of time, and their response was to send her the exact same form letter about seeing a nutritionist and getting back to them if her weight went further down. When she called them for feedback, she was told that her audition was very good, but her weight "wasn't what [they] were looking for".

 

[Willin]

@bladesofgorey @Aussie Willy Can't say for the shows right now, but the parks have very strict requirements for the people playing the face characters (ie. Princesses). They're also notorious for how strictly they manage the employees in their parks (even those who are bottom-of-the-ladder janitors), so I wouldn't put it past them to be that strict on Disney on Ice.
Mostly the requirement is to ensure they can fit the costumes because you have to fit the costume; it isn't made to fit you. I'd imagine the same is true for Disney on Ice. I know one of the costumers who makes the princess dresses for the Disney parks (I don't know if she does the dresses for DoI or not), but they only have one pattern for each princess dress design along with one master copy. No variation in size is built in, and you are not allowed to customize or copy that pattern for any reason.

I also don't know how much they can be that strict now a days. I'd imagine they can have some level of stringency because they do recruit from nationals and other competitions, but there's not as large of a pool wanting to do it. Back when I was young, there was really no collegiate skating opportunities (synchro, singles, varsity, or otherwise), so lots of the girls/guys who wanted to keep skating after high school took time off before or during college to go with Disney on Ice. Now, a lot of skaters have the opportunity to both skate and go to school. Also, a lot of the people skating now are doing it with the expectation that they will go straight to college - Disney on Ice isn't discussed as an option nearly as much.

The only skaters I've known who have done it were both males and both quit >5 years ago, so their information wouldn't be up to date and may not be relevant to the female skaters. I know one quit to work on cruise ships, where he was much happier due to the less stringent lifestyle and the ability to have fun when working. From what he's said the cruise ships are more chill on every aspect, so I'd wonder if they also have weight requirements beyond not being overweight.

 

[MacMadame]

(I don't know if she does the dresses for DoI or not)

DoI is a separate company so it's unlikely. They would have their own people who knew the requirements for skating costumes.

One of my young skating friends did Disney on Ice for a while before getting married and having a baby. She loved it but provided no details as to how she was treated.

For the face characters, my kid wants to be one so I know more than I want to about them. Each character has a height and weight range and it's different for all of them. Alice is pretty short, for example. Different princesses have different heights depending on how Disney envisions the characters. I think it's both practical and a bit creepy myself.

And, ahem, the janitors are at the *top* of the ladder because, without them, the parks would be disgusting.

 

[giselle23]

I'm pretty sure that all Olympic athletes must be measured for height and weight regardless of whether their sport has a weight requirement.

If that is true, it could actually trigger disordered eating. Unless the sport has a weight requirement (like boxing), I think weight is a medical issue that should be measured only by a doctor. If they want athletes to self-report, fine.

 

[Vagabond]

If that is true, it could actually trigger disordered eating. Unless the sport has a weight requirement (like boxing), I think weight is a medical issue that should be measured only by a doctor.

And how do you know that it isn't measured by a doctor?

Regardless, if your theory were true, we would be seeing rampant reports of disordered eating among athletes in all Olympic sports that don't have a weight requirement. I certainly haven't seen them except for athletes competing in figure skating and gymnastics.

 

[judiz]

I think it's important for coaches to understand the latest research on adolescent development and weight control and eating disorders to guide their skaters in a positive way through the changes in their bodies at that point in their development, including setting realistic goals. (Aim a little higher than might be realistic, but don't put pressure to achieve those highest goals to the point that not achieving them equals failure.)
I'm sure some are better than others and some still don't have a clue.

I'm not sure how much effect judges have, unless they give critiques and talk about weight of body type in addition to technique/skills and program construction, etc.

About 20 years ago I spoke with a regional-level judge who told me that when skaters and coached asked her how they could place better, she often used to (i.e., 30-40 years ago) tell them to lose 5 pounds, but by the mid-90s she had come to understand that was bad advice. How much has the judging community as a whole learned more about these issues?

What if officials notice that a particular skater appears too thin? Is it appropriate to bring up the subject? Or none of their business? In most cases it's impossible for a stranger to tell just by looking at a teenager whether they're underweight or overweight for their own body type and developmental stage.

USFS (and other federations) can offer general advice based on the latest knowledge to all skaters and coaches via Skating magazine, their website, seminars at regional/sectional/national competitions, etc. At what point, if ever, would it be appropriate to offer specific help to a specific skater who appears to be in need?

