Kimmie Meissner

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Kimmie Meissner
Meissner in 2006.
Personal Info
Country: Flag of the United States United States
Date of birth: October 4, 1989 (1989-10-04) (age 18)
Residence: Bel Air, Maryland
Height: 160 cm (5 ft 3 in)
Coach: Richard Callaghan
Former Coach: Pam Gregory
Choreographer: Nikolai Morozov, Lori Nichol
Skating Club: University of Delaware FSC
ISU Personal Best Scores
Short + Free Total: 189.87 2006 Worlds
Short Program: 64.67 2007 Worlds
Free Skate: 129.70 2006 Worlds
Most Recent Results:
Event Points Finish Year
World Championships 149.74 7th 2008

Kimberly Claire "Kimmie" Meissner (born October 4, 1989) is an American figure skater. She is the 2007 U.S. National Champion, the 2007 Four Continents Champion, and the 2006 World Champion. She is the first American and the first lady to simultaneously hold those titles: World, Four Continents, and National.[1]

In 2005, Meissner became the second American woman to land the triple Axel in competition. She was a member of the 2006 Olympic team and was the youngest American athlete to compete at those Games. She finished 6th at the Olympics in February 2006 and won a world championship the following month. As of March 2008, Meissner is ranked 8th in the world.[2] Meissner is currently a part-time student at the University of Delaware. She is a spokesperson for the Cool Kids Campaign, an organization that helps children with cancer.

Contents

[edit] Personal life

Kimberly Meissner, nicknamed Kimmie, was born in Towson, Maryland, to Judy and Paul Meissner. She is the youngest of four children and the only girl.[3] She is Catholic.[4][5]

Meissner was a full-time student at Fallston High School, a public high school[3] and graduated from there in May 2007.[6] She entered the University of Delaware as a part-time student in the fall semester of that year.[7] Meissner trained for most of her career in Newark, Delaware at the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club, the club she represents in competition. Until February 2008, Meissner lived in Maryland with her family, and lived at home while attending college.[3]

[edit] Skating career

[edit] Early career

Meissner began figure skating at age six after watching her older brothers playing ice hockey.[8] She landed her first triple, a salchow jump, six years later.[8]

In the 2002-2003 season, Meissner placed second at her regional competition[9] and won her sectional competition[10] to qualify for the 2003 United States Figure Skating Championships. At age thirteen, Meissner won the U.S. novice national title, after landing a triple lutz jump in her free skate.[11][12] Following the 2003 Nationals, Meissner was named to the team for the 2003 Triglav Trophy, where she won the bronze medal on the novice level.[13]

The following season, Meissner moved up to the junior level. She won the silver medal at the first event of the 2003-2004 Junior Grand Prix series, in Sofia, Bulgaria.[14] She went on to win the Junior Grand Prix event in Bled, Slovenia, which qualified her for the Junior Grand Prix Final, where she placed 5th. At the 2004 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Meissner was second behind Katy Taylor after the short program[15], but won the free skate, after landing two triple lutzes, to win the Junior national title.[16] At Nationals, Meissner was named to the U.S. team to the 2004 World Junior Figure Skating Championships[17], where she landed her first triple lutz-triple toe combination in competition[8] and won the silver medal behind Miki Ando.

In the 2004-2005 season, Meissner moving up to the senior level nationally but remained a junior internationally. On the 2004-2005 ISU Junior Grand Prix series, the first season the ISU Judging System was being used in junior competition[18], she won silver medals at the event in Courchevel, France[19] and a second silver medal at the event in Long Beach, California[20]. Meissner's two silver medals qualified her for the Junior Grand Prix Final in Helsinki, Finland, where she won the bronze medal, after placing seventh in the short program and second in the free skate[21].

