This article reminds me of something I have posted before. I do believe that overtraining (in the weight room, or otherwise) might have something to do with Kimmie's jumps: She has developed so much thigh muscle (similar to Carolina Kostner who also has jump inconsistencies) which, I believe, hinders her take-off, revolutions, and/or landings. When she is leisurely stroking in warmups, she almost appears to be muscle bound. Seeing her on television earlier in the season, I noted this and I also thought she was larger overall. Seeing her in person at this Nationals, I can report that she is very thin--except for the muscular thighs. Fat is certainly NOT her problem. I have never been a fan of Kimmie, the skater. But that is personal taste. I know she is a very excellent skater, and I appreciate her example and work ethic. For those reasons, I wish her every success. I would be elated if she brought home another World gold. And I congratulate USFS for naming her to the team! Kudos to both!!!!
Meissner Article
- Thread starter flying camel
- Start date
Off topic a bit:
Kimmie's magical dress for the FS is my all-time favorite dress ever, I still can't get over it days later, and was wondering if this dress was actually meant for her "Ever After" program, which I have never seen, but have read about.
The dress is like something out of a fairytale, and brings to mind Drew Barrymore in the movie Ever After, at the end, wherein she comes to the ball wearing that heavenly creation. Truly spellbinding.
It matches Kimmie's skin tone perfectly, and brought out her strawberries & cream complexion exquistely. And the added touch to her elegant hair with those miniature white flowers was perfect.
Sorry for going off topic a bit, but in all my decades of watching skating, I just had to say that Kimmie's FS dress is my all-time favorite ever. So now I'm off to search for more pictures of that fairytale dress!
Kimmie's magical dress for the FS is my all-time favorite dress ever, I still can't get over it days later, and was wondering if this dress was actually meant for her "Ever After" program, which I have never seen, but have read about.
The dress is like something out of a fairytale, and brings to mind Drew Barrymore in the movie Ever After, at the end, wherein she comes to the ball wearing that heavenly creation. Truly spellbinding.
It matches Kimmie's skin tone perfectly, and brought out her strawberries & cream complexion exquistely. And the added touch to her elegant hair with those miniature white flowers was perfect.
Sorry for going off topic a bit, but in all my decades of watching skating, I just had to say that Kimmie's FS dress is my all-time favorite ever. So now I'm off to search for more pictures of that fairytale dress!
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2003
Have to agree with you, Dizzy. Kimmie is in a bad slump and no one knows why or more importantly, how to wake her up. That is the stage she is at now. My previous comments were not stating the past, but asking questions about trying to give a reason because no one in this forum knows the answer.
Joe
Joe
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2007
Muscularity is not bad! We couldn't move without it. But each sport and each individual has its own, ideal conditioning. As a matter of fact, pairs skating takes a different conditioning (for men) than does single skating. Since Kimmie is having problems, something is askew, whether mental or physical. Perhaps its the lingering effects of the ankle sprain. One can be assured that her team is certainly attempting to correct whatever the problem might be. And the writer of the article thought conditioning (too much) might be a source.
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- Joined
- Jul 11, 2003
Sorry, I think you did offer a possibility which is understandable. I've noticed that muscle people even have a difficult time walking without adrenalin. Maybe Kimmie should get a masseur after practicing if she doesn't already have one.
Joe
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2007
It seems to be a mental problem, if she is consistent in practice. I don't think that she is too muscular / heavy. She seems really thin and petite to me. But the pressure she is under must be horrible.
On the one hand people keep saying the new generation of American skaters is on its way and they are going to sweep everything like they swept Junior Worlds last year. So all this hype about the new ones must be getting to her, it practically says "in 2010 you won't play a role - we will have better girls then, you don't stand a chance".
But on the other hand they desperately want her to perform well - at least till the end of this season, so next year when the babies are eligible the US-ladies will still have three places at worlds. After the GPF there were at least 3 threads here that were talking about the chances of keeping three spots at the worlds - everybody was in panic. This must be horrible for her, her only value to US-ladies-figureskating is now to keep these three spots - that's her last job. After that she can retire, there are newer, shinier and younger stars to replace her.
This has nothing to do with Kimmie, but Euro trash? Agreed, it was not the best competition ever. The European ladies are rather weak, we knew that before the Europeans started (I really hope Sarah Meier can integrate her Triple-Triple into her program till worlds, the ones I have seen from her don't look bad...). But please show me one skater at the Japanese, Canadian or US-Nationals that has the artistry, the originality and the expression of Stéphane Lambiel (and before everyone says Patrick Chan - I don't think he is there yet).
