Kimmie Meissner gets through bumpy practice

Everett, Wash. -- Kimmie Meissner, still seeking the form that helped her win the 2006 world figure skating championship and 2007 U.S. title, had a rocky session Friday as she practiced for the start of the women's competition Saturday at Skate America.

Meissner, of Bel Air. Md., fell four times in her warm-up and again on a double axel while practicing her long program. She also appeared to be off balance on a couple of landings and touched her hand to the ice on landing a toe jump.

Richard Callaghan, who took over as her coach shortly before the last World Championships, said the process of rebuilding her confidence and her technique continues.

"Since the end of May I think we've had the time to go back and correct some jump techniques and work on the speed of the spins and the jumps," said Callaghan, the coach of 1998 Olympic gold medalist Tara Lipinski.

"We had to take things apart a little bit, but things have come back together pretty good, I feel. This is the very first time she's shown the long program so she was worried a little bit about that. Her legs were very tight today, so some of the things that happened today I thought were great because she was so tight. There were a few too many mistakes."

If there were a best practice award, it would probably go to Yu-na Kim of Korea, who sailed through her warm-up and routine with an easy grace and solid jumping skills. Kim, the bronze medalist at the last two World Championships, trains in Toronto with coach Brian Orser, the 1984 and 1988 men's Olympic silver medalist.   

More later on the ice dance compulsory dance, the pairs short program and the men's short program, all taking place later today.

-- Helene Elliott

Photo: Kimmie Meissner performs in this afternoon's ladies short program practice at Skate America. Credit: Timothy A. Clary / AFP / Getty Images