Kimmie Meissner Added to Roster of Campbell's International Figure Skating Classic
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| Kimmie Meissner at the 2004 Junior Grand Prix event in Long Beach. Photo by Jay Adeff |
(9/20/04) 2004 U.S. junior champion and World Junior silver medalist Kimmie Meissner has been added to the list of ladies competing at the 2004 Campbell's International Figure Skating Classic at the St. Paul Xcel Energy Center on Oct. 1. Carolina Kostner, the 2004 World fifth-place finisher from Italy, has withdrawn. Meissner has accepted the opening and will compete at the Campbell's Classic.
"I'm very honored to be asked to participate in the Campbell's Classic," Meissner said. "To share the ice with Michelle Kwan, Sasha Cohen and the other world skaters is a privilege. I know this will be a great learning experience."
The rest of the ladies field includes five-time World and eight-time U.S. champion Michelle Kwan (USA), current World silver medalist Sasha Cohen (USA), 2004 World champion Shizuka Arakawa (JPN), 2004 World fourth-place finisher Miki Ando (JPN), 2004 World sixth-place finisher Julia Sebestyen (HUN), 2004 U.S. bronze medalist Jennifer Kirk (USA) and 2004 U.S. fourth-place finisher Amber Corwin (USA). Cohen won gold at the 2003 Campbell's Classic in New York, while Kwan took the silver.
The men's field remains the same and will include 2004 World silver medalist Brian Joubert (FRA), 2004 U.S. champion Johnny Weir (USA), 2002 Olympic bronze medalist Timothy Goebel (USA), 2004 World Junior silver medalist Evan Lysacek (USA), 2004 ISU Grand Prix Final champion Emanuel Sandhu (CAN) and two-time World bronze medalist Takeshi Honda (JPN). At the 2003 Campbell's Classic Evgeny Plushenko (RUS) won gold, but he was unable to return this year to defend his title. Goebel won silver in 2003 and will look to capture gold against the 2004 competitive men's field.
At the Campbell's Classic skaters will compete for $200,000 of prize money, part of a first-time $600,000 pot up for grabs at three linked events throughout the 2004-2005 season. The introduction of prize money marks an investment by U.S. Figure Skating to increase the level of competition and intensity at the events. Each athlete will perform one free skate in front of an international panel of five judges. Prize money will then be allocated to the top six finishers in ladies and the top six finishers in men's:
First Place $50,000Second Place $25,000
Third Place $15,000
Fourth Place $5,000
Fifth Place $3,000
Sixth Place $2,000
The three events to award $200,000 each are the Campbell's International Figure Skating Classic in St. Paul, Minn., on Oct. 1; the Marshalls World Cup of Figure Skating in Auburn Hills, Mich., on Dec. 3; and the Marshalls International Figure Skating Challenge, location and date to be announced at a later date.
Also appearing at the Campbell's Classic will be U.S. pairs champions Rena Inoue & John Baldwin and U.S. ice dancing champions Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto. Both teams will perform an exhibition in between the men's and ladies competitions.
Tickets for the Campbell's International Figure Skating Classic are on sale now and are available at the Xcel Energy Center Box Office, at all Ticketmaster locations, through charge by phone at 651.989.5151 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Reserved seats will be priced at $60, $46.75, $31.75 and $21.75. Group discounts are available, call 651.312.3486 for more information. The event will be nationally broadcast by ABC Sports on Oct. 10 from 1-3 p.m. EST. Check your local listings.
Campbell's International Figure Skating Classic
Oct. 1, 2004
Ladies
Miki Ando (JPN) 2004 World Championships, 4th; 2004 World Junior champion
Shizuka Arakawa (JPN) 2004 World champion; two-time Japanese champion
Sasha Cohen (USA) 2004 World silver medalist, three-time U.S. silver medalist
Amber Corwin (USA) 2004 Four Continents bronze medalist; 2004 U.S. Championships, 4th
Jennifer Kirk (USA) 2004 U.S. bronze medalist; 2002 Four Continents champion
Michelle Kwan (USA) Five-time World champion; eight-time U.S. champion
Kimmie Meissner (USA) - 2004 World Junior silver medalist; 2004 U.S. junior champion
Julia Sebestyen (HUN) 2004 European champion; 2004 World Championships, 6th
Men
Timothy Goebel (USA) Two-time World silver medalist; 2002 Olympic bronze medalist
Takeshi Honda (JPN) Two-time World bronze medalist; four-time Japanese champion
Brian Joubert (FRA) 2004 World silver medalist; 2004 European champion
Evan Lysacek (USA) 2004 World Junior silver medalist; 2004 Four Continents bronze medalist
Emanuel Sandhu (CAN) 2004 ISU Grand Prix Final champion; three-time Canadian champion
Johnny Weir (USA) 2004 U.S. champion; 2004 World Championships, 5th