And it is not like Verner sucked completely, I am not a big fan of the music in his LP - but he really interprets the music well, has some creative choreography and mostly beautiful, beautiful jumps. And the last two minutes of his short program are so amazing.
The French guys were disappointing, I admit that. But what about Voronov, he could only do one Triple Flip because of his injuries - but he was technically clean (beautiful, beautiful Quad by the way, the best of the entire competition, there wasn't a better Quad at the US- or Canadian Nationals either) and though he can't compete artistically with Lambiel and Verner - yet, I wouldn't call him a jumping puppet, he looks a bit rough around the edges, but he will improve!
Excuse me now, I have to change my signature. I can't support an American skater after that kind of remark. - Done!
On the one hand people keep saying the new generation of American skaters is on its way and they are going to sweep everything like they swept Junior Worlds last year. So all this hype about the new ones must be getting to her, it practically says "in 2010 you won't play a role - we will have better girls then, you don't stand a chance".
But on the other hand they desperately want her to perform well - at least till the end of this season, so next year when the babies are eligible the US-ladies will still have three places at worlds. After the GPF there were at least 3 threads here that were talking about the chances of keeping three spots at the worlds - everybody was in panic. This must be horrible for her, her only value to US-ladies-figureskating is now to keep these three spots - that's her last job. After that she can retire, there are newer, shinier and younger stars to replace her.
This has nothing to do with Kimmie, but Euro trash? Agreed, it was not the best competition ever. The European ladies are rather weak, we knew that before the Europeans started (I really hope Sarah Meier can integrate her Triple-Triple into her program till worlds, the ones I have seen from her don't look bad...). But please show me one skater at the Japanese, Canadian or US-Nationals that has the artistry, the originality and the expression of Stéphane Lambiel (and before everyone says Patrick Chan - I don't think he is there yet).
And it is not like Verner sucked completely, I am not a big fan of the music in his LP - but he really interprets the music well, has some creative choreography and mostly beautiful, beautiful jumps. And the last two minutes of his short program are so amazing.
The French guys were disappointing, I admit that. But what about Voronov, he could only do one Triple Flip because of his injuries - but he was technically clean (beautiful, beautiful Quad by the way, the best of the entire competition, there wasn't a better Quad at the US- or Canadian Nationals either) and though he can't compete artistically with Lambiel and Verner - yet, I wouldn't call him a jumping puppet, he looks a bit rough around the edges, but he will improve!
Excuse me now, I have to change my signature. I can't support an American skater after that kind of remark. - Done!
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I re-watched the Ladies' free coverage on Ice Network (I noticed they are linked at the top of the screen so it's safe to mention them by name now??)...and fast forwarded to the part where Hammond said they gave the ovation for Meissner. It's incredible IMO how she managed a smile there because once NBC went back on the air she looked like she was about to lose it, then the scores came up. Wouldn't be surprised if, once away from the cameras and media attention, she just let it all out.
I really hope she can find something that makes her feel better. Very tough to watch, especially since her likability makes you want the best for her.
I really hope she can find something that makes her feel better. Very tough to watch, especially since her likability makes you want the best for her.
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- Joined
- Jun 21, 2003
Joy in Goteborg
The outlook wasn't brilliant, U.S.A was filled with woe.
For Mao and Yuna led with but three skaters yet to go.
Now Ashley was untested, and Bebe hit-and-miss
It seemed like U.S. fans would have more cry and not much kiss.
But Ashley hit her triples, not a bobble, not a fall,
And BB brought her A game, to the wonderment of all,
And when the dust had settled, and we saw what had occurred…
There was Ashley safe at second, and Bebe huggin’ third!
Then from a million throats and more there rose a lusty yell,
It rumbled through the valleys, it rattled in the dell,
It knocked upon the mountains, and recoiled upon the flat…
For Kimmie, mighty Kimmie, was advancing to the bat!
(to be continued
)
I hope she doesn't look at it that way. Next year is next year, but what everyone is saying is that this season, Kimmie is the go-to girl. She's the one you want to send to the plate with the score tied in the ninth inning:
The outlook wasn't brilliant, U.S.A was filled with woe.
For Mao and Yuna led with but three skaters yet to go.
Now Ashley was untested, and Bebe hit-and-miss
It seemed like U.S. fans would have more cry and not much kiss.
