http://www.blazingblades.com/08.10.2009.
Former World, U.S. Champion Kimmie Meissner Withdraws from ISU Grand Prix SeriesKimmie Meissner, the 2006 World champion and 2007 U.S. champion, has withdrawn from the 2009 International Skating Union (ISU) Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series because of an injury.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.
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http://english.chosun.com/site/data/htm ... 00638.html08.10.2009.
Kim Yu-na Eager to Start New Figure Skating SeasonKorean figure skating star Kim Yu-na is confident about the new season, which kicks off Friday next week with the first event of the 2009/10 International Skating Union (ISU) Grand Prix Series, Le Trophée Eric Bompard, in Paris. Kim, currently training in Toronto, sent regards to her fans through her management agency on Thursday.
During the off-season, Kim replaced her trademark triple flip-triple toe loop combination with a triple lutz-triple toe loop combination, which has more technical base value. Her success rate with the new combination is nearly the same as that of the old one, she said.
To get ready for the new season Kim does off-ice physical training in the morning and two on-ice practice sessions in the afternoon. "I think I'm better prepared now compared to a year ago both physically and technically," she said.
Kim will skate to her new short program to a James Bond medley, so she has watched each of the Bond movies that featured the songs. "It was very helpful when I was practicing with my choreographer David Wilson to think about the scenes from the movies," she said. "I was concerned about the medley because it's a bit unusual music for figure skating programs. But I've practiced a lot and prepared the program with Wilson so I can't wait to show it," she added.
... 2 TV news about Yu-na Kim:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA5yf1bq7VEhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FiD--a_tYE