Meissner aims for golden finish

Kimmie Meissner knows a window of opportunity when she sees one. And it’s not likely to close before she attempts to leap through.

Meissner, the reigning world champion, is leading a new wave of teens into Spokane for the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. All are more than capable of carrying the torch in the absence of defending national champion Sasha Cohen, who is taking time off to pursue acting and other endeavors.

Meissner, 17, finished ahead of Cohen in the World Championships last March in Calgary, Alberta, as she landed seven triples in her winning performance. Now she appears poised to take her first U.S. senior gold.

Meissner’s track record at this event is impressive: novice champion in 2003; junior champion in 2004; and three medals in the last three senior nationals, including silver last year. In this event in 2005, she became the first U.S. woman since Tonya Harding to land a triple axel in competition.

Meissner paces a trio of skaters who finished second through fourth last year at nationals

“I think it’s definitely who does it that night, which is why I’m training really hard,” Meissner told the Associated Press. “Every time I go out there, I’m really competing against myself.”

Emily Hughes, the younger sister of 2002 Olympic champion Sarah Hughes, captured the bronze in 2006 at St. Louis. She will turn 18 this week and is ready to make a name for herself.

“It’s always exciting going to nationals. Everyone in skating is there and it’s great to be a part of that,” said Hughes. “You get a lot of exposure from it and being national champion is such a great honor.”

Katy Taylor, 17, has followed Meissner through the U.S. ranks (second as a novice in 2003; second as a junior in 2004). She placed fourth last year in the senior division.

Taylor has been working hard at her home rink in Sugarland, Texas, to strengthen confidence in her skating. She will be debuting a new short program this week.

“I feel real confident in my skating. I’m more excited for nationals to come back,” Taylor said. “It’s a great competition. It has that extra excitement to it. … It’s just one of the biggest competitions because you have so many things you can build from there.”

There is a new group of talent behind those three that could also make a splash. Some of them are making the jump from the junior to the senior level.