This brings to mind the tragic story of gymnast Christy Henrich who, after being told by a judge she was too fat to make the Olympics, became anorexic and weighed less than 80 pounds by her death at age 22

 

[Cleo1782]

This brings to mind the tragic story of gymnast Christy Henrich who, after being told by a judge she was too fat to make the Olympics, became anorexic and weighed less than 80'poun by her death at age 22

She only weighed 47lbs when she died actually. Unreal.

Sorry Wiki list her as weighing 47lbs when she died. Other articles say she weighed less than 60lbs when she died. She was 4'10 and 93lbs when she was told she was 'fluffy'
http://people.com/archive/dying-for-a-medal-vol-42-no-8/
This article reiterates her weight at 47 lbs, but more importantly said a study (from years ago) said up to 62% of females in sports like figure skating and gymnastics have or had EDs

 

[Eeyora1]

I’ve suffered from all three of the issues Gracie currently has. Since I was 10 years old. I was hospitalized at the age of 22 with a nervous breakdown while attending college. I became so afraid the anti depressents would cause weight gain that I reverted back to extreme dieting with anorexia and bulimia. I cannot speak for Gracie but these problems aren’t solved overnight regardless. Finding the right medication can be a nightmare and I’m sure the side effects can effect skating. It has taken me years to get over these problems but for me the best key is self awareness. In time I hope Gracie learns how to live through this which I’m sure she is. I am proud of her for taking a break. I automatically went back to school and it was a disaster.

As far as the coaches, skating and eating disorders. This is a matter that has remained close to me. I often feel my love of skating has propelled it. I was 13 around the time of the Nagano Olympics and I read all the articles about Michelle’s growth spurt and weight gain. It really affected me. Even though I didn’t skate and weighed just under 90lbs. I often dieted because I thought Tara was the ideal weight. My mom was shocked when we saw them both at Champions on Ice in how tiny they BOTH were. During my times of anorexia I have often thought Kristi Yamaguchi’s 5 ft 1 and 86 pounds as my goal and ideal weight.

Now I’m not blaming Frank Carrol for anything but I do find it odd that at least three of the ladies that have left him have done it within a year before the Olympics. Even if he and Gracie parted ways a little over a year before. Is the pressure too much?

 

[missing]

And how do you know that it isn't measured by a doctor?

Regardless, if your theory were true, we would be seeing rampant reports of disordered eating among athletes in all Olympic sports that don't have a weight requirement. I certainly haven't seen them except for athletes competing in figure skating and gymnastics.

I had vague memories of reading about wrestlers with eating disorders, so I did a bit of googling and found this article.

Among athletes participating in certain sports, the prevalence of eating disorders may be alarmingly high. A recent study using the EAT found that cyclists scored significantly higher (reflecting more abnormal attitudes) than their nonathletic peers (20). These trends were apparent in subscales measuring binge eating and dieting behavior. Another similar study compared data among cyclists competing at regional, national, and elite levels. In general, elite cyclists were most likely to demonstrate aberrant behaviors and attitudes, although regional cyclists scored more poorly than their national-level peers (21). Although it was not designed as a diagnostic tool, scores above 20 on the EAT have been associated with the presence of an eating disorder. Of the cyclists surveyed in the Ferrand study, 50% met this criterion for the presence of an eating disorder. These cyclists were found to have manifested their abnormal eating patterns with correspondingly low body mass indexes (BMIs). A similar study among triathletes identified that 11% of participants demonstrated food and weight preoccupation, 23% were engaging in restrictive calorie-controlling behaviors, and fully 100% of the sample endorsed unhappiness with their present BMI (22).

Any athlete for whom lowered weight can confer a competitive advantage may be at increased risk for an eating disorder. Studies among jockeys find myriad instances of dangerous behavior. One study revealed that 69% of jockeys skip meals, 67% use "hot box" sauna techniques for cutting weight, 30% induce vomiting, and 14% use laxatives to control their body weight (23). Three recent deaths among wrestlers attempting to cut weight prompted the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to develop strict rules designed to limit dieting behaviors (24).

 

[skatepixie]

I’ve suffered from all three of the issues Gracie currently has.
Now I’m not blaming Frank Carrol for anything but I do find it odd that at least three of the ladies that have left him have done it within a year before the Olympics. Even if he and Gracie parted ways a little over a year before. Is the pressure too much?

