Caroline Zhang

Caroline Zhang
Zhang on the 2009 World Junior Championships podium.
Personal information
Full name	Caroline Zhao Zhang
Country represented	United States
Born	May 20, 1993 (1993-05-20) Boston, Massachusetts
Home town	Brea, California
Height	5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Coach	Peter Oppegard
Former coach	Tammy Gambill Li Mingzhu Charlene Wong Sondra Holmes Mary Becktell
Choreographer	David Wilson
Former choreographer	Lori Nichol Tom Dickson Karen Kwan Mary Beckstell
Skating club	All Year FSC
Began skating	1998
World standing	30 (As of 16 June 2011 (2011 -06-16))
Season's bests	51 (2010–2011) 20 (2009–2010) 5 (2008–2009)
ISU personal best scores
Combined total	176.48 2007–08 GPF
Short program	62.60 2008 World Juniors
Free skate	117.44 2012 Four Continents
Medal record Competitor for the United States Ladies' Figure skating Four Continents Championships Bronze 2012 Colorado Springs Ladies' singles Bronze 2010 Jeonju Ladies' singles World Junior Championships Silver 2009 Sofia Ladies' singles Silver 2008 Sofia Ladies' singles Gold 2007 Oberstdorf Ladies' singles Junior Grand Prix Final Gold 2006–2007 Sofia Ladies' singles

Caroline Zhao Zhang (born May 20, 1993) is an American figure skater. She is the 2010 and 2012 Four Continents bronze medalist, the 2007 World Junior Champion, the 2006–2007 Junior Grand Prix Final Champion, the 2009 U.S. bronze medalist and the 2012 U.S. pewter medalist.

Personal life

Caroline Zhang is a Chinese American. Her Chinese given name is Yuan-Yuan (simplified Chinese: 张圆圆; traditional Chinese: 張圓圓; pinyin: Zhāng Yuányuán), which literally means round-round, and that is the name by which she is known in China and referred to in the Chinese media. She was born in Boston and moved to California at a young age. Her parents are from Wuhan, China, and her older sister, Yang Yang, was born in China. The Zhang family currently lives in Brea, California. Caroline Zhang is bilingual in English and Mandarin.

Zhang is proficient at the piano, was concert master in her middle school's orchestra on violin, and was a ballet dancer before switching to figure skating.

She trains at the East West Ice Palace in Artesia, which is the rink owned by the Kwan family.

Career

Early career

Zhang began skating at age five after watching it on television.

In the 2002–2003 season, Caroline Zhang skated on the Juvenile level, which is the lowest qualifying level in the United States. Zhang began her season by winning the silver medal at her regional championship to qualify for the 2003 U.S. Junior Championships. There she won the pewter medal (fourth place), Juvenile level.

In the 2003–2004 season, Zhang moved up to the Intermediate level, which is one level up from Juvenile. Zhang won her regional championship, which qualified her for a second time for the U.S. Junior Championships, this time at the Intermediate level. She won the bronze medal.

In the 2004–2005 season, Zhang moved up to the Novice level, which is the first level that competes at the United States Figure Skating Championships. Zhang won the silver medal at her regional championship to qualify for her sectional championship, where she won the pewter medal. This qualified her for the 2005 United States Figure Skating Championships for the first time. At the National Championships, Zhang won the pewter medal, Novice level.

Zhang moved up to the Junior level in the 2005–2006 season. She won the silver medal at her regional championship to qualify for her sectional championship, where she won the bronze medal. This medal qualified her for the 2006 United States Figure Skating Championships on the Junior level. She placed 8th at the National Championships at the age of twelve.

2006–2007 season

Zhang made her debut on the international stage in the 2006–2007 season. She competed on the 2006-2007 ISU Junior Grand Prix and won her first event in Mexico by a record fifty-three points. She went on to win her second event by thirty-three points and then the Junior Grand Prix Final by twenty. Zhang became known for her creative spin positions, musicality and spiral extension, prompting comparisons to Sasha Cohen and Michelle Kwan by those in the figure skating community, including international judge Joe Inman.

Qualifying for the Junior Grand Prix Final qualified her for the 2007 United States Figure Skating Championships without having to qualify through her regional or sectional championships. Competing on the Junior level, Zhang won the silver medal behind Mirai Nagasu. Zhang was named to the U.S. team to the 2007 World Junior Figure Skating Championships, where she beat Nagasu to win the title. Zhang, Nagasu, and Ashley Wagner completed the first ever sweep by the United States of the World Junior ladies podium.

