Bad season behind her, Meissner starting fresh Oct 24, 2008
Rejuvenated by a switch to Richard Callaghan, who coached Tara Lipinski to the gold medal at the Nagano Olympics, Meissner is eager to prove the old Kimmie is back. She gets that chance right away, facing Kim Yu-na, winner of the last two Grand Prix finals, and rising American stars Mirai Nagasu and Rachael Flatt this weekend at Skate America in Everett, Washington. (MSNBC -- Sports)
From Field To Film: Athletes Who've Acted Oct 8, 2008
Tara Lipinski: Tara Lipinski skated her way into the hearts of Americans when she won gold in ladies' figure skating at the 1998 Nagano Games. But her star power didn't stop there, as she also dabbled in acting. (Click2Houston, TX)
Fearless Germans claim pairs crown Mar 20, 2008
She left longtime coach Pam Gregory and now trains with Richard Callaghan, who coached Tara Lipinski to gold in the Nagano Olympics. Meissner said she isn't bothered by being 7 points out of the lead. (Boston Globe)
Meissner hopes for second chance Mar 19, 2008
Meissner moved quickly to capitalise on her second chance, sacking long-time coach Pam Gregory to train with Richard Callaghan, the former coach of 1998 Olympic champion Tara Lipinski and 1996 world champion Todd Eldredge. "I laugh because I had a previous U.S. champion when he was 30 (Eldredge)," said Callaghan, scoffing at the slightest suggestion that Meissner's best was behind her. (International Herald Tribune -- Sports)
Kimmie Meissner recovers lost confidence, facing a tough field going into Wednesday's short Mar 19, 2008
She just spent five weeks training with Richard Callaghan, who coached Tara Lipinski to an Olympic gold medal and came highly recommended from Meissner's friend Todd Eldredge. His calming influence is already apparent. (International Herald Tribune -- Sports)
US hoping to be world beaters Mar 18, 2008
She is now working with Richard Callaghan, who coached Tara Lipinski to gold at the Nagano Olympics. The Japanese will be the women to beat, with defending champion Miki Ando and Mao Asada, who finished second last year. (Boston Globe)
Belbin, Agosto taking a classical approach Mar 16, 2008
In hopes of reversing her funk, she left longtime coach Pam Gregory after nationals and is now training with Richard Callaghan, who coached Tara Lipinski to Olympic gold. "Obviously I wasn't skating at the level I know I can," Meissner said. (Boston Globe)
Classic look could lift Belbin-Agosto to 1st world title - for them and United States Mar 15, 2008
"What's the point of going to a competition if you don't think you can win it?''The women's competition would seem to be between Kim Yu-na and Japan's Mao Asada, who finished 1-2 at the Grand Prix final. But Kim had to skip Four Continents in her native South Korea because of a hip injury, and it's not clear how healthy she is going into worlds.The American women, meanwhile, are more focused on the number 13 than medals this year.In order to keep three spots at next year's all-important worlds -... (MSNBC -- Sports)
Skater Meissner hoping to end slump in Florida Mar 7, 2008
Two weeks later, she announced she was moving to Florida to train with Richard Callaghan, the coach who led Tara Lipinski to the gold medal at the Nagano Olympics. "It was a lot for me to handle and I was trying as much as I could," Meissner said Thursday. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- More)
Politics being thrown into rings Feb 26, 2008
Hoping to straighten herself out in time for next month's World Figure Skating Championships in Sweden, former champion Kimmie Meissner dumped longtime coach Pam Gregory and signed on with Richard Callaghan, who coached Tara Lipinski to Olympic gold and Todd Eldredge to a world title. Meissner, who's had a rough season, was shaken by her shocking seventh-place finish at nationals and said she had to make changes to regain her focus and confidence. (Boston Globe -- Sports)
National Digest Feb 6, 2008
Meissner will work with Callaghan, who coached Olympic gold medalist Tara Lipinski, through the world championships, which are March 17-23 in Sweden. Meissner won the 2006 world championships and followed it up with her first U.S. title last year. (Creston News Adertiser, IO)
Struggling skater Meissner changes coaches Feb 5, 2008
Meissner will work with Callaghan, who coached Olympic gold medalist Tara Lipinski, through the world championships, which are March 17-23 in Sweden. "I'm just really trying to put all my focus and energy into training for worlds," Meissner said. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- More)