On January 15, 2005, at the 2005 United States Figure Skating Championships, Meissner landed a triple axel jump, becoming only the second American lady to land the jump in competition,[22], fourteen years after Tonya Harding became the first American lady to land the jump.[23] Meissner won the bronze medal. At fifteen, she was not age-eligible for the World Championships[24] and so was named to the team for the 2005 World Junior Figure Skating Championships.[25] At Junior Worlds, Meissner placed third in the short program and fourth in the free, placing fourth overall.[26] After Junior Worlds, Meissner went to Worlds as a guest of ESPN, and watched from the sidelines.[27]

Kimmie Meissner during her long program at the 2005 World Junior Championships
Kimmie Meissner during her long program at the 2005 World Junior Championships

[edit] Senior career

Meissner moved to the senior level internationally beginning in the 2005-2006 Olympic season. She made her Grand Prix debut at the 2005 Trophée Eric Bompard, where she placed fifth. She repeated that placement at her second event, the 2005 NHK Trophy. At the 2006 United States Figure Skating Championships, Meissner won the silver medal and was named to the U.S. team to the 2006 Winter Olympics.[28]

Meissner was the youngest athlete on the US Olympic team.[29] She spent the first week of the Games training in Courmayer, moving to Torino proper a few days before the ladies event began.[30] Meissner skated second in the short program[30] and landed a triple lutz-triple toe loop combination[31] to place fifth in that segment of the competition. Skating second-to-last in the final flight of the free skate[32], Meissner placed sixth in the free and overall.

Following the Olympics, Meissner returned to Baltimore. On the return flight, she partially ruptured one of her eardrums and fully reputured the other.[3] This affected her hearing as she trained for the 2006 World Figure Skating Championships[3], her first senior ISU Championship. At Worlds, Meissner placed second in her qualifying group and fifth in the short program, putting her in third place overall[33] going into the free skate. During the free skate, Meissner completed seven triple jumps, including two triple-triple combinations[34], to win the title. This win made her the first woman since Kristi Yamaguchi to win a world title before a national title. Meissner is also the first woman to win Worlds on her first appearance since Oksana Baiul in 1993. She is the seventh-youngest ladies World Champion in history.[35] Meissner has described this win as changing her career from being the underdog to being expected to win every competition she entered.[3]

Meissner began the 2006-2007 season at the 2006 Skate America, where she won the silver medal, the highest finish of her career until then at a Grand Prix event.[35] At her second Grand Prix event, the 2006 Trophée Eric Bompard, she fell on a triple Axel attempt[35] and placed third overall. At the 2007 U.S. Nationals, Meissner went in as the favorite.[36] She won the title, after winning the short program and placing third in the free skate. This made her the first ladies skater since Barbara Roles to win the national title on the Novice, Junior, and Senior levels.[37]

After Nationals, Meissner went to the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, a competition for senior-level skaters who are not from Europe, for the first time in her career. At the 2007 Four Continents Championships, she fell on her triple-triple combination in the short program and was in sixth place going into the free skate.[38] She won the free skate and the competition overall[39], becoming the first U.S. ladies champion to become the Four Continents Champion. After Four Continents, she went to the 2007 World Figure Skating Championships. At the 2007 World Championships, Meissner achieved a new personal best for her short program[40] where she placed fourth. She did not complete either of her triple-triple combinations in the free skating[41] and placed third in that segment of the competition and fourth overall.

Meissner began the 2007-2008 season by beating reigning World Champion Miki Ando at the 2007 Skate America. This was Meissner's first win the Grand Prix series. She then placed second at the 2007 Trophée Eric Bompard, qualifying her for the Grand Prix Final, where she placed sixth. At the time, she was skating on a sprained right ankle[42], an injury she received during a show.[43] At the 2008 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Meissner placed 4th in the short program and 7th in the free after falling three times[44]. She placed 7th overall. She was selected for the US team to the 2008 World Figure Skating Championships.[45]

Following the 2008 Nationals, Meissner switched coaches from long-time coach Pam Gregory to a temporary arrangement with Richard Callaghan in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.[46]

[edit] Public life, charity work and endorsements

Meissner performs a sit spin at 2005 Junior Worlds
Meissner performs a sit spin at 2005 Junior Worlds
Meissner performs a broken leg sit spin variation at the 2008 Worlds
Meissner performs a broken leg sit spin variation at the 2008 Worlds

