Meissner captures world title

CALGARY, Alberta -- America has a world champion -- Kimmie Meissner, not Sasha Cohen.

Following the tradition of teenage American women pulling off big upsets, the 16-year-old Meissner used the performance of her life Saturday to soar to the World Figure Skating Championships title.

And following a distressing trend, U.S. champion Cohen fell apart again in a free skate, winding up third overall behind Japan's Fumie Suguri.

Meissner was as sensational as Cohen was weak. She landed seven triple jumps, including two triple-triple combinations -- the only ones of the day -- just a few minutes after Cohen self-destructed.

Even before Meissner was done with her final spin, she was smiling widely, knowing she couldn't have done any better. She lingered on the ice, her arms raised to the rafters, where she was certain her mother was sitting "because she can't stand to be too close to the ice."

"This blows the rest of the programs out of the water," she said, still breathless over a routine that earned a personal-best 129.70 points, easily the most in the free skate. That gave Meissner nearly a 10-point margin over Cohen, who'd led Meissner by 5.58 after the short program.

"I am so happy with myself; it's an awesome feeling," added Meissner, who was sixth in Turin.