Yu-Na Kim headed back to South Korea
With worlds in limbo, Olympic champ headed home
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| Yu-Na Kim is headed back to South Korea until a decision on worlds is made. (Getty Images) |
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By icenetwork.com
(03/18/2011) - With the 2011 World Championships in a state of uncertainty, Olympic champion Yu-Na Kim will head home to South Korea this weekend, say her representatives at All That Sports via The Korea Herald.
Until the fate of worlds is decided, Kim will continue to train. Her appearance at worlds -- where she finished second to Mao Asada a year ago -- was to be her first competitive appearance this season. In addition to training, Kim also has several engagements, she is to serve as an honorary ambassador for Korea's bid for the 2018 Olympic Games. She is also scheduled to appear in a skating show on May 6 in Seoul.
The world championships have been in a holding pattern since a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami devastated parts of Japan on March 11. Originally, worlds was scheduled to begin with the preliminary rounds on March 21.
A decision on where the event will be held, rescheduled or canceled is expected in the next few days from the International Skating Union (ISU).
Kim ended her coaching relationship with Brian Orser last August. In October, she announced that she had relocated her training base from Toronto, Ont., to the East West Ice Palace in Artesia, Calif., where she is coached by Peter Oppegard, the three-time U.S. pair champion and 1988 Olympic bronze medalist.
Kim was set to debut her programs at worlds. The short program features excerpts from the classical ballet Giselle and the free program is a montage of Korean traditional music, including Arirang.