But Ashley hit her triples, not a bobble, not a fall,
And BB brought her A game, to the wonderment of all,
And when the dust had settled, and we saw what had occurred…
There was Ashley safe at second, and Bebe huggin’ third!
Then from a million throats and more there rose a lusty yell,
It rumbled through the valleys, it rattled in the dell,
It knocked upon the mountains, and recoiled upon the flat…
For Kimmie, mighty Kimmie, was advancing to the bat!
(to be continued
)
well...You know, once in a while the rookie DOES hit that winning shot or make the game-changing play, too.
(the funny thing is, though, that Meissner WAS that rookie back in 2006 when the US favorite, Cohen, struck out.)
But in all seriousness I'm somewhat concerned about her, that her problems are deep-rooted and not just something that will disappear in a couple months of "intensive training and prep". One bad performance can be written off as a fluke, maybe even two, but Kimmie has been struggling ALL SEASON long, capped off with two, back-to-back meltdowns. Something can't possibly be right, and the problem cannot simply be something "trivial". I think there's something Team Meissner is keeping private, likely personal issues. Speculation is running rampant on forums, including here on GS, and even in this very thread, that she should switch coaches/and or her environment, that she should take a break, etc. But none of us will know for sure. I can't even be 100% sure she will attend in Sweden the way things seem to be going.
Now, if Meissner should go to Worlds and, heaven forbid, strike out (literally, too, since she's had back-to-back horrible performances...) who will step up to fill in for her? Liang? Nah, hardly a chance. If Meissner had fallen twice instead of three times, I'm not too sure Liang would have beaten her.
What about the unproven, untested Wagner? No, too much to ask her for. I think a top 10 finish will be enough of an accomplishment for her. At least Meissner had the Olympic experience before HER first worlds...
So I think this situation is sticky, but only temporarily so. It's up to the two ladies who go to LA to do well enough to get back 3 spots for the Oly's.
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- Joined
- Feb 17, 2007
We have a little better handle on how Ashley and Bebe will fare in international competition after the Four Continents. We will also see Katrina in action, but she's not going to Sweden.
By the way, does Katrina deserve a bio on USFSA's web page? :scratch:
By the way, does Katrina deserve a bio on USFSA's web page? :scratch:
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2003
Why doesn't someone do the analytical approach. There is in the mix:
Mao
Viki
YuNa
Carolina
Sara
Lepisto (don't know first name)
Joannie
Definitely the first three will be on the podium, and I believe Carolina will be 4th. If one of the Americn gals can get a 5th, and one more an 8th, that'l do it. A 6th and a 7th will also do it..
Remember Viki is the weakest link for the podium. Lepisto is not the most consistent skater, and one never knows with Joannie. Carolina and Sara should do well, but one never knows for sure on that night of nights.
I'm thinking the cool head of Ashley with her big tricks can rack up enough points to get a bronze or failing that a 5th place. The rest is up to Kimmie and Bebe.
Joe
Mao
Viki
YuNa
Carolina
Sara
Lepisto (don't know first name)
Joannie
Definitely the first three will be on the podium, and I believe Carolina will be 4th. If one of the Americn gals can get a 5th, and one more an 8th, that'l do it. A 6th and a 7th will also do it..
Remember Viki is the weakest link for the podium. Lepisto is not the most consistent skater, and one never knows with Joannie. Carolina and Sara should do well, but one never knows for sure on that night of nights.
I'm thinking the cool head of Ashley with her big tricks can rack up enough points to get a bronze or failing that a 5th place. The rest is up to Kimmie and Bebe.
Joe
I think that's asking a LOT out of her. I think at best we can *reasonably* expect about 8th place or so.
The only scenario I see unfolding in which we are actually successful is if Meissner and Wagner go 6-7 (in either order). You have the Asians, Kostner, Rochette, Meier possibly...that's 7 right there and at least two must be beaten by them. It's not going to be an easy one.
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- Joined
- Feb 17, 2007
Quite correct. But as I recall, 7th or 8th was all we could reasonably expect of Kimmie back in '06.
The fact is, when we do send 3 girls, the 3rd generally doesn't place well. So if we do lose a spot for '09, our chances of 3 spots for '10 wouldn't change that much.
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2003
She won.
(No, not bad at all.)She won.
You missed the point MM
The Olympics was Kimmie's international championship debut. She placed 6th at that competition. The worlds followed, in which she stunned everyone by winning.
The upcoming Worlds will be Wagner's international championship debut. She will place ??
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