CBS SportsLine
Chat Transcript
January 27, 1998

Olympic gold medalist and world figure skating champ Kristi Yamaguchi stopped by to chat with CBS SportsLine fans on January 27, 1998.

Find out what Kristi had to say in the full transcript of his chat below.

AOLiveHost: Meet one of the world's brightest stars on ice - Kristi Yamaguchi - 1992 Olympic Gold medalist and U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Famer! She's here to take your questions on everything from the Winter Olympics to her new book,"Figure Skating for Dummies."

AOLiveHost: WELCOME Kristi!

KristiLive: Thank you. It's great to be here!

Question: Kristi, I saw you skate almost a year after you won the gold, in Muskegon, Michigan. Who is your favorite skater and why?

KristiLive: Hmmm. Tough question. One of my closest friends and favorite skaters is Scott Hamilton, because he's done more for figure skating, and gets better and better every year.

Question: Kristi, tell us a little about your life growing up and how you became an Olympic skater.

KristiLive: I finally realized my dream of going to the Olympics, and it was a thrill and an honor to represent the U.S. there. I started skating when I was six and, basically, it took 14 years until I realized my dream of going to the Olympics. I grew up in California and had a pretty normal childhood with a close family. At about junior high, skating became a major focus in my life.

Question: There has been a lot of talk of an American ladies sweep at the Olympics. What are your feelings about this?

KristiLive: It's definitely possible, although it's remote, I think. It's a whole new game with the European skaters and the Olympic judges.

Question: Kristi, how much dance training did you have in addition to skating training?

KristiLive: I had about 10 years of ballet which I actually started before skating. I never took it that seriously, but it definitely helped with my skating career. I also had five years of tap lessons!

Question: Do you design your own costumes? They are gorgeous!!!

KristiLive: No, I don't. I usually try to express the color and style I like... pants, skirt or whatever. I usually play the music for the costume designer and let them come up with the design. Most of my costumes are designed by Jeff Billings & Lauren Sheehan.

Question: If you had to choose again, would you go pro?

KristiLive: Yes, I would definitely continue to be a pro skater. I'm enjoying it and it offers many new challenges.

Question: Hi Kristi. First, you are definitely the best! We love you.. My question is..what experience has had the most impact on your life so far?

KristiLive: Thank you. Hmmm. When I moved to Canada to train in Edmonton. That was a very positive change and then, obviously, the Olympics were an event that changed my life.

Question: What is a technique you use in doing a double axel, because I'm having problems?

KristiLive: Actually, I just came out with a new book called "Figure Skating for Dummies." I have a lot of different techniques in there, different jumps, etc. For the double axel, just keep working on it. It took me about a year to learn it.

Question: Kristi, you are a beautiful skater and our family loves to watch you skate along with others on the professional level. I wanted to ask you if you could change anything now as a professional, what would it be?

KristiLive: I would say the hardest thing is living life on the road, so if I could change one thing our schedule would be like in other pro sports where half of our performances were at home

Question: Kristi, how do you handle stress you must feel from competition?

KristiLive: I try to go into each competition prepared and confident that I'm ready to do my skating. That helps me deal with the stress I get?

Question: Hi. I love how you skate! You are very, very, very good! I was wondering, aren't you cold on the ice? Thank you! PeppiPrep!

KristiLive: Yes, some of our costumes are a little skimpy, but we're usually working up a sweat just from the movement and the exercise we're getting on the ice. One of my pet peeves is having a cold ice rink to practice in! Ha-ha!

Question: Kristi, how is pro and amateur skating different in your opinion, and which do you like better?

KristiLive: In amateur skating, you have one goal in mind and everything is focused on that, where that was your training, the amount of sleep you get, your diet. But as a pro, you have so much more freedom. Right now I prefer the pro side, because I feel like I've grown so much as a skater. We don't have all the rules and there's a lot more freedom.

Question: What is your favorite food?

KristiLive: I love Italian food, and my weakness is ice cream - cookies and cream.

Question: Which amateur performance of yours do you consider to be your absolute best?

KristiLive: The one that felt like a turning point for me was the performance at the 1991 World Championships. I felt very good on the ice and received my first 6.0 at that performance.

Question: Who do you think is the favorite to win the Ladies gold medal in figure skating?

KristiLive: I think Michelle Kwan, at this point. She has a very nice package to her skating and has been skating strong all year.

Question: What do you like to do besides skate during your free time?

KristiLive: I'm learning how to golf. I enjoy watching other sports - the 49ers - and a lot of us on tour are hockey fans too. Also, I enjoy reading.

Question: What has been your greatest professional triumph?

KristiLive: That's a tough one! I don't know if I can pick out just one professional moment. I feel lucky that I've had the opportunities I've had, and I hope to continue to bring something new to the sport.

Question: What it is like traveling the country with "Stars On Ice?"

KristiLive: I'm basically living out my dream being on a tour like this and doing something that I really love. The friendships are really dear to me, and the experience of skating every night to different crowds all over the country is amazing!

Question: Kristi, first, I think you are the epitome of elegance on ice. Where would you like to see yourself professionally in 5 years?

KristiLive: Thank you! I see myself probably winding down a little bit...that would be my 11th year as a pro. Maybe skating a little bit, but who knows what else!

Question: Will you be going to Japan to watch the other skaters?

KristiLive: Yes, I will be going to the Olympics. Right now, I'm planning to be back in the States on the 17th but I am going with the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Committee.

Question: Do you long for the competition of the Olympics.

KristiLive: Not at all! I've been through that already once. Although it was a thrill and an honor skating? My life has moved on since then.

Question: Can you think of anything that topped the experience of winning the gold medal?

KristiLive: aybe the day I get married or the day I have my first child, but nothing up to this point has had the impact for me that the gold medal has had.

Question: How do you decide what song you are going to skate to? (From Nicholas in Memphis)

KristiLive: I listen to many, many hours of music and get many different opinions. Then I take different selections onto the ice and decide then what feels the best.

Question: Kristi, do you still have your Mickey Award from the MMC Hall of Fame?

KristiLive: Yes, I still have my Mickey Award, and that was just a fun award to receive! Thanks for chatting online with me, it's been fun.

AOLiveHost: Thank you, Kristi, for sharing with us tonight.

KristiLive: Shameless plug here... don't forget to buy your copy of "Figure Skating For Dummies." It'll help you watch the Olympics!