Yamaguchi takes 'Dancing' crown

0 Comments | USA TODAY, May, 2008 | by Gary Strauss

Olympic figure-skating gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi took the mirrored disco ball Tuesday on ABC's Dancing With the Stars finale, besting football's Jason Taylor and partner Edyta Sliwinska in the final competition.

Yamaguchi's athletic prowess made her a front-runner among the 12 celebrities on Dancing's sixth season. Judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli gave her and partner Mark Ballas another perfect score on their final dance Tuesday.

Yamaguchi, 36, told USA TODAY her skating background wasn't much of a factor. "Latin dancing is a completely new world. And it's a huge challenge at this point in my life." But she acknowledged that athletes, who've won four of the six crowns, may have an edge. "You have a goal. You're used to being...