PSA 2011 Awards

[FigureSpins]

Quick recap of some of the PSA Awards recipients for 2011:

Hall of Fame: Lori Nichol, Igor Shpilband
Hall of Fame - Early Influences: Theresa Weld Blanchard
Photo of the Year: Mark Walentiny
Development Coach: Kori Ade
Paul McGrath Choreography Award: Marina Zoueva
Betty Berens Award: Marylil Elbe
Sonja Henie Award: Yuka Sato
Gustave Lussi Award: Scott Hamilton
Joe Serafine Volunteer of the Year Award: Marylil Elbe
Fritz Dietl Award: Center Ice Arena
Coach of the Year: Igor Spilband & Marina Zoueva

There were other awards, but I didn't remember the winner's name, sorry.

[FigureSpins]

USFSA Press Release: http://www.usfsa.org/Story.asp?id=46192

[FigureSpins]

No news on the ISI Award recipient names?  They had their own awards ceremony, but I didn't attend.

[Sk8Dreams]

If you count the Hall of Fame induction, Shpilband was a triple winner this year.  From the USFS Press release (my bold):

"The Coach(es) of the Year Award went to Marina Zoueva and Igor Shpilband"

"Zoueva and Shpilband were double winners, as they also took home the Paul McGrath Choreographer of the Year Award."

"Hall of Fame Inductees: Lori Nichol, Igor Shpilband"

I was impressed with Shpilband's humility as he received each award.  Zoueva was prevented from being at the conference by bad weather (she was in CO,) and Shpilband expressed his regret that she could not be present, in addition to giving her all credit due.  He spoke about his defection and how much American coaches had helped him integrate into the sport in our country.  Igor Shpilband is now, quite happily, a US citizen.

[Isk8NYC]

Oh, I thought he accepted the Choreography award on her behalf since she didn't make it to the Conference.  I didn't realize they won that award as a team.  Bravo!