Weiss announces that Don Laws will assume full-time coaching duties

Weiss and Audrey Weisiger part amicably

October 29, 2002

Two-time U.S. Olympian Michael Weiss, also a two-time U.S. National Champion and World bronze medalist (2000 & 1999), announced today that he has made a coaching change, and will now be working with Don Laws on a full-time basis.

Weiss and longtime coach Audrey Weisiger have reached an amicable parting of ways.

"Audrey has been more than a coach to me over the last 18 years … she has been a huge part of my life everyday and had a strong influence in making me the person I am today," said Weiss. "I consider her more than a coach, she is family. I am forever thankful that I’ve had her love and support throughout my career. I may have a new trainer, but Audrey will always be my coach."

Weiss, who finished fifth at last week’s Skate America in Spokane, Washington, feels that the fresh perspective Laws brings to the equation may provide the spark he believes is necessary to regain a competitive edge.

Particularly in light of the fact that the 2003 World Figure Skating Championships will be held not only in the United States, but in Weiss’s hometown of Washington, D.C. (at the MCI Center from March 24-30), he wants to be at the top of his sport.

"After working with someone a long time you kind of reach a plateau," Weiss said. "I needed a change to spark my competitive fire, I want to win again."

Laws has an impressive legacy of former pupils, the most famous being 1984 Olympic Champion Scott Hamilton. He is highly regarded in the figure skating community, and has been selected as a technical specialist by the ISU for the new judging system.

A former world competitor, Laws was the last U.S. National Champion before Weiss representing the Washington Figure Skating Club. Laws is a Washington native who moved back to the area just three years ago, taking the helm as figure skating director at the Gardens Ice Arena in Laurel, Maryland. He was inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 2001.

Weiss had been working with Laws on a limited basis, upon the urging of Weisiger. Over the years, Weisiger had sent Weiss to other elite coaches to gain new perspectives on the sport.

"I have accomplished so much with her, and now I need a spark in my training to get me back on top of this sport, where I know I can be," Weiss said, adding, "It has been a very difficult and painful decision, but I feel it’s a change that can get me back my competitive edge." Weiss will be working with Laws four days a week. Laws will travel with Weiss to Germany but won’t make the trip to France due to previous commitments.