Nagasu captures women's title Jan 29, 2008
73) to become the youngest US champion since Tara Lipinski in 1997. After Nagasu won Thursday's short program, nobody was shocked that she could hang on last night. (International Herald Tribune -- Sports)
U.S. sending second-stringers to world championships Jan 28, 2008
"I do trust our international committee to select the best team possible,'' said Ron Hershberger, president of U.S. Figure Skating.advertisementYes, but put a big asterisk after that statement. Because of age restrictions, the United States can take only one medalist, Ashley Wagner. With new champion Mirai Nagasu, runner-up Rachael Flatt and fourth-place finisher Caroline Zhang all too young, the United States had to reach down to the fifth- and seventh-place finishers at the U.S. Figure Skating... (MSNBC -- Sports)
Skating youth limit is one for the ages Jan 28, 2008
Had it been in effect in the mid-1990s, it would have prevented Oksana Baiul, Michelle Kwan and Tara Lipinski each from going to world championships they ended up winning. In 2006, the International Skating Union held a congress where a topic of this importance probably should have attracted someone's attention. (USA Today -- Sports)
Nagasu second-youngest to claim U.S. title Jan 28, 2008
Only Tara Lipinski in 1997 was younger when she won the title, and the Olympic gold medalist only has Nagasu beat by about a month. Skating to "Coppelia," the story of a doll that comes to life, Nagasu played on her youth and size -- she's 4-foot-11. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- More)
Best U.S. women are still 'juniors' Jan 28, 2008
Meissner is the first U.S. woman since Tara Lipinski in 1998 who wasn't able to defend her title. "The last two competitions haven't been her best," Hershberger said. (News & Observer -- Sports)
WINTER SPORTS / Nagasu short in size but big in promise Petite 14-year-old... Jan 27, 2008
" Fully alive, she danced across the ice with light and airy footwork. She landed six triple jumps, three in combination, and showed great stamina by picking up speed as the program went along. Perhaps most impressive is that this is the first time Nagasu has competed a 4-minute program. She spent the fall on the junior international circuit, where she only had to do a 3 1/2-minute routine. Defending champion Kimmie Meissner's stunning decline continued with another mistake-filled program. Two... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
Nagasu a champion at age 14 Jan 27, 2008
That other mighty mite, Olympic gold medalist Tara Lipinski, ended up doing pretty well for herself. When her scores flashed, Nagasu looked at the screen with curiosity. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Age limit a tricky wicket in figure skating Jan 25, 2008
Oksana Baiul was 16 when she won in 1994, Tara Lipinski was 15 in 1998 and Sarah Hughes was 16 in 2002. So one would think this would portend great things for the U.S. duo of Caroline Zhang and Mirai Nagasu, born little more than a month apart in the spring of 1993 (yes, 1993), making them both 14 as they debuted as senior (Olympic division) skaters at the 2008 U.S. figure skating championships Thursday. (USA Today -- Sports)
US figure skating championships old hat to Meissner Jan 24, 2008
No women's titlist has been dethroned since Tara Lipinski shocked Kwan in 1997, but Zhang and Nagasu have the game to do it if Meissner is off form. But no matter what happens, Meissner easily should make the world team. (Boston Globe -- Sports)
Weir-Lysacek rivalry gives skating some buzz Jan 21, 2008
"I think that's very exciting.''Figure skating is oh, so pretty, as much art as athleticism, and fans love graceful, lyrical skaters like Michelle Kwan and Sasha Cohen. But for those folks who don't know a lutz from a loop, it's rivalries that get their attention. That Tonya-Nancy dustup may have taken things to the extreme, but get a couple of skaters pushing each other for those precious spots on the podium, and you've got yourself a show.The 1988 Olympics had the "Battle of the Brians'' and... (MSNBC -- Sports)
What would he do? Boitano at home on ice after Olympic glory Jan 21, 2008
Then again, the same changes affected women's skating and there have been seven female U.S. gold medalists three since 1988 (Kristi Yamaguchi in 1992, Tara Lipinski in 1998 and Sarah Hughes in 2002). After he stopped competing, Boitano did not have much interest in coaching. (USA Today -- Sports)
Figure skating having to find its way again Jan 19, 2008
