Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 17, 1991 TAG: 9103170164
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: From Associated Press reports
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Kristi Yamaguchi earned one perfect 6.0 in winning the gold medal and her first major title. Tonya Harding, the U.S. champion, took the silver after doing another triple axel. And Nancy Kerrigan, like Harding a rookie, won the bronze.
Kerrigan edged 1989 champion Midori Ito of Japan, who fell heavily in Friday's original program and remained shaken up in the free skate, unable to perform up to her usual standard.
"It's wonderful for the United States," Yamaguchi said.
The depth of the American team was impressive, since last year's champion, Jill Trenary, did not compete because of ankle surgery.
"One-two-three with Trenary home is great stuff for us Americans," Evy Scotvold, Kerrigan's coach, said.
The U.S. men have had sweeps three times in world championships - in 1952, 1955 and 1956.
Harding scaled down two triple combinations, but still scored well technically with seven 5.8s and two 5.9s. For artistic impression, she got a 5.7, seven 5.8s and a 5.9.
She still had the lead as Yamaguchi skated last.
Although she had changed her mind and did a single salchow jump after a mishap on the takeoff, Yamaguchi, 19, finished strong. She did a triple toe loop with 15 seconds left in her program.
The Australian judge gave Yamaguchi only 5.6s for both marks, but the other eight judges liked Yamaguchi's performance. A 6.0 from the Italian judge highlighted the artistic impression scores.
Yamaguchi, originally from Fremont, Calif., now trains at Edmonton, Alberta. She went there after her coach married and moved to Canada in 1989.
by CNB