I wonder if, especially in recent years as he gets closer to and flirts with retirement -- well, does that make his students wonder about HIS level of focus and attentiveness? I remember reading how Mirai said she was always driving out to Palm Springs and I vaguely remember her saying something about him being wishy washy about when/if he would retire and it made her path feel uncertain.

I also have my own concerns about his skill as a technical coach, especially with the demands of today's judging system. His students often do well, but are rarely the best technicians. I can see an Olympic year being the point where some say, "Enough! This guy isn't going to take me where I need to go."

Frank is very good at the politics of skating, and is very well connected to "the powers that be" in US skating. He also does a good job of "packaging" and appealing to the aesthetic side of the sport (which is critical, of course) -- but I don't see evidence that he can do what, say, Raf can do in terms of breaking down jump technique into it's minute pieces and improving it.

 

[Carolla5501]

Now I’m not blaming Frank Carrol for anything but I do find it odd that at least three of the ladies that have left him have done it within a year before the Olympics. Even if he and Gracie parted ways a little over a year before. Is the pressure too much?

I don't think the 'pressure' on Michelle to leave him came from Frank!

Now as to the other skaters, who knows. Personally I think that the "shotgun" marriage USFSA made for Gracie is partially to blame for the problems she had with Frank. It was not a well thought out decision from day 1 IMHO.

 

[MacMadame]

I don't believe that all athletes at the Olympics get weighed and measured, btw. I've seen fluff pieces of athletes being checked in and it didn't happen then. Plus it makes no sense to do that for every athlete in every sport. Why waste everyone's time doing something that adds no value?

 

[Tinami Amori]

If that is true, it could actually trigger disordered eating. Unless the sport has a weight requirement (like boxing), I think weight is a medical issue that should be measured only by a doctor. If they want athletes to self-report, fine.

I think weight and sports works like this: If your weight prevents you from being competitive, you have several options: leave the sport; stay in sport but don't expect high results; find a healthy way to control your weight to a point where it does not hinder athletic requirements. If an athlete for various reasons can not comply, due to weight, with athletic requirements of a given sport, then he/she has to make choices.

I don't like when such conversations lead in a direction of "oh, this sport is so demanding on the girls, they are inclined to develop ED and become anorexic." What does it mean? prohibit 3X jumps in competitions so that heavier girls can compete in the Olympics? One has to be a certain weight (proportionately to other physical specifics of ones body) not exactly for aesthetics but to be able to perform certain athletic elements..

If one is too heavy to do a 3X, then one is too heavy to do 3X.... either loose weight, or develop more muscle to lift yourself, or leave, or skate on lower level....

But when a score in certain sports includes "aesthetics" (skating, gymnastics, art-swimming, etc), a heavier athlete usually has less flexibility and his/her element may show less quality and less difficulty, and receive less points...
http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/ap_webfeeds/d9ddeead009cd0056c0f6a706700238c.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/236x/aa/a7/ed/...89358--figure-skating-dresses-ice-skaters.jpg

That's life.. Don't like it, change to another sport, which suites your weight/body and requirements.....

 

[Spun Silver]

^ You’re posting a pic of Tuk from the season she won Worlds and a lot of other titles as an example of a skater who doesn’t get points due to body shape and should leave the sport??

 

[skatepixie]

^ You’re posting a pic of Tuk from the season she won Worlds and a lot of other titles as an example of a skater who doesn’t get points due to body shape and should leave the sport??

On that particular element, it is lower quality. And I don't read it as TA saying Tuk should leave -- but Tuk shouldn't exactly expect high praise and rave reviews for some of her positions, either. Tuk can be a good jumper, but the rest of her elements aren't of the highest quality, IMO.

 

[kittyjake5]

I think weight and sports works like this: If your weight prevents you from being competitive, you have several options: leave the sport; stay in sport but don't expect high results; find a healthy way to control your weight to a point where it does not hinder athletic requirements. If an athlete for various reasons can not comply, due to weight, with athletic requirements of a given sport, then he/she has to make choices.

I don't like when such conversations lead in a direction of "oh, this sport is so demanding on the girls, they are inclined to develop ED and become anorexic." What does it mean? prohibit 3X jumps in competitions so that heavier girls can compete in the Olympics? One has to be a certain weight (proportionately to other physical specifics of ones body) not exactly for aesthetics but to be able to perform certain athletic elements..

If one is too heavy to do a 3X, then one is too heavy to do 3X.... either loose weight, or develop more muscle to lift yourself, or leave, or skate on lower level....

