Kristi Yamaguchi »

As a baby, Kristi Yamaguchi had to overcome a foot deformity just to be able to walk normally. The idea of putting on a pair of ice skates, let alone excelling as a world-class figure skater like her hero, Dorothy Hamill, began as no more than a dream. Yet the determined young girl, born to parents who lived through the internment of the Japanese during World War II, worked hard, putting in countless hours at the rink and accepting the sacrifices necessary to attain her goal. Her efforts were well worth it: In Albertville, France, in 1992, Yamaguchi's grace and dignity on the ice earned her the Olympic gold. Whether as a competitor, a champion, or the founder of her own charitable foundation, Kristi Yamaguchi's motto, "Always Dream," has served as her personal inspiration.

Always Dream     7
Asian-American Heritage     12
Early Obstacles     22
For the Love of the Ice     38
Jumps, Spins, and Pairs     48
Achievement and Loss     62
Skating to the Top     74
A Life Changed Forever     91
Chronology     107
Timeline     108
Bibliography     111
Further Reading     113
Index     115