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 CALGARY, Alberta (AP) - A gold by a 16-year-old rising star and three bronze medals bode well for the future of U.S. figure skating, even though Sasha Cohen and the nation's top ice dancing team fell short of the world titles they were expected to win.
With Kimmie Meissner's stunning ascent to the World Figure Skating Championships title, and bronzes from ice dancers Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto, Evan Lysacek in the men's event and Cohen in the women's competition, the United States won the most medals. And, with the exception of Cohen, the others already have made plans to pursue more championships right through the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
Meissner arrived well ahead of schedule — and at the expense of Cohen, the U.S. champion and a heavy favorite coming to Calgary. While Meissner became the first American woman to land a triple axel in competition at the 2005 national championships, she wasn't sure she belonged in such select company heading into this season.
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