Meissner may attempt triple axel at u.s. nationals | Golden Skate

Meissner may attempt triple axel at u.s. nationals

hydroradi

Rinkside
Joined
Mar 27, 2004
There was a long article on Kimmie Meissner in the Washington Post today. So I wonder if she does her Triple Lutz-Triple Toe and Triple Axel and lands all her other jumps, where does that put her in the standings?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A57652-2005Jan7.html

Meissner's Talent Is Taking Shape
Figure Skater, 15, Wants to Be The Next Bright Young Star

By Amy Rosewater
Special to The Washington Post
Saturday, January 8, 2005; Page D01

NEWARK, Del. -- While sitting in the locker room at her first pro-am competition this past fall, Kimmie Meissner felt more like a groupie than a competitor.

She and her mother, Judy, watched as five-time world champion Michelle Kwan walked by. They saw reigning world silver medalist Sasha Cohen, too. Reigning national champion Johnny Weir, who used to train with Meissner at the University of Delaware, tried to make the Bel Air, Md., teenager feel part of the club, but she still felt like an outsider.

So when Kwan approached her after their first practice and said, "You did pretty good," Meissner could barely muster a response.

"I just kind of looked at her and said, 'Oh, you did good, too,' " Meissner said. "It was kind of funny. Of course, she did good. She's Michelle Kwan."

Of course Meissner knows about Kwan, who will attempt to become the first woman to win her eighth consecutive title at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, which begin tommorow in Portland, Ore.

But the fact that Kwan knows about Meissner, who won the junior national title last year, is not all that surprising, either. As dominant as Kwan has been, she knows all too well how dangerous young skaters can be. At the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, Japan, Kwan was deemed the overwhelming favorite, but lost to 15-year-old Tara Lipinski. Four years later in Salt Lake City, it was 16-year-old Sarah Hughes who pulled off the upset.

Now, about a year away from the 2006 Olympics in Turin, Italy, some suspect that Meissner, a sophomore at Fallston High School, just might be the next one to sneak in and steal the show. Meissner might not have the name recognition, but she nearly has a triple axel.

The comparisons to Lipinski and Hughes are a bit overwhelming for Meissner and her coach, Pam Gregory, especially since Meissner got the jitters just by meeting Kwan and will be making her first trip to nationals as a senior-level skater this month.

"I don't really want to compare her," said Gregory, who has coached Meissner for about five years. "Kimmie's on her own path, and it's a good path."

Meissner doesn't have the competition experience that Lipinski and Hughes had leading up to their Olympic experience. Lipinski had skated in two world championships, winning the 1997 title, and Hughes had competed in three, winning a bronze medal in 2001. Even if Meissner wins a medal in Portland, she will be ineligible to compete at the world championships in Moscow in March because of her age. Meissner, who turned 15 on Oct. 4, missed the cutoff date by about three months. (The rules have changed since Lipinski won the world title at 14.) Meissner will be age-eligible to compete in the 2006 Olympics, should she qualify.

"It's frustrating," Gregory said of the age rules for worlds. "It's especially frustrating because Tara Lipinski had that experience and that experience probably helped her win the gold medal. But the good thing for Kimmie is that at least she is getting to skate at competitions where she can skate against that caliber of competition."

What makes Meissner so interesting is that even though she's new to the elite scene, she has the technical prowess and a competitive spirit to compete with the big names.

At a practice just before Christmas, Meissner spent nearly all of one 40-minute session working solely on triple axels, the most difficult jump ever landed by a woman. Meissner came close to landing one in competition this season, touching her hand on the ice at the landing. During this particular practice, she landed some with just a slight turn on the landing.

Meissner and a friend, Shaun Rogers, a Millersville, Md., native who also will compete at nationals, were making friendly wagers. He was attempting quads; she was trying the triple axel. Usually, they end up betting for sandwiches or coffee.

At the beginning of the season, Meissner was landing triple axels in practice relatively well, usually with a slightly cheated landing. Then she tweaked a back muscle and had to stop; she has resumed working on them again only recently. Gregory said that they won't decide until the competition whether Meissner will attempt one in the long program. Almost assuredly, Meissner will attempt them in practices at nationals to showcase her potential to the judges.

"She wants to do it, big time," Gregory said. "She knows that in her era of skating she's going to have to do them. She doesn't want to hold back."

If Meissner opts against doing the triple axel at nationals, she still plans to attempt a triple lutz-triple toe loop, one of the most difficult triple-triple combinations for female skaters.

Although Meissner said the triple axel is something she would like to do in competition -- the only American to do so was Tonya Harding in 1991 -- she doesn't want the jump to be her trademark.

"I don't think the triple axel is everything," Meissner said. "I don't want people to miss my other stuff."