2007–2008 season

Zhang at the 2007 Skate America.

For the 2007–08 season, Zhang moved up to the senior level both nationally and internationally. She made her Grand Prix of Figure Skating debut at the 2007 Skate America, where she won the bronze medal. At this competition, she earned a level 4 and a +3 Grade of Execution for her trademark Pearl spin, which is the highest score a skater can receive under Code of Points. Zhang received deductions for underrotating jumps, costing her 17 points overall. Zhang went on to the 2007 Cup of China, where she received fewer deductions and won the silver medal. She earned 24 qualification points in the Grand Prix series. Following the result of 2007 NHK Trophy, she qualified for the 2007–2008 Grand Prix Final, where she placed 2nd in the short program and fourth overall. She was the fourth World Junior Champion in a row to qualify for the Grand Prix Final in her first Grand Prix season.

Zhang had a bye through her regional championship due to Skate America and a bye through her sectional championship due to Cup of China. She made her senior national debut at the 2008 United States Figure Skating Championships, where she won the pewter medal. Zhang was placed on the U.S. team for the 2008 World Junior Figure Skating Championships, where she won the silver medal behind Rachael Flatt. With Mirai Nagasu taking the bronze, this was the second ever U.S. sweep of the World Juniors ladies podium.

2008–2009 season

In the 2008–2009 season, Zhang competed for the second consecutive season on the Grand Prix. At her first event, the 2008 Skate Canada International, she placed third in the short program with a score of 53.28 after falling on her opening jump combination. She placed 5th in the free skate with a score of 97.52, after falling on one jump and omitting another, to place 5th overall. At the 2008 Trophée Eric Bompard, her second Grand Prix assignment, Zhang placed third in the short program with a score of 51.76 after omitting the required double axel as well as receiving a Level 1 on her spiral sequence. Zhang scored 104.78 in the long program after receiving a downgrade on her triple flip-triple toe combination, as well as a deduction for a wrong edge take-off on her triple lutz-double toe. She earned a Level 4 on all three of her spins and her spiral sequence. She scored 156.54 overall and won the bronze medal.

At the 2009 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Zhang won the bronze medal, moving up one position from the previous year. She was placed on the teams to the 2009 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships and the 2009 World Junior Figure Skating Championships. She made her senior ISU Championships debut at the Four Continents Championships, where she placed 4th. She won the silver medal at the World Junior Championships.

2009–2010 season

Zhang was assigned to the 2009 Trophée Eric Bompard and to the 2009 Skate Canada International for the 2009–2010 Grand Prix Series. She placed 4th at the 2009 Trophée Eric Bompard with a score of 153.15 points and eighth at the 2009 Skate Canada where she earned 132.46.

At the 2010 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Zhang placed 11th in the short program with 49.94 points after having problems with her jump combination and falling in her triple loop. She failed to improve her position in the free skate after falling on the triple flip-triple toe combination and stepping out of the triple lutz. Her final score was 138.27 points.

She was assigned to compete at the 2010 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships. She placed 5th in the short program with a score of 55.10 points after the triple flip in her triple flip-double toe loop combination was downgraded. In the free skate, she completed five triple jumps and earned level fours on all her spins and her spiral sequence to earn 105.68 points. Zhang placed 3rd in the free skate and won the bronze medal overall with 160.78 points.

2010–2011 season

For the 2010–2011 ISU Grand Prix season, Zhang was assigned to the 2010 NHK Trophy and the 2010 Skate America. She placed 7th in the 2010 NHK Trophy with 133.86 points and 9th at the 2010 Skate America with 132.49.

2011–2012 season

Zhang worked on a triple loop-triple loop combination for the season. She was third in the short program at 2011 Skate America and finished 6th overall. Zhang competed at the 2012 U.S. Nationals and finished 4th. she then went to compete at the 2012 Four Continents Championships and won her second bronze medal at the event.

Coaching changes

Zhang was coached by Li Mingzhu from 2005 through 2009. On June 15, 2009, Zhang announced a coaching change to Charlene Wong. She returned to being coached by Li in August, 2009. On July 20, 2010, Zhang announced that her new coach is Tammy Gambill. In January 2011, Zhang began training with Peter Oppegard, who also trains Olympic Champion, Yu-Na Kim.

Innovative moves

Zhang performs her signature pearl spin at the 2007–2008 Grand Prix Final.

