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Meissner Makes Her Move
Kimmie Meissner, an 18-year-old from Bel Air, Md., has been tutored by Richard Callaghan for more than six months in hopes of recovering from a slump over the past year.
(By Koichi Kamoshida -- Getty Images)
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"I've been doing pretty good," Meissner said. "I'm at maybe a 'B,' if I have to give myself a grade. I'm pretty close to where I want to be, but I'm still working out the kinks in my program."
Eldredge said Meissner, who at 15 became the first U.S. woman since Tonya Harding to land a triple axel, has improved dramatically since last winter, appearing happier and stronger on the ice. But, he noted, jumps don't come as easily as they used to. And, Eldredge said, one of her best traits often works against her in competition.
"She's the nicest person in the world," he said. "She's sweet and kind-hearted. As a skater, that's the only thing I would change about her: her fight. She's too nice. It's just not her personality, but I'd like to see her more aggressive."
Indeed, rather than trying to unleash some sort of internal animal, Meissner seems to prefer to settle into a zone of mental comfort and physical readiness. She wants nothing to do with the unrest of last season, a point she makes clear by looking away and waving her hands in protest when queried about it. "No," she said pleadingly, "I don't want to think about it."
She will discuss her failures only generically, saying she never got her head in the right place and wound up entering competitions feeling unprepared.
Meissner seems to have found peace in Florida. She is at the rink from 8:50 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., so she packs a lunch, then heads to the gym or Pilates classes before calling it a day. She goes to the beach, movies and restaurants on weekends, and she has occasionally chatted with members of the NHL's Florida Panthers, who share the practice facility.
None, she said, seems to have any idea who she is, a fact she finds amusing. Indeed, after a recent practice session, Meissner smiled almost constantly as she talked about her new life.
"I love working with Mr. Callaghan," she said. "He's very, very nice. He probably wouldn't want me to say that -- he's got his reputation -- but he's been great for me."
Said Callaghan: "I want her to know how good she is. . . . I want her to feel good about herself."
"But," he added, turning serious, "I would like results."
