Orser Leaks Details of Kim Yu-na`s New Programs

The former coach of Olympic figure skating champion Kim Yu-na has worsened their conflict by leaking details of her programs for the new season.

Brian Orser, 49, mentioned the free program Kim is preparing to AFP Thursday while explaining his separation from Kim. He said the song has been compiled with Korean music on the basis of Arirang, Korea`s most famous traditional song.

"It is a fantastic program, by far the best one I’ve seen," he said. "It is well beyond even her (Olympic program) Concerto in F. It’s a complete departure."

He also commented on her short program, saying choreography for the performance will be completed by Shae-Lynn Bourne early next month.

Kim has been extra cautious about releasing details of her new programs ahead of a season. She usually publicized a song title only after a program was close to completion ahead of a tournament.

Her new program was expected to be made public late this year or the next ahead of the world championship in March next year.

Orser’s leak of the song title without Kim’s consent violates a conventional practice in figure skating. Analysts say Orser made the comments to gain the upper hand amid the dispute over his split with Kim.

His leak could be a warning to Kim’s side against making comments that dampen his image or interests.

“Yu-na needed to know this had been done. She knew something was up. This was two-and-a-half weeks after the fact and we tried to let everything go along and perhaps there might be a change, but nothing was happening," Orser said.

Others say, however, that Orser might have said what he did without serious thought in the interview.

Kim’s side blasted him irrespective of the past relationship between the skater and coach. Her management agency AT Sports said, “Leaking the new program to the public without prior consultation goes beyond the moral standards for a sports leader.”

Kim’s Canadian choreographer David Wilson also said, “I was never aware that coach Orser would publicize her program in the media. He never said anything prior to the interview. I was very surprised and embarrassed.”

Kim will hold an ice show jointly with five-time world champion Michelle Kwan at the Staples Center in Los Angeles Oct. 2-3. The performance will be her first since her split with Orser.

creating@donga.com