Four months ago they won their first national title. Today they are history.
Caitlin Yankowskas and John Coughlin, the Colorado Springs pairs team that took nationals in January, announced today they are ending their partnership.
They gave no reasons for the decision in a statement and refused to comment further.
“Emotionally, this has been a roller coaster year for us,” Coughlin said in the statement. “Our finishes on the Grand Prix circuit and at the U.S. Championships and Worlds are something we are very proud of together and will cherish always.”
It’s a shocking development to one of the more emotional stories in U.S. figure skating this season.
Coughlin’s mother, Stacy, died from a chronic respiratory disorder in February 2010. She got Coughlin into skating as a young boy in Kansas City, Mo., and the team dedicated the song in their long program, “Ave Maria,” the story of a fallen angel, to her.
In their fourth year together, they had their most successful season, earning fourth place at the NHK Trophy and a bronze in the Cup of China for their first Grand Prix podium. After winning nationals, they went to Moscow for their first World Championships and finished sixth, the best finish for an American pairs team in five years.
Coughlin, 25, will weigh his future options. Yankowskas, who turns 21 Friday, will search for another partner.
“I will forever cherish the memories and success that John and I had together,” she said in the statement. “I respect and support John unconditionally with his future endeavors.”
John Henderson: 303-954-1299 or jhenderson@denverpost.com.