To augment her routines, Gregory enlisted choreographer Lori Nichol to design Meissner's long program. Nichol has worked with many of the sport's top skaters but is most known for her help in transforming Kwan from a skinny 13-year-old into a mature artist. Perhaps even more importantly, Nichol also has worked closely with the International Skating Union's new scoring system and can make sure that Meissner maximizes her points at international events.

"I encouraged the Meissners to use Lori," Gregory said. "I wanted something fresh and she's a big player with the new system. I'm just learning about it. I didn't want Kimmie to be my guinea pig."

Nichol was enthusiastic about working with Meissner, mostly because she hasn't worked with a young skater since her days with Kwan. Nichol wanted to work with a skater at the developmental phase again.

"Kimmie is a phenomenal talent to go this far this fast," Nichol said. "I believe in her very much."

What can't be taught is competitive fire, but Meissner has plenty of that. Even if Meissner is not having solid practices, she somehow finds a way to rise to the occasion. At the Junior Grand Prix Final last month in Helsinki, Meissner was considered a top contender but she missed her combination jump and was seventh (out of nine) in the short program. She pulled herself together in the long program and wound up with the bronze medal.

"She always keeps her grace about her," Gregory said. "And if things don't go well, it's not going to be a big trauma."
 

ChiSk8Fan

On the Ice
Joined
Nov 7, 2004
Meisner at Nationals this year-----second place?

If Kimmie lands her combination and stays on her feet and comes close to landing a ratified triple axel, and Sasha Cohen skates a typical performance for her with one or two major mistakes, won't the judges be hard pressed not to place Meisner above Cohen?

A few years ago, the "Baby Ballerinas" were all passing the older skaters, with the exception of Michelle Kwan. One of those "Babies" was Sasha.

Now, Sasha, Angela, Amber and the other older (non-teen) skaters have to watch their placements v. these "kids".

We are seeing the cycle of this type of activity happen again, and Michelle Kwan knows how to handle it well. The others, including Cohen, need not worry so much about Kwan, but the younger, ambitious skaters like Kimmie Meisner.

History does repeat itself in many ways in US Figure Skating, and is often predictable.
 

doubleaxelcm

On the Ice
Joined
Dec 2, 2004
I'm not ruling Kimmie out ... I think it's a shame that she can't go to Worlds in Moscow ... Does that mean that if she medals that she will go to Junior Worlds and the fourth place finisher will go to Worlds?(Assuming they are not in the same predicament as Kimmie.)
 

attyfan

Custom Title
Medalist
Joined
Mar 1, 2004
Yes -- if a medalist is not age-eligible for Sr. Worlds, then an age-eligible fourth place finisher gets to go. That's why fourth place finisher Sarah Hughes got to go to Sr. Worlds in 1999 (under the then-existing rules, she was eligible because she already medaled in Jr. Worlds) instead of silver-medalist (who was too young even for Jrs.) Naomi Nari Nam, and in 2000, fourth place finisher Angela Nikodinov got to go since silver medalist Sasha Cohen failed to medal at Jrs.
 

equestrianguy

On the Ice
Joined
Jan 20, 2004
Hmmmm..Does a 15 yr old really need to be trying to complete a 3a anyway? I mean her bodying is still growing and doesnt her artistic side need to mature first? That's my honest opinion..
 

ChiSk8Fan

On the Ice
Joined
Nov 7, 2004
equestrianguy said:
Hmmmm..Does a 15 yr old really need to be trying to complete a 3a anyway? I mean her bodying is still growing and doesnt her artistic side need to mature first? That's my honest opinion..

Probably they are working on both simultaneously as part of her "curriculum" in learning how to skate at the elite level.
 

show 42

Arm Chair Skate Fan
Record Breaker
Joined
Jul 26, 2003
If she's in good shape, why not go for it. At her age, she's got nothing to lose.....42
 

chuckm

Record Breaker
Joined
Aug 31, 2003
Country
United-States
There are two major reasons why Kimmie should not go for it: (1) it hurts her back (2) she can't complete the revolutions on the jump.

This year, Nationals is still being scored under 6.0, but next year, ALL competitions will be under CoP, and an underrotated triple axel will be rated as a 2A AND GOE points may be taken off, leaving her with 0.

If practicing a 3A hurts her back and she has to practice to try to completely rotate the jump, she could wind up like Tara with a permanent injury, AND like Naomi Nari Nam, with a wrecked career and no OGM.
 

show 42

Arm Chair Skate Fan
Record Breaker
Joined
Jul 26, 2003
If it hurts her back, why in the world is it even discussed as a possibility? 42
 

Fossi

Final Flight
Joined
Aug 23, 2003
:rock: :rock: Another US skater pushing the tecnical envelope. Not since Sarah Hughes has the US seen such an ambitious lady. Bring on the 3/3's and 3axel, and we just might see a NEW US National Champion if the big guns make a mistake.
 

