SKATING Goebel excited about various changes

Olympic bronze medalist Timothy Goebel will move from California to Virginia.
By NANCY ARMOUR
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Between the never-ending problems with his equipment and the injuries that followed, Olympic bronze medalist Timothy Goebel knew he wasn't skating his best.
Still, even he was surprised to see the proof on videotape.
"It's really incredible to sit there and pull a jump apart and realize just how many components there are and how very, very minute changes can have an effect on a jump," he said.
With the Turin Olympics less than 18 months away, Goebel is making those minute changes -- and some big ones, as well.
He and coach Frank Carroll recently ended their four-year partnership, and Goebel is now training with Audrey Weisiger, former coach of his U.S. rival Michael Weiss. He'll move from Southern California to Virginia after he returns from this weekend's Trophee Eric Bompard in Paris.
"There has been a lot of upheaval and a lot of things that were out of my control," Goebel said of his struggles over the past year. "The change is going to be great. It's a great opportunity for me to work with Audrey. I'm really excited for the opportunity to go and work with her, and see just how far I can push myself and push my skating."
The right skates
After winning a bronze medal at the Salt Lake City Olympics and back-to-back silver medals at the world championships, Goebel had big hopes for last season. Always one of the best jumpers in the world, the "Quad King" had worked hard on his artistry and expression to become a more complete skater. He couldn't wait to show it off with his new free skate program. Only he couldn't find the right pair of skates.
Boot problems are an occupational hazard for skaters, but Goebel's caused him so much pain he could barely train. He tried more than a dozen pair, but nothing worked. Though he won one Grand Prix event and finished second at another, he knew something was wrong.
"I was just trying to do the best I could and get through the events as much as possible," he said.
After he struggled through the short program at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in January, doctors discovered Goebel's problems went beyond bad boots. Tests showed his body's alignment was off, causing hip, back and leg pain.
Goebel took the rest of the season off, doing long hours of physical therapy. He also switched boot companies, and hasn't had any problems since.
But the season of woe had taken its toll. Goebel's jumps still weren't where they'd been in 2002 or 2003. When Carroll went on vacation in August, he suggested Goebel go to Virginia to work with Weisiger, who uses video training software with her skaters.
"You can put images one on top of each other so they can see a comparison," Weisiger said. "It's very revealing to see a successful jump and then see the error superimposed."
With a "before-and-after" tape in hand, Goebel went back to California to train for the new season with Carroll. But a couple of months later, they both agreed it was time for Goebel to work with someone else.
"It really isn't one exact thing," Goebel said. "Frank and I just thought it would be good for me and my skating just to get a different perspective on things."
Weisiger was in Canada when she got a phone call from Carroll, asking if she'd work with Goebel full-time. Though surprised, Weisiger didn't hesitate.
"I'm really excited about this," she said. "I've always had a lot of ideas about what I could do with a skater like Tim, and I can't wait to unleash them on him."