When Kimmie Meissner hits the ice Friday for the World Championships in Tokyo, she?ll be the defending champion on the sport?s biggest stage. But will she be the favorite?
Meissner won the 2006 world title and has since claimed the 2007 U.S. championship, but she might not be the odds-on favorite this weekend.
Here is a brief look at the top World Championship contenders:
» KIMMIE MEISSNER, UNITED STATES
As of earlier this month, Meissner had planned to unfurl her triple axel on the world stage. She?ll get a good challenge from the hometown Japanese talents ? Miki Ando and Mao Asada.
» MAO ASADA, JAPAN
Asada is the teen phenom from the host nation, so all eyes will be on her. The pressure is on for her to make a splash, so whether she soars or slips will go a long way towards Meissner?s hopes of a repeat.
» EMILY HUGHES, UNITED STATES
With Sasha Cohen out, Hughes is the United States? second-best hope for a medal.She?s been right on Meissner?s heels so far in 2007 and will have the difficult task of taking the ice right after Ando and Asada.
» ELENA SOKOLOVA, RUSSIA
She?ll skate last in the short program, with a chance to improve upon last year?s fourth-place finish at worlds. Since 2004, she has improved three positions each year, so is this the year she claims first?
» SARAH MEIER, SWITZERLAND
She became the first woman from her homeland to medal at the European Championships in 26 years when she took the silver earlier this year. At last year?s worlds, she placed sixth overall ? the highest of any European in the competition.
» CAROLINA KOSTNER, ITALY
After taking third in the 2005 worlds, Kostner took a step backwards last year, dropping to 12th. But she won the European title this year, and at 20, could be hitting her prime.
WORLDWIDE AUDIENCE
» FRIDAY: Short program on ESPN, 7:30 p.m.
» SATURDAY: Free skate on ESPN, 6 p.m.
