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Isk8NYC
10-09-2009, 07:25 AM
Too bad - I was looking forward to seeing her compete.

http://www.usfigureskating.org/Story.asp?id=43610


Former World, U.S. Champion Kimmie Meissner Withdraws from ISU Grand Prix Series

(10/8/09) - Kimmie Meissner, the 2006 World champion and 2007 U.S. champion, has withdrawn from the 2009 International Skating Union (ISU) Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series because of an injury. Meissner had been assigned to the Rostelecom Cup (Oct. 22-25) in Moscow, Russia, and NHK Trophy (Nov. 5-8) in Nagano, Japan.

“After much thought and consideration for what is best for the U.S. Team and my career, it is with great regret that I have decided that I must withdraw from my assigned Grand Prix events,” Meissner said.

Meissner began experiencing pain in her right knee during training earlier this year.

“My knee had become chronically inflamed, swollen and painful,” Meissner said. “After some testing, along with an MRI, I was diagnosed with severe patellar tendonitis and a partial dislocation to my right kneecap.”

Though she has undergone physical therapy the last six weeks, Meissner does not believe she is ready for competition.
“I started adding triple jumps about two weeks ago, and my Salchow, loop, toe and Axel are pain free,” Meissner said, “However, my flip and Lutz still cause pain in the center of my knee.”

After consulting with an orthopedic specialist, Meissner made the decision that, in order to prevent chronic or further damage to her knee, she will withdraw from her upcoming Grand Prix assignments.

“For the United States to be represented properly, especially during an Olympic year, I feel I must put my personal desire to compete aside,” Meissner said.

skatelympics123
10-09-2009, 09:06 AM
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/olympics/bal-te.sp.meissner09oct09,0,7386403.story

As a Marylander, it's sad to see that our local skating hero won't be able to compete on the grandest stage.

Isk8NYC
10-09-2009, 09:49 AM
That's really sad - I didn't realize that withdrawing from the GP series would affect her Olympic prospects.

Interesting though - because she was in the GP, the USFSA gave her a bye for Regionals so she could go straight to the National competition. Since she withdrew from GP, the USFSA withdrew the bye.

Can she get a bye for regionals based on her injury then, and still compete at Nationals in the hopes of nailing a spot for the Olympics?

Skittl1321
10-09-2009, 10:28 AM
The current rulebook says no medical bys. If she had been selfish and gone to the grandprix and done nothing but skate circles she would have kept her bye.

It sounds like the jumps she can land would have been enough to get her through regionals, but they are this or next weekend.

I'm so sad for her.

As a world champion in this olympic cycle, it would have been nice to see her get a shot. But, at least she's had the privelage of being an olympian. So while the (long-shot) chance is being taken away due to yet another injury, she's gotten to live that dream before.

Schmeck
10-10-2009, 02:06 PM
Cohen has withdrawn as well, from Lalique - what does that do to her status, since she has competed in years???

Skittl1321
10-11-2009, 07:16 AM
Cohen has withdrawn as well, from Lalique - what does that do to her status, since she has competed in years???

Cohen's bye to nationals is based on her olympic medal not her gp event. Plus she still has another grand prix event- though whether she goes to it is a totally different story. I think she'll find she is returning to a competitive skating world that is very different than what she left, and not stage her comeback afterall.

But she could make nationals her first competition this year, and technically make the olympic team- I would hope the US officials want to see her compete internationally before handing her that- regardless of how she does at nationals.

Schmeck
10-11-2009, 09:50 PM
Just realized it's not Lalique anymore, LOL! :roll::lol::oops:

flo
10-14-2009, 06:15 PM
Saw Kimmie before she withdrew. She was really working on pushing through her injury. Sorry that it didn't work out for her, but it's nice to have her home. We're on the same fs sessions and it's such a delight to watch her perform.