When Meissner returned from the 2006 Olympic Games, a parade was held in her honor in her hometown of Bel Air.[47] Following her win at the 2006 Worlds, the town gave one of its main roads, Pennsylvania Avenue, the honorary title of Kimmie Way. She threw out the ceremonial first pitch for the Phillies opening day game[48][49], and a week later[50] for her hometown team, the Baltimore Orioles, on April 14, 2006[51][52]

Following Meissner's win at the 2007 U.S. Nationals, she signed endorsement deals with Subway, Under Armour, and Visa.[53] She has appeared in Subway commercials, including a regional-Baltimore one following the 2006 Olympics,[53] and a national one with Jared Fogle.[54] She appeared in the Under Armour commercial shown during Super Bowl XLII.[55]

Following the 2006 Worlds, Meissner became a spokesperson for the Cool Kids Campaign, an organization for children with cancer.[56] She designed gel bracelets for the organization as a fundraiser.[57] On August 25, 2007, she put on a benefit show in Baltimore called "Kimmie's Angels on Ice" to benefit the charity[58][59] Meissner also co-edits the newsletter for the charity.[60]

[edit] Programs

Season Short Program Free Skating Exhibition
2007–08 The Feeling Begins
by Peter Gabriel, choreographed by Lori Nichol		 Nessun Dorma
by Giacomo Puccini, choreographed by Lori Nichol		 Testify to Love
by Wynonna Judd
2006–07 Snowstorm
by Georgi Sviridov, choreographed by Nikolai Morozov		 Galicia Flamenca Paternera
choreographed by Lori Nichol		 Unwritten
by Natasha Bedingfield
Keep Holding On
by Avril Lavigne
2005–06 Symphonic Dances
by Sergei Rachmaninoff		 Queen of Sheba
by Ottorino Respighi		 Somewhere Over the Rainbow
by Eva Cassidy
Unwritten
by Natasha Bedingfield
2004–05 Reverie
by Claude Debussy		 Daphnis and Chloe Breakaway
by Kelly Clarkson
2003–04 Sand and Water Pines of Rome
by Ottorino Respighi		 Here Comes the Sun
by Linda Eder
2002–03 Raymonda
by Alexander Glazunov		 Symphony No. 5
by Sergei Prokofiev		 Say a Little Prayer
by Diana King

[edit] Competitive highlights

Event 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008
Winter Olympic Games 6th
World Championships 1st 4th 7th
Four Continents Championships 1st
World Junior Championships 2nd 4th
U.S. Championships 1st N. 1st J. 3rd 2nd 1st 7th
Grand Prix Final 6th
Skate America 2nd 1st
Trophée Eric Bompard 5th 3rd 2nd
NHK Trophy 5th
Junior Grand Prix Final 5th 3rd
Junior Grand Prix, USA 2nd
Junior Grand Prix, France 2nd
Junior Grand Prix, Slovenia 1st
Junior Grand Prix, Bulgaria 2nd
Triglav Trophy 3rd N.
  • N = Novice level; J = Junior level