But when a score in certain sports includes "aesthetics" (skating, gymnastics, art-swimming, etc), a heavier athlete usually has less flexibility and his/her element may show less quality and less difficulty, and receive less points...
http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/ap_webfeeds/d9ddeead009cd0056c0f6a706700238c.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/236x/aa/a7/ed/...89358--figure-skating-dresses-ice-skaters.jpg

That's life.. Don't like it, change to another sport, which suites your weight/body and requirements.....

Thank you for sharing your know it all wisdom with us.

 

[Tinami Amori]

^ You’re posting a pic of Tuk from the season she won Worlds and a lot of other titles as an example of a skater who doesn’t get points due to body shape and should leave the sport??

Tuk found a balance, so it seems. She is not a "baby ballerina", and yet she does not have a ED, anorexia, or seems too pushed around by "opinions". Her spins show less flexibility than Sasha Cohens, but Tuk found other advantages to use.... 3A (when she can do it) for example. In many cases there is a solution without having to go into extreme and "blame society" for it.

If a judge/coach/friend says "you need to loose 5 lbs", why freak out and do something drastic? think for yourself: is my weight hurting my jumps/spins/etc, or is it about "looks"? If it is about "looks", then F-U.. If i myself notice that 5 lbs hurt my jumps, then its something to think about it....

 

[Tinami Amori]

Thank you for sharing your know it all wisdom with us.

Don't roll your eyes so hard and so often, you'll strain various rectus muscles and will end up in need of an optometrist.

 

[bardtoob]

Tuk found a balance, so it seems. She is not a "baby ballerina", and yet she does not have a ED, anorexia, or seems too pushed around by "opinions".

Because Mishin's technique attributes the ability to perform a jump to "physics", not just "weight". That is why Liza does not have an eating disorder. Sure, weight is part of a physics equations but other things can be adjusted in the equation besides weight to make a jump work according to Mishin's physics model.

The bottom line is that Tuk has been trained to think that there is more to whether or not a jump can be executed than just her weight measurement, and I do not think that is true for many other skaters, and those with anorexia in particular.

 

[triple_toe]

A coach saying "you need to lose five pounds" isn't exactly the same as saying "you're not worth my time until you lose five pounds," or "I'm not standing at the boards with you unless you lose five pounds" (things I have heard many a time, whether addressed to myself or others). And neither one is the same as "you need to improve your cardio so your programs will be easier" or "you need to improve your fast twitch muscles so your jumps will improve."

 

[bardtoob]

Tuk can be a good jumper, but the rest of her elements aren't of the highest quality, IMO.

I disagree. Tuk's elements are high quality if people look at her SKATES rather than body positions; body positions are not skating.

 

[triple_toe]

I do think that if coaches had more education in exercise physiology, psychology, and yes actual technique, the whole "I can't figure out how to teach you a triple-triple so I'm just going to tell you to lose weight because that will undoubtedly make it easier for you to force it into existence and I can reap the rewards" mentality might be ameliorated somewhat. I have a hell of a lot of respect for Mishin who actually spent a lot of effort forging the perfect technique and figuring out how to teach it to his students. The fact that Liza--with a body type others might have condemned-- won a world title and has some of the best jumps in the ladies field when she's on is a testament to how far good technique goes. Someone like Jenny Kirk (not trying to pick on her here, just using her as an example due to her admitted ED issues), no matter how thin she got, would never have been able to jump like that because her technique simply wasn't up to par.

Again, look at Yu na and look at Liza. Two stunningly different body types, two incredible jumpers. What they have in common is absolutely excellent technique and use of the blade, such that there's very little extra movement and the jump is achieved through timing and run of the blade. Proper technique is also far more resilient fluctuations of a few pounds. I actually think Tom Z. is doing good things here. Believe me, because I fall squarely on the "art" side of the art v. sport debate he's hardly my favourite, but I think he's onto something with the amount of research he puts in. Just look at the difference between Mirai's triple axel and the rest of her jumps, to say nothing of the fact that she got it at such an "advanced" age.

Good technique and proper fitness, i.e. ability to get through a long program and being in good enough shape that your body isn't totally falling apart, can go a very, very long way. This is, unfortunately, dependent upon a coach having very good knowledge of the technical aspects of jumping, which is surprisingly lacking. I don't know how the system works in Europe (although I know in the Soviet Union coaches underwent certain education), but in North America it's exceedingly easy to become a coach if one has even basic knowledge of skating. I'd make exams of Mishin's books on skating technique compulsory for entry level coaches if I were Queen of the world, but that's another novel for another day...

