Meissner and Hughes Pull Out Of Nationals

Kimmie Meissner, the 2006 World champion and 2007 U.S. champion, has withdrawn from the 2009 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Cleveland, Ohio, because of an injury sustained during an off-ice training session about a week ago. "I was sprinting on the treadmill and injured my hip flexor," Meissner said. "I tried to get on the ice, but I'm still experiencing pain doing jumps. I would not be able to compete at 100 percent as I had been planning."

Emily Hughes has also pulled out of the competition due to an injury. "I plan to resume training when my ankle heals and to compete again as soon as possible," said Hughes, who turns 20 on Jan. 29.

Read our complete story on Meissner and Hughes. The American teenagers are just two of a number of skaters forced to the sidelines by injury this season.

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They Said It

U.S. Figure Skating held its pre-national championships press conferences last week. Johnny Weir and Mirai Nagasu had the best lines of the week:

Nagasu on her growth spurts from 4-foot-11 last year to 5-foot-3 this season:  "I did not think it would make a difference but it does. Last year I could not see over the rink wall and now I can."

Weir on the international judging system (IJS): "It is hard to balance - it has become some kind of a national math contest."

The U.S. Championships begin later this week in Cleveland, Ohio. IFS will be reporting from the competition; for all the latest check out our website.

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The News From The Canadian Championships

Cynthia Phaneuf, the 2004 national champion, was in back the spotlight at the Canadian Championships, as she skated into first place in the short program. Defending champion Joannie Rochette place second but showed her championship form as she put down an impressive performance in the free skate and won her fifth straight Canadian crown. "I was really, really proud of myself to pull this off," Rochette said. Phaneuf claimed the silver medal. Both women will be representing Canada at the 2009 World Championships.

Meanwhile, Patrick Chan won his second straight Canadian title with a dominating performance. Jessica Dubé and Bryce Davison rallied to win the pairs title. They were in second place after the short program, but also delivered when it counted to claim their second national title. In ice dance, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir won their second consecutive Canadian crown.

The IFS team was there to capture the news and views, including the podium finishes at the junior level. For all the latest, check out our News Forum.

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A New Role for Karen Preston

Karen Preston is back in the very place where her career began some 28 years ago - on the ice at the Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club. Preston joined the coaching staff there in September. "I was watching what Brian (Orser) and Tracy (Wilson) were doing at the club and saw all the positives. They have developed a positive, encouraging atmosphere here." For our exclusive story, click here.

On The French Front

No doubt French ice dancers Isabelle Delobel and Olivier Schoenfelder, the 2008 World champions, hoped for a better way to ring in the New Year in 2009. After winning their two Grand Prix assignments, Skate America and Trophée Eric Bompard, as well as the ISU Grand Prix Final in Goyang City, Korea, the team was on a winning streak. But they were forced to withdraw from French nationals and Europeans after Delobel suffered a sub-dislocation to her right shoulder during their gala performance in Korea.

See our update online for the latest from France, including the re-emergence of Candice Didier and an introduction to the talented 14-year-old Maé-Bérénice Meité.

It's Not Too Late...

…to buy that final holiday gift for family or friends or splurge on yourself. Our best deals of the season are still going on. Get a one-year subscription to IFS (in the United States or Canada) for $24 (all payments in U.S. funds) and a two-year subscription for $48. For international orders, a one-year subscription costs $48 and a two-year deal is $84. The most cost effective way to subscribe to our magazine is purchase a digital subscription at the low rate of $25. To subscribe to IFS, email our customer service department and ask for this special offer.

And The Winner Is...

The winner of Dash Tours Fan Club Free Trip for two to the 2009 World Figure Skating Championships March 23 to 30 in Los Angeles is Cindy Gale from Pembroke, Ontario. Cindy entered the on line contest on Oct. 3, 2008. Her prize package includes seven nights downtown hotel accommodations, two all-event lower bowl tickets, two practice session passes, two tickets to the Gala Parade of Champions, admission to the Dash Tours opening reception and closing brunch, and two high-power, wide-angle, focus-free binoculars.

Dash Tours still has 25 VIP Lower Deck tickets available for the 2009 World Championships, all in the first 10 rows from the ice, including two front row seats.  Click on one of the ads in this newsletter for complete details or call 1-800-265-0000 for your VIP Tickets to the 2009 Worlds.

Upcoming Events

Jan. 18-25: The U.S. Championships; Cleveland, Ohio
Jan 19- 25: The ISU European Figure Skating Championships; Helsinki, Finland 
Feb 2-8: The ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships; Vancouver, Canada

TV SCHEDULE

USA
Jan. 24, 3-6 P.M., NBC:  U.S. Championships (Dance and Pairs Final)
Jan. 24, 9-11 P.M., NBC:  U.S. Championships (Ladies Final)
Jan. 25, 4-6 P.M., NBC: U.S. Figure Skating Championships (Men's Final)
Jan. 31, 2:30-4:30 P.M., NBC: U.S. Championships (Skating Spectacular)

CANADA
Jan. 25, Noon (ET), CBC:  Canadian Championships Gala

Thanks for your time. See you next month.
Susan Wessling,  Editor, International Figure Skating magazine
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