Piel

On Edge
Record Breaker
Joined
Jul 27, 2003
Fossi said:
:rock: :rock: Another US skater pushing the tecnical envelope. Not since Sarah Hughes has the US seen such an ambitious lady. Bring on the 3/3's and 3axel, and we just might see a NEW US National Champion if the big guns make a mistake.

Amber and Jenny both have a 3/3. Sasha has worked on the quad and Michelle has landed a 3/3. She and Cohen are working on a 3/3.Cohen's spins and spirals, Kwans footwork and spirals were all superior technically to Sarah's. I would even say that thier jumps were better.
So, how does that make Hughes more ambitious? :scratch: :scratch: :scratch
 

mzheng

Record Breaker
Joined
Jan 16, 2005
====
"It's frustrating," Gregory said of the age rules for worlds. "It's especially frustrating because Tara Lipinski had that experience and that experience probably helped her win the gold medal. But the good thing for Kimmie is that at least she is getting to skate at competitions where she can skate against that caliber of competition."
====

Well, age rules apply to every one. As good as Kimmie, she still diddn't win JWC, if no age rule restrict, Mao Asada would be there too. Think who is going to win?

I'm all for push the jump difficult envelope. But first get your technique correct, secondery fully rotate your jumps, lastly and/or most important don't injury yourself.
 

thisthingcalledlove

Final Flight
Joined
Sep 24, 2003
chuckm said:
There are two major reasons why Kimmie should not go for it: (1) it hurts her back (2) she can't complete the revolutions on the jump.

This year, Nationals is still being scored under 6.0, but next year, ALL competitions will be under CoP, and an underrotated triple axel will be rated as a 2A AND GOE points may be taken off, leaving her with 0.

If practicing a 3A hurts her back and she has to practice to try to completely rotate the jump, she could wind up like Tara with a permanent injury, AND like Naomi Nari Nam, with a wrecked career and no OGM.

I almost wish figures were reinstated.
 
S

SkateFan4Life

Guest
I say, "Go for it!" đź‘Ť The last time an American woman landed a triple axel at Nationals was back in 1991, the year Tonya Harding won the title. It's time for another American woman to electrify the audience and judges with that jump!
 
Joined
Jun 21, 2003
ChiSk8Fan said:
If Kimmie lands her combination and stays on her feet and comes close to landing a ratified triple axel, and Sasha Cohen skates a typical performance for her with one or two major mistakes, won't the judges be hard pressed not to place Meissner above Cohen?
I absolutely expect fair judging at Nationals. If Kimmie Meissner, or Katy Taylor, or Alissa Czisny blows the roof off, I do not see any advantage to U.S. Figure Skating to hold them back.

Of course, the youngsters have a long way to go to match the maturity of presentation that the older ladies bring. Anything that is remotely close will go to Michelle first, and then Sasha, IMO. (To quote Kimmie, about Michelle: "You did good, too," LOL.)

But it might put Jenny Kirk :love: and Amber Corwin :love: on the bubble.

Mathman
 
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Fossi

Final Flight
Joined
Aug 23, 2003
ITA Mathman. When NNN entered the scene, the judges were impressed and she won silver at her first US Nationals,
The following year, Sasha Cohen came and the judges fell in love...placing her 1st in the SP after Kwan's mistakes, and she eventually won silver in a 5/4 split with Sarah.
The judges won't hold back if the top girls faulter. If Sasha doens't perform, the judges will get tired of giving her gifts when the young up and comers are giving it their all. Same goes for Michelle. The judges didn't hesitate to knock her scores down in "00 with a faulty SP.
 

Vash01

Medalist
Joined
Jul 31, 2003
They will knock down her scores to let her know they are watching, but not enough to knock her out of the world team, regardless of how she skates. However, judging from the state of US ladies these days we are not likely to run into that situation.
 

mzheng

Record Breaker
Joined
Jan 16, 2005
Vash01 said:
They will knock down her scores to let her know they are watching, but not enough to knock her out of the world team, regardless of how she skates. However, judging from the state of US ladies these days we are not likely to run into that situation.

Yes. I agree. US judges has been giving her enough props to lost patiant. If Kimmie, Talyor or any other young next generation skaters out skate her, she will be pushed down, then because age ristriction for these young skaters, Sasha will still in world team. This way, the young skaters (knowing them will be judged fairly as long as they deliver. Unlike AP seeing no future for her after 2003 Nationals just let herself slack down) their confidant got boosted and come back stronger next season; Sasah still got to worlds help get 3 berthes for USFSA to Turino.

The USFSA need new blood!
 
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