And while Oksana Baiul, Tara Lipinski and Hughes disappeared from view almost as soon as they won their gold medals, Kwan was always there to fill the void. She won nine U.S. titles and five world championships from 1996 to 2006, and was adored by fans and corporate America alike. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Full Story... Oct 31, 2007
She has been coached by the same coaches as other top skaters and skated at the same rinks as Olympic champion Tara Lipinski. Erikson has advanced through the various levels of competition and even began taking conditioning classes, ballet and ice dancing to help her develop her skills. (Albert Lea Tribune, MN)
U.S. stars run too late Oct 28, 2007
Zhangs jumping was reminiscent of an equally young Tara Lipinski a decade ago. And her long, flowing spirals recalled Michelle Kwan at her best. (MSNBC -- Sports)
FAU Alumnus Dr. Marc Philippon '87 Establishes Scholarships Oct 4, 2007
A surgical consultant for teams in the National Football League, National Hockey League, National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball, Philippon also has treated many recognizable names from the world of professional sports, including Greg Norman, Lynn Swann, Tara Lipinski, Mario Lemieux and Jay Fiedler. Published widely, Philippon is a member of the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy Association of North America and the Herodicus Society. (Fausports.com)
Real blades of glory come to D.C. Apr 19, 2007
When the great athlete/celebrities like Michelle Kwan and Tara Lipinski fade from the limelight, the interest and prominence of the sport dwindle. After seeing Champions on Ice at the Verizon Center last Saturday, it is hard to imagine how America could forget the tradition, which is arguably one of the most competitive on Earth. (GW Hatchet, Washington DC)
Stressed, Stretched and Skating on Thin Ice Mar 25, 2007
"Take Tara Lipinski. We love the visual of Tara winning the Olympic gold medal in 1998, she was 15, leaping for joy," Brennan said. "We don't want to know that before she turned 20 she had the hip surgery of a 75-year-old woman and can no longer skate.". (ABC News)
India's first skater has a bad time in world debut Mar 23, 2007
They are both trained in Delaware by Jeff Digregorio, who coached 1998 Olympic champion Tara Lipinski on the novice level. Now that she has skated in the world championships, the next goal would be the 2010 Olympics for Parekh. (International Herald Tribune)
Youth Olympics are a bad idea Mar 22, 2007
"Imagine Tara Lipinski and Michelle Kwan not being able to compete at the Winter Olympics in 1998 where they won the gold and silver medals because they were told they had to be in a teenaged Youth Olympics instead," said U.S. sports agent Mike Burg, who has represented skaters and gymnasts since the 1990s. Now if Rogge wants to put future pixies, the girls who might be one level removed from prime time (we're probably talking 12- and 13-year-olds), into his Youth Olympics, he should ask another... (USA Today -- Sports)
Notebook: Hughes averts dress disaster Jan 28, 2007
"That's why I'm going to train really hard and get the program to the best it can be so when I go there, I can really surprise people.'' Bebe Liang, Danielle Kahle and Juliana Cannarozzo were named alternates for the world team. Junior champ Mirai Nagasu and Caroline Zhang, who won the junior Grand Prix final, headline the team for the junior world championships, which are Feb. 26-March 4 in Obertsdorf, Germany. Ashley Wagner also was named to the team. Cannarozzo, Rachael Flatt and Danielle... (MSNBC -- Sports)
Keeping Score Jan 25, 2007
Tara Lipinski was four months away from turning 16 when she beat 17-year-old Michelle Kwan in 1998. Sarah Hughes was 16 when she upset 23-year-old Irina Slutskaya and Kwan in 2002. (USA Today -- Sports)
Record figures for fans Jan 24, 2007
That hasn't happened in a decade, or since Nicole Bobek (1995), Michelle Kwan (1996), and Tara Lipinski (1997) followed each other. The odds-on favorite is world champion Kimmie Meissner , who would be the first woman since Kristi Yamaguchi (1992) to win her first US crown after she'd won the world title. (Boston Globe -- Sports)
Wanted: New American skating stars Jan 21, 2007
Olympic champions Tara Lipinski and Sarah Hughes took their gold medals and skated off, leaving the sport little chance to capitalize on their star power. TV ratings have been dropping - the women's final in Turin, typically the showcase of an Olympics, got beat in the ratings by American Idol. (AZCentral -- Sports)