ETA: Liza is also a great example of the difference between fit and thin. When she won her title she was the most fit she's ever been (according the above definition). In other years, her weight wasn't very different, but she wasn't in the same shape in terms of health and ability to get through a program. Less weight might be a by product of fitness, but it shouldn't be the end goal.

 

[Cleo1782]

I do think that if coaches had more education in exercise physiology, psychology, and yes actual technique, the whole "I can't figure out how to teach you a triple-triple so I'm just going to tell you to lose weight because that will undoubtedly make it easier for you to force it into existence and I can reap the rewards" mentality might be ameliorated somewhat. I have a hell of a lot of respect for Mishin who actually spent a lot of effort forging the perfect technique and figuring out how to teach it to his students. The fact that Liza--with a body type others might have condemned-- won a world title and has some of the best jumps in the ladies field when she's on is a testament to how far good technique goes. Someone like Jenny Kirk (not trying to pick on her here, just using her as an example due to her admitted ED issues), no matter how thin she got, would never have been able to jump like that because her technique simply wasn't up to par.

Again, look at Yu na and look at Liza. Two stunningly different body types, two incredible jumpers. What they have in common is absolutely excellent technique and use of the blade, such that there's very little extra movement and the jump is achieved through timing and run of the blade. Proper technique is also far more resilient fluctuations of a few pounds. I actually think Tom Z. is doing good things here. Believe me, because I fall squarely on the "art" side of the art v. sport debate he's hardly my favourite, but I think he's onto something with the amount of research he puts in. Just look at the difference between Mirai's triple axel and the rest of her jumps, to say nothing of the fact that she got it at such an "advanced" age.

Good technique and proper fitness, i.e. ability to get through a long program and being in good enough shape that your body isn't totally falling apart, can go a very, very long way. This is, unfortunately, dependent upon a coach having very good knowledge of the technical aspects of jumping, which is surprisingly lacking. I don't know how the system works in Europe (although I know in the Soviet Union coaches underwent certain education), but in North America it's exceedingly easy to become a coach if one has even basic knowledge of skating. I'd make exams of Mishin's books on skating technique compulsory for entry level coaches if I were Queen of the world, but that's another novel for another day...

You need very little to become a coach. I am technically am still a coach even though I haven't worked in the field in almost 15 years. Pay the fees, get the insurance, pass the basic test, etc
But I believe outside of very old school coaches the elite ones have some training. Honestly, I think Frank is a good one. I would look more to European and Russian old school coaches talking about weight. In the US most know that is not okay or to handle it delicately . At my old training center, my coach (who is very, very well respected and I would not call them out) once told me to put saran wrap around my waist to make it thinner. Guess what? It didn't work.

And ETA it's not that my parents were bad people. They were paying a coach thousands to make me better. This person had multiple world and oly champs-my parents never once said I was overweight, but when you are paying someone to guide you daughters career they listen to the advice given. Sad to say I was thin, but gained all my weight in my stomach. No hips, no butt, but looking as an outsider I just didn't have the right body.

 

[Coco]

We don't know that any skater does or doesn't have an ED. Frequently, someone with an ED may not look thin. Just saying.

 

[triple_toe]

You need very little to become a coach. I am technically am still a coach even though I haven't worked in the field in almost 15 years. Pay the fees, get the insurance, pass the basic test, etc
But I believe outside of very old school coaches the elite ones have some training. Honestly, I think Frank is a good one. I would look more to European and Russian old school coaches talking about weight. In the US most know that is not okay or to handle it delicately . At my old training center, my coach (who is very, very well respected and I would not call them out) once told me to put saran wrap around my waist to make it thinner. Guess what? It didn't work.

I think Frank is a good one too, but I think his knowledge is more geared to pre-COP figures era, which is when his students really shone. Look, Frank is a god in the skating world and I'm not at all trying to be disrespectful, but I'm also not entirely convinced he's the one for the higher-level demands of COP as it stands now. Evan's quad and triple axel were always wonky and his lady skaters aren't exactly setting the world on fire. Even Michelle Kwan's triple lutz wasn't exactly amazing.

I'm not trying to claim weight is entirely irrelevant, I just think sometimes weight is a scapegoat for other issues that are more prohibitive to success than being 5 pounds "overweight."