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Kristi Yamaguchi
- Won the Olympic ladies' gold at the 1992 Albertville Games
- Won back-to-back World titles (1991-1992); four-time U.S. World Team member
- Earned four consecutive medals at the U.S. Championships - gold, 1992; silver, 1991, 1990 and 1989
- Inducted into World and U.S. Figure Skating Halls of Fame in 1998
- Captured gold in both ladies' singles and pairs at the 1988 World Junior Championships. Yamaguchi's pair partner was Rudy Galindo, who would go on to win the 1996 U.S. men's title in singles skating. She too gave up pairs skating to focus on singles.
- Serves the Salt Lake Organizing Committee as an Honorary Goodwill Ambassador for the 2002 Games - which will mark the 10th anniversary of her win in Albertville
- Married professional hockey player Bret Hedican on July 8, 2000
- Has skated to four world professional titles
- Serves as spokesperson for Heinz Foods, Allstate, Hallmark and Bank of America
- Recognized as "Favorite Female Athlete" in Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards in 1997 and 1998
- Was one of the original celebrities photographed by Annie Leibovitz for the "milk moustache" campaign
- Has authored two books: "Figure Skating For Dummies" and "Kristi Yamaguchi, Always Dream"
- Has organized skating benefits to raise money for breast cancer awareness
On Michelle Kwan's recent decision to part ways with her longtime coach Frank Carroll less than six months out from the 2002 Games: "I really identify with some of the emotions and pressures Michelle is going through, and I understand her need for more control and independence. It's probably earth-shattering because no one has done this, but Michelle has proven herself time and time again that she can handle the pressure." Today Yamaguchi continues to skate professionally and is in her 10th season of touring with Target's Stars On Ice.
On the current women experimenting with quadruple jumps: "The men have increased what they are doing, and hopefully the women can keep up. We haven't seen many triple Axels in competition for women in the last 10 years."
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Born: 12-July-1971
Hometown: San Jose, Calif.
Resides: San Francisco, Calif./Reno, Nev.
Sport: Figure Skating
Event: Figure Skating
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