Caydee Denney and John Coughlin Announce Partnership

Colorado Springs, Colo. (May 17, 2011) - Caydee Denney and John Coughlin, both of whom have been crowned U.S. champions with previous partners, announced today they will compete as a pairs team starting in the 2011–12 season.

“We’re excited to start this new chapter in our careers. The partnership felt right from the start, and we were immediately comfortable on the ice together,” Denney and Coughlin said. “While we are grateful for the success we have enjoyed in the past, we look forward to the opportunity that lies ahead.”

The duo will train under coach Dalilah Sappenfield at the Broadmoor Skating Club in Colorado Springs, Colo.

“I’m thankful that Caydee and John had a successful tryout, and that this partnership came together,” said Sappenfield, who coached Coughlin in his most recent partnership with Caitlin Yankowskas. “These are two great U.S. athletes, and I’m pleased they have chosen to continue their careers together. I’m honored to help guide them toward their dreams.”

Denney relocated to Colorado from her native Wesley Chapel, Fla., after ending her three-year competitive career with Jeremy Barrett. Denney and Barrett, who represented the United States at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, earned three medals at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships: silver in 2009, gold in 2010 and bronze in 2011.

Coughlin ended his four-year on-ice partnership with Yankowskas earlier this month. The pair won the 2011 U.S. title and captured one medal in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series, a bronze at the 2010 Cup of China.

They concluded the 2010–11 season by placing fourth at the 2011 ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in February and finishing sixth at the 2011 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in April.

“We realize we have a lot of work ahead of us, but we will lean on our experience as pairs skaters,” Coughlin said. “We have high standards and will do whatever it takes to establish ourselves and set ourselves apart as a strong team.”

Renee Felton

U.S. Figure Skating Communications

20 First Street

Colorado Springs, CO 80906

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– About U.S. Figure Skating –

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