[edit] References

  1. ^ Tim McCarver, Kimmie Meissner. (01 2008). The Tim McCarver Show [Television production]. JMJ Films. Retrieved on 2008-01-20.
  2. ^ ISU World Standings for Figure Skating and Ice Dancing: Ladies (HTML). Retrieved on 2008-03-25.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Wessling, Susan (February 2008). "Kimmie Meissner: America's Newest Golden Girl". International Figure Skating 14 (1): 32–37. Madavor Media. ISSN 1070-9568. 
  4. ^ Towalski, Joe. "Figure skater at U.S. championships someone to watch", The Catholic Spirit, 2008-01-23. Retrieved on 2008-03-05. 
  5. ^ Williams, Jennifer. "Faith, family score highest marks for 16-year-old Olympian skater", Catholic Online, 2006-02-07. Retrieved on 2008-03-05. 
  6. ^ Schuh, Mike. "Figure Skating Champion Kimmie Meissner Graduates", 2007-05-31. Retrieved on 2008-02-04. 
  7. ^ Thomson, Candus. "Fresh start for Meissner", Baltimore Sun, 2007-10-24. Retrieved on 2008-02-04. 
  8. ^ a b c Mittan, Barry. "Kimberly Meissner: Meissner Prepares for Junior Grand Prix Final", Golden Skate, 2004-11-04. Retrieved on 2008-01-20. 
  9. ^ 2003 South Atlantic Regional Championships. Retrieved on 2008-02-06.
  10. ^ 2003 Eastern Sectional Championships. Retrieved on 2008-02-06.
  11. ^ BARRON, DAVID. "Final skate lifts Taylor into second", The Houston Chronicle, 2003-01- 14. Retrieved on 2008-01-09. "Meissner, who included a triple lutz in her routine, received top marks of 4.7. She was the clear winner, posting combined scores ranging from four-tenths of a point to a full point higher than Taylor's." 
  12. ^ "Meissner Hits the Triple Lutz and Lands Gold", U.S. Figure Skating. Retrieved on 2008-02-06. 
  13. ^ TRIGLAV TROPHY 2003. Retrieved on 2008-02-06.
  14. ^ BARRON, DAVID. "Houston's Taylor wins silver at Skate Slovakia", The Houston Chronicle, 2003-09-21. Retrieved on 2008-01-09. "Skate Slovakia is the second event on the ISU's Junior Grand Prix circuit. Kimmie Meissner of the United States won a silver medal at the first stop in Sofia, Bulgaria." 
  15. ^ BARRON, DAVID. "Taylor wins junior short program", The Houston Chronicle, 2004-01-09. Retrieved on 2008-01-09. "Taylor, who turned 14 in October, was named first on all nine scorecards over Kimmie Meissner of Bel Air, Md." 
  16. ^ "Kirk has trouble savoring third-place finish", The Associated Press, 2004-01-11. Retrieved on 2008-01-09. "Meissner did a program that was so technically difficult she could have finished in the top five in the senior division. She did two triple lutzes, one in a sequence with a triple toe loop jump, and had all the other triples." 
  17. ^ U.S. Figure Skating Names International Teams. Retrieved on 2008-01-20.
  18. ^ "Long Beach Hosts Third Junior Grand Prix Event", U.S. Figure Skating, 2004-09-08. Retrieved on 2008-02-06. 
  19. ^ JGP Courchevel Detailed Results. Retrieved on 2008-02-06.
  20. ^ Skate Long Beach Detailed Results. Retrieved on 2008-02-06.
  21. ^ ISU Junior GP Final 2004/2005 Detailed Results. Retrieved on 2008-02-06.
  22. ^ Partain, Amy. "Nine U.S. Titles for Kwan and a Triple Axel for Meissner", U.S. Figure Skating, 2005-01-15. Retrieved on 2007-12-31. 
  23. ^ "Rare jump in 15-year-old's repertoire", 2005-01-14. Retrieved on 2007-12-31. 
  24. ^ Shipley, Amy. "Meissner's Landing Leaves Chills", Washington Post, 2005-01-17. Retrieved on 2007-12-31. 
  25. ^ International Teams Named For Upcoming Championships (HTML) (2005-01-21). Retrieved on 2007-12-31.
  26. ^ ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships. Retrieved on 2008-02-06.
  27. ^ Mihoces, Gary. "Cohen pleased with silver medal", USA Today, 2005-03-20. Retrieved on 2007-12-31. 
  28. ^ "Sasha Cohen, Kimmie Meissner, Michelle Kwan Nominated To 2006 U.S. Olympic Figure Skating Team", U.S. Figure Skating, 2006-01-14. Retrieved on 2008-03-05. 
  29. ^ Fenton, Justin. "Back to normal, but not for long", Baltimore Sun, 2006-02-26. Retrieved on 2008-02-06. 
