Kwan Makes Switch to Another Coach

Two-time Olympic medalist Michelle Kwan, eager to restore triple-triple jumps to her program, switched coaches and is taking lessons from Rafael Arutunian, a noted jump technician.

Kwan ended a decade-long association with Frank Carroll before the Salt Lake City Olympics, where she added a bronze medal to the silver she’d won in 1998. The Manhattan Beach resident began working with Scott Williams in September 2002, then won her fifth world title and seventh U.S. title this year. Deciding she’d benefit from intensified training, she sought help two weeks ago from Arutunian, with whom she’d worked in Olympic years. Kwan plans to pursue her eighth U.S. title next month in Atlanta.

“He’s always interested me because of his different approach,” Kwan said of Arutunian, who formerly coached Sasha Abt. “He’s very aggressive.” Kwan said her collaboration with Williams “worked out perfect for last year,” when she had a light competition schedule, but added, “I need to start training hard and skate more. I have to keep on pushing myself and keep moving because the competition is becoming extreme, with triple-triples and triple axels. I have to keep up with the times.”

Kwan will head the women’s field at the International Figure Skating Challenge on Friday at Auburn Hills, Mich. Sasha Cohen of Laguna Niguel, who has won three Grand Prix events this season, will also compete.

-- Helene Elliott