Aug 16, 2007 1:58 pm US/Eastern
Kimmie Meissner Organizes Skating Competition
by Mike Schuh
HARFORD COUNTY, Md. (WJZ) ―
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Kimmie Meissner organizes a skating competition in Baltimore. (File)
CBS
Reigning U.S. Figure Skating Champion Kimmie Meissner has spent the summer working on her new competition program and skating in ice shows across the country.
But as
Mike Schuh reports, she's never skated in a show here in Baltimore. That's about to change. Kimmie asked some of her skating friends, all around the world and some national champions, to join her in Charm City.
Every year, figure skaters start with a clean sheet. They devise totally new routines for competition.
World and U.S. Champion, Kimmie Meissner is spending a hot August day on a clean sheet. She's perfecting what she'll show the judges this year.
On her wrist, she wears a red Cool Kids bracelet. It's the cancer charity she donates her efforts to.
And though she's visited kids, lent her name, edited a newspaper and more, it was time to start with a clean sheet again. To change her routine she decided to organize a skating exhibition.
"It's called Kimmie's Angels on ice and it benefits the Cool Kids pediatric oncology patients," said Meissner.
Kimmie is working on a jump that most people would consider impossible. It's one of the hardest jumps, but she tries over and over again. But when she hits a jump like this in competition it puts her in such an elite company, that her competitors become friends, friends she can ask for favors from.
"This is neat because, I watch these skaters on TV too and it's kinda neat just to be friends with them and know the other side of them, other just skating," said Meissner.
So now, a dozen world, national & Olympic champions will skate in her show. These are skaters the charity couldn't have booked on their own.
"When she puts the feelers out, the biggest problem is scheduling. If that's your biggest problem you're in great shape," said Rob Belanger, spokesperson from the Cool Kids campaign.
The bonus part about this is Kimmie has never performed in Baltimore.
"For me I'm doing something I love and helping at something I feel very strong about," said Meissner.
All profits are going to an emergency fund for the families of the pediatric cancer patients.
Kimmie is counting on all her Baltimore fans to come out and support her.
"Baltimore won't let us down, I know they won't," said Meissner.
The show is at 7 p.m. on Aug. 25. Tickets start at $25 and are being sold through Ticketmaster.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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