  30. ^ a b Thomson, Candus. "Just say Meissner has arrived", Baltimore Sun, 2006-02-20. Retrieved on 2008-02-06. 
  31. ^ 2006 Olympics Ladies Short Program Protocol (PDF). Retrieved on 2008-02-06.
  32. ^ Thomson, Candus. "Meissner keeps a sharp edge", Baltimore Sun, 2006-02-23. Retrieved on 2008-02-06. 
  33. ^ Maese, Rick. "Meissner in position for podium", Baltimore Sun, 2006-03-05. Retrieved on 2008-02-06. 
  34. ^ 2006 World Championships Ladies Free Skate Protocol (PDF). Retrieved on 2008-02-06.
  35. ^ a b c Milton, Steve; Gerard Chataigneau (2007). Figure Skating Today: The Next Wave of Stars. Firefly Books. ISBN 1554073359. 
  36. ^ Schwindt, Troy. "Meissner Takes First Step Toward U.S. Title", U.S. Figure Skating, 2007-01-25. Retrieved on 2008-03-07. 
  37. ^ Bunch, Jeff. "She's tough enough: Steady Meissner edges Hughes for gold medal", The Spokesman-Review, 2007-01-28. Retrieved on 2008-01-22. 
  38. ^ Fawcett, Laura. "Rochette Wins Short Program, But Sawada Charms the Crowd", U.S. Figure Skating, 2007-02-08. Retrieved on 2008-03-07. 
  39. ^ Schwindt, Troy. "Meissner Wins Gold, Hughes Collects the Silver at Four Continents", U.S. Figure Skating, 2007-02-10. Retrieved on 2008-03-07. 
  40. ^ Fawcett, Laura. "Great Night of Skating in Ladies Short Program", U.S. Figure Skating, 2007-03-23. Retrieved on 2008-03-07. 
  41. ^ Fawcett, Laura. "Ando Wins Gold; Meissner Fourth at World Championships", U.S. Figure Skating, 2007-03-24. Retrieved on 2008-03-07. 
  42. ^ Thomson, Candus. "History on Meissner's side", Baltimore Sun, 2008-01-23. Retrieved on 2008-01-29. 
  43. ^ BORZI, PAT. "Figure Skating's Next Ones Are Closing in on Their Moment", The New York Times, 2008-01-24. Retrieved on 2008-01-29. 
  44. ^ Thomson, Candus. "Counting on Kimmie", Baltimore Sun, 2008-01-28. Retrieved on 2008-01-29. 
  45. ^ U.S. Figure Skating Announces World, Four Continents and World Junior Teams. U.S. Figure Skating (2008-01-28). Retrieved on 2008-01-29.
  46. ^ Thomson, Candus. "Meissner splits with longtime coach", Baltimore Sun, 2008-02-04. Retrieved on 2008-02-04. 
  47. ^ Fenton, Justin. "Bel Air throws parade for skater", Baltimore Sun, 2006-03-04. Retrieved on 2008-02-06. 
  48. ^ Newman, Mark. "Baseball's back, along with the pomp", MLB.com, 2006-04-04. Retrieved on 2008-02-06. "It was just an incredible day at CBP, from a skydiving team delivering the first ball and the ball being thrown out by 16-year-old Kimmie Meissner, the University of Delaware student who skated in the last Olympics and just won the World Figure Skating Championship." 
  49. ^ Thomson, Candus. "Meissner will take new moves for spin", Baltimore Sun, 2006-06-14. Retrieved on 2008-02-06. 
  50. ^ Seidel, Jeff. "Meissner delivers first pitch for O's", MLB.com, 2006-04-14. Retrieved on 2008-02-06. 
  51. ^ Ginsburg, David. "Orioles 6, Angels 5", 2006-04-14. Retrieved on 2008-02-06. 
  52. ^ "Meissner throws out first pitch at O's-Angels", Associated Press, 2006-04-14. Retrieved on 2008-02-06. 
  53. ^ a b "Kimmie Meissner Lands Three Endorsement Deals", U.S. Figure Skating, 2007-02-01. Retrieved on 2007-12-31. 
  54. ^ Thomson, Candus. "Meissner wears bull's-eye", Baltimore Sun, 2007-03-20. Retrieved on 2008-02-04. 
  55. ^ Rowland, Kara. "Time is money", Washington Times, 2008-01-31. Retrieved on 2008-02-04. 
  56. ^ Thomson, Candus. "Banding together for kids", Baltimore Sun, 2006-06-15. Retrieved on 2008-02-06. 
  57. ^ "Kimmie Meissner Supports Cool Kids Campaign", U.S. Figure Skating, 2006-07-07. Retrieved on 2008-02-04. 
  58. ^ "Meissner To Hold Skate Show In Baltimore", 2007-05-03. Retrieved on 2008-02-06. 
  59. ^ Thomson, Candus. "Routine operation", Baltimore Sun, 2007-08-24. Retrieved on 2008-02-06. 
  60. ^ "Michelle Kwan Traveling to Russia as Public Diplomacy Envoy", U.S. Figure Skating, 2007-06-12. Retrieved on 2008-02-06. 

