MJMANDALAY
01-27-2007, 09:04 PM
SEATTLE (Reuters) - World champion Kimmie Meissner capitalised on her nearest rival's error to capture a first national title at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Spokane, Washington on Saturday.
Leading after the short programme, Meissner could only finished third in the free skate section but her performance was still strong enough to capture the title when her closest challenger, Emily Hughes, fell on one of her jumps.
Hughes's mistake resulted in an automatic one-point deduction and that turned out to be the difference between the two skaters.
The 17-year-old Meissner wound up with 181.68 points, while Hughes, who turned 18 on Friday, finished on 180.86.
Alissa Czisny finished ahead of both Meissner and Hughes in the free skate and moved up from fifth to third place in the final overall standings.
Meissner was the first woman since Kristi Yamaguchi in 1991 to win a world title before taking national honours.
With veterans Michelle Kwan and Sasha Cohen both absent from the competition for the first time in a decade, Meissner was expected to win the title with relative ease.
But her indifferent performance in the free skate opened the door for Hughes, who missed a golden opportunity for victory with her fall.
Later on Saturday, two-times world bronze medallist Evan Lysacek and defending U.S. champion Johnny Weir will battle for the men's title.
Leading after the short programme, Meissner could only finished third in the free skate section but her performance was still strong enough to capture the title when her closest challenger, Emily Hughes, fell on one of her jumps.
Hughes's mistake resulted in an automatic one-point deduction and that turned out to be the difference between the two skaters.
The 17-year-old Meissner wound up with 181.68 points, while Hughes, who turned 18 on Friday, finished on 180.86.
Alissa Czisny finished ahead of both Meissner and Hughes in the free skate and moved up from fifth to third place in the final overall standings.
Meissner was the first woman since Kristi Yamaguchi in 1991 to win a world title before taking national honours.
With veterans Michelle Kwan and Sasha Cohen both absent from the competition for the first time in a decade, Meissner was expected to win the title with relative ease.
But her indifferent performance in the free skate opened the door for Hughes, who missed a golden opportunity for victory with her fall.
Later on Saturday, two-times world bronze medallist Evan Lysacek and defending U.S. champion Johnny Weir will battle for the men's title.