Ottawa (AFP) - Don Laws, coach of reigning Canadian champ Patrick Chan, will not be at rinkside when the world silver medallist defends his national figure skating title next week in London, Ontario.

Laws told Skate Canada he would also not accompany Canadian Olympic contender Chan to the upcoming Winter Games in Vancouver where the 19-year-old will be under intense pressure to win a medal on home soil.

The apparent end of their coaching relationship was announced Friday by Skate Canada.

While Laws is based in Florida where Chan has trained most of the last two years, the gold medal hopeful shifted his training site to Colorado Springs in recent weeks. It appears that decision did not sit well with Laws.

Chan, coming off a calf injury in early fall, faltered badly at Skate Canada International in November.

He fell four times on various triple jumps in his season debut and ranked sixth overall. His total score was a whopping 50 points off his best last season when he won three gold medals in ISU competition.

In Colorado, Chan has been working with Christy Krall, a technical expert who uses a computer programme called Dartfish to analyze the mechanics of a skater's jumping technique.

But Chan's primary coach going forward will be Lori Nichol, his long-time choreographer based in his home town of Toronto.

"I am extremely comfortable with where I am at in my preparation and training for both the BMO Canadian Figure Skating Championships and the Olympics," Chan said in the statement.

"Lori Nichol will take on the responsibility of leading my final preparation and competition strategy through the Olympics.

"I am very fortunate to have had such a long and close relationship with Lori and I respect her talents immensely.

"Lori, along with Christy Krall, provides me with a team that I have full confidence in and I am looking forward to continuing my journey with them."

Chan also extended his sincere thanks to Laws for all that the veteran coach had done for him over the past few years.

Mike Slipchuk, Skate Canada's high performance director, said "Don Laws' knowledge and guidance has been a valued asset to Patrick's skating. Skate Canada fully supports the team of Lori Nichol and Christy Krall and the technical expertise and competitive preparation they will bring to Patrick leading to the Olympic Games."

The Canadian Championships begin Wednesday at the John Labatt Centre arena where Chan will try to win his third straight national crown.