[edit] External links

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v • d • e
World champions in figure skating – Ladies' singles

1906–07: Madge Syers-Cave · 1908–11: Lily Kronberger · 1912–14: Opika von Méray Horváth · 1922–26: Herma Szabo · 1927–36: Sonja Henie · 1937: Cecilia Colledge · 1938–39: Megan Taylor · 1947–48: Barbara Ann Scott · 1949–50: Alena Vrzáňová · 1951: Jeannette Altwegg · 1952: Jacqueline du Bief · 1953: Tenley Albright · 1954: Gundi Busch · 1955: Tenley Albright · 1956–60: Carol Heiss · 1962–64: Sjoukje Dijkstra · 1965: Petra Burka · 1966–68: Peggy Fleming · 1969–70: Gabriele Seyfert · 1971–72: Beatrix Schuba · 1973: Karen Magnussen · 1974: Christine Errath · 1975: Dianne de Leeuw · 1976: Dorothy Hamill · 1977: Linda Fratianne · 1978: Anett Pötzsch · 1979: Linda Fratianne · 1980: Anett Pötzsch · 1981: Denise Biellmann · 1982: Elaine Zayak · 1983: Rosalynn Sumners · 1984–85: Katarina Witt · 1986: Debi Thomas · 1987–88: Katarina Witt · 1989: Midori Ito · 1990: Jill Trenary · 1991–92: Kristi Yamaguchi · 1993: Oksana Baiul · 1994: Yuka Sato · 1995: Chen Lu · 1996: Michelle Kwan · 1997: Tara Lipinski · 1998: Michelle Kwan · 1999: Maria Butyrskaya · 2000–01: Michelle Kwan · 2002: Irina Slutskaya · 2003: Michelle Kwan · 2004: Shizuka Arakawa · 2005: Irina Slutskaya · 2006: Kimmie Meissner · 2007: Miki Ando · 2008: Mao Asada
v • d • e
Four Continents Champions in Figure Skating – Ladies' Singles

1999: Tatiana Malinina · 2000: Angela Nikodinov · 2001: Fumie Suguri · 2002: Jennifer Kirk · 2003: Fumie Suguri · 2004: Yukina Ota · 2005: Fumie Suguri · 2006: Katy Taylor · 2007: Kimmie Meissner · 2008: Mao Asada
v • d • e
United States national champions in figure skating – Ladies' singles

1914: Theresa Weld · 1918: Rosemary Beresford · 1920–1924: Theresa Weld · 1925–1927: Beatrix Loughran · 1928–1933: Maribel Vinson · 1934: Suzanne Davis 1935–1937: Maribel Vinson · 1938–1940: Joan Tozzer · 1941–1942: Jane Vaughn · 1943–1948: Gretchen Merrill · 1949–1950: Yvonne C. Sherman · 1951: Sonya Klopfer · 1952–1956: Tenley Albright · 1957–1960: Carol Heiss · 1961: Laurence Owen · 1962: Barbara Roles · 1963: Lorraine Hanlon · 1964–1968: Peggy Fleming · 1969–1973: Janet Lynn · 1974–1976: Dorothy Hamill · 1977–1980: Linda Fratianne · 1981: Elaine Zayak · 1982–1984: Rosalynn Sumners · 1985: Tiffany Chin · 1986: Debi Thomas · 1987: Jill Trenary · 1988: Debi Thomas · 1989–1990: Jill Trenary · 1991: Tonya Harding · 1992: Kristi Yamaguchi · 1993: Nancy Kerrigan · 1994: * · 1995: Nicole Bobek · 1996: Michelle Kwan · 1997: Tara Lipinski · 1998–2005: Michelle Kwan · 2006: Sasha Cohen · 2007: Kimmie Meissner · 2008: Mirai Nagasu
*Title stripped from Tonya Harding