Zhang has performed a spin position that her mother has called the Pearl spin, a cross between a catch-foot layback spin and a Biellmann spin. In this spin, the free leg is brought up to waist-height and the free blade is grasped with both hands. The back and head are bent down towards the knee, with the free leg held above the head in a Biellmann position. This makes the spin, in essence, a catch-foot layback in a Biellmann position, because the Biellmann position, according to regulations, is achieved when the level of the boot passes the head so that the boot is above and behind or over the head. It is a layback spin because it is an upright spin with the head and shoulders dropped backwards and the back arched downwards toward the ice. This position has become Zhang's signature spin.^{[citation needed]}

Zhang performs a hyper-extended Biellmann spin

Zhang also performs a hyper-extended Biellmann spin. She is one of several young skaters to perform this move. In this variation, the leg is pulled straight up in the air and the back bent as far into the spin as possible. Zhang is able to perform the spin with her free leg pulled straight up into the air, with very little knee bend, making the spin look closer to a capital-I position than the usual Biellmann teardrop shape. This is a crowd favorite in exhibitions.

Zhang performs her signature combination spin: traditional layback (frames 2 and 3), side layback (frame four), pearl (frames five through seven), and Biellmann (frames 9 and 10)

Programs

Zhang performs an arabesque spiral during her Ave Maria free skate at the 2009 Four Continents Championships.

Season	Short Program	Free Skating	Exhibition
2011-2012	The Rushing Wings of Dawn by Tim Janis choreographed by David Wilson	Cello Concerto in B Minor by Antonin Dvořák choreographed by David Wilson
2010–2011	Libertango by Ástor Piazzolla choreographed by Tom Dickson	Cello Concerto in B Minor by Antonin Dvořák choreographed by David Wilson
2009–2010	Zigeunerweisen by Pablo de Sarasate choreographed by Lori Nichol	Pas de deux from The Nutcracker by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky choreographed by Lori Nichol	Lullaby for a Stormy Night by Vienna Teng choreographed by Karen Kwan In This Song by Charice choreographed by Karen Kwan The Climb by Miley Cyrus choreographed by Karen Kwan
2008–2009	La Bayadère by Leon Minkus choreographed by Lori Nichol	Ave Maria by Franz Schubert choreographed by Lori Nichol The Sleeping Beauty by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky choreographed by Lori Nichol	Lullaby for a Stormy Night by Vienna Teng choreographed by Karen Kwan River by Joni Mitchell choreographed by Karen Kwan On My Own from Les Misérables performed by Lea Salonga choreographed by Karen Kwan
2007–2008	Spanish Gypsy by Ray deTone choreographed by Tom Dickson	Ave Maria by Franz Schubert choreographed by Lori Nichol	Born to Try by Delta Goodrem choreographed by Lori Nichol You Raise Me Up by Celtic Woman choreographed by Karen Kwan
2006–2007	Olga from Ladies in Lavender by Nigel Hess choreographed by Karen Kwan	Meditation from Thais by Jules Massenet choreographed by Karen Kwan	You Raise Me Up by Celtic Woman choreographed by Karen Kwan
2005–2006	O Mio Babbino Caro by Giacomo Puccini choreographed by Karen Kwan	Meditation from Thais by Jules Massenet choreographed by Karen Kwan

Competitive highlights

Zhang (far right) at the 2008 Trophée Eric Bompard.

Event	2001–02	2002–03	2003–04	2004–05	2005–06	2006–07	2007–08	2008–09	2009–10	2010–11	2011–12
Four Continents Championships								4th	3rd		3rd
World Junior Championships						1st	2nd	2nd
U.S. Championships				4th N.	8th J.	2nd J.	4th	3rd	11th	12th	4th
U.S. Junior Championships		4th Ju.	3rd I.
Grand Prix Final							4th
Skate America							3rd			9th	6th
NHK Trophy										7th
Trophée Eric Bompard								3rd	4th
Skate Canada								5th	8th
Cup of China							2nd
Ice Challenge											1st
Junior Grand Prix Final						1st
Junior Grand Prix, Mexico						1st
Junior Grand Prix, Taipei						1st
North American Challenge Skate				1st N.	4th J.
Pacific Coast Sectionals				4th N.	3rd J.
Southwest Pacific Regionals	9th Ju.	2nd Ju.	4th I.	2nd N.	2nd J.
Ju. = Juvenile level; I. = Intermediate level; N. = Novice level; J. = Junior level

Detailed results

2011–2012 season
Date	Event	SP	FS	Total
February 7–12, 2012	2012 ISU Four Continents Championships	4 58.74	3 117.44	3 176.18
January 22–29, 2012	2012 United States Figure Skating Championships	4 60.18	3 113.01	4 173.19
November 1–6, 2011	2011 Ice Challenge	1 52.82	2 99.90	1 152.72
October 21–23, 2011	2011 Skate America	3 55.05	10 85.65	6 140.70
2010–2011 season
Date	Event	SP	FS	Total
January 22–30, 2011	2011 United States Figure Skating Championships	10 48.48	12 92.47	12 140.95
November 11–14, 2010	2010 ISU Grand Prix Skate America	5 50.66	10 81.83	9 132.49
October 22–24, 2010	2010 ISU Grand Prix NHK Trophy	6 50.71	9 83.15	7 133.86
2009–2010 season
Date	Event	SP	FS	Total
January 25–31, 2010	2010 ISU Four Continents Championships	4 55.10	3 105.68	3 160.78
January 14–24, 2010	2010 United States Figure Skating Championships	11 49.94	9 88.33	11 138.27
November 19–22, 2009	2009 ISU Grand Prix Skate Canada International	7 54.58	8 77.88	8 132.46
October 15–18, 2009	2009 ISU Grand Prix Trophée Eric Bompard	5 57.26	5 95.89	4 153.15

2008–2009 season
Date	Event	Level	SP	FS	Points
April 15–19, 2009	2009 ISU World Team Trophy	Senior	4 58.88	3 116.80	3 175.68
February 23 – March 1, 2009	2009 ISU World Junior Championships	Junior	10 47.64	1 107.03	2 154.67
February 4–8, 2009	2009 ISU Four Continents Championships	Senior	5 58.16	4 113.06	4 171.22
January 18–25, 2009	2009 United States Figure Skating Championships	Senior	3 58.91	4 112.17	3 171.08
November 13–16, 2008	2008 ISU Grand Prix Trophée Eric Bompard	Senior	3 51.76	3 104.78	3 156.54
October 30 – November 2, 2008	2008 ISU Grand Prix Skate Canada International	Senior	3 53.28	5 97.52	5 150.80
2007–2008 season
Date	Event	Level	SP	FS	Points
February 25 – March 2, 2008	2008 ISU World Junior Championships	Junior	2 62.60	2 109.24	2 171.84
January 20–27, 2008	2008 United States Figure Skating Championships	Senior	7 53.49	4 119.67	4 173.16
December 13–16, 2007	2007–2008 ISU Grand Prix Final	Senior	2 61.82	4 114.66	4 176.48
November 7–11, 2007	2007 ISU Grand Prix Cup of China	Senior	2 58.76	2 97.58	2 156.34
October 25–28, 2007	2007 ISU Grand Prix Skate America	Senior	3 56.48	3 96.87	3 153.35
2006–2007 season
Date	Event	Level	SP	FS	Points
February 26 – March 4, 2007	2007 ISU World Junior Championships	Junior	1 59.17	1 110.18	1 169.25
January 21–28, 2007	2007 United States Figure Skating Championships	Junior	2 53.87	2 98.01	2 151.88
December 7–10, 2006	2006–2007 ISU Junior Grand Prix Final	Junior	1 56.28	1 106.40	1 162.68
October 10–14, 2006	2006 ISU Junior Grand Prix, Mexico	Junior	1 57.36	1 105.06	1 162.42
September 12–17, 2006	2006 ISU Junior Grand Prix, Taipei	Junior	1 58.93	1 103.50	1 162.43
2005–2006 season
Date	Event	Level	SP	FS	Points
January 7–15, 2006	2006 United States Figure Skating Championships	Junior	7 41.69	7 80.50	8 122.19
November 15–19, 2005	2006 Pacific Coast Sectional Championships	Junior	3 40.36	3 77.42	3 117.78
October 6–9, 2005	2006 Southwest Pacific Regional Championships	Junior	2	2	2 3.0 (FP)
2004–2005 season
Date	Event	Level	SP	FS	FP
January 7–15, 2005	2005 United States Figure Skating Championships	Novice	4	4	4 6.0
November 11–13, 2004	2005 Pacific Coast Sectional Championships	Novice	4	4	4 6.0
October 12–17, 2004	2005 Southwest Pacific Regional Championships	Novice	5*	2	2 4.5

• * 1st after the Qualifying round.
• Personal bests highlighted in bold.
• SP = Short program, FS = Free skating, FP = Factored placements

External links

• Caroline Zhang at the International Skating Union
• Caroline Zhang at the United States Figure Skating Association
• Caroline Zhang at the United States Olympic Committee