Yamaguchi, Hamilton claim titles

Kristi Yamaguchi and Scott Hamilton skated to standing ovations Wednesday night and captured more than just titles at the Rock-N-Roll Figure Skating Championships.

The North Charleston Coliseum crowd of more than 10,000 rocked to the music of Bruce Springsteen, Madonna and Queen as Hamilton retained his title as the king of rock-n-roll figure skating and Yamaguchi took home the hearts of the crowd.

Hamilton garnered perfect scores on both of his skates, dazzling the celebrity judges with his trademark backflip.

He returned in his second skate in bell-bottom jeans and a long-haired wig, and performed to a rousing version of ``Hair.''

Former world champions and 1994 Olympic bronze medalists, Isabelle Brasseur and Lloyd Eisler of Canada, led in the pairs figure skating, capping off the evening with their rendition of ``Devil in a Blue Dress'' and took perfect 10s.

Joining the competition as last minute additions were Olympic bronze medalist Jozef Sabovcik and 1988 silver medalist Elizabeth Manley.

Sabovcik made a run at the title in his second skate, matching Hamilton's backflips with two of his own. He then skated around the ice with his two-year-old son, Blade, who quickly became a crowd favorite.

Canadian Kurt Browning, skating in the Rock-N-Roll competition for the first time, also received perfect 10s for his strong choreography, skating to the song ``Brick House.''

With competition being judged for its entertainment value, the judges also offered some entertainment of their own.

As Viktor Petrenko wrapped up his skate, he blew a kiss to MTV's ``Downtown'' Julie Brown, knocking her off of her chair.

Throughout the night, the crowd was brought from its seats on numerous occasions. After each skate, the competitors would then clown around on camera for FOX Television's J.B. Brown.

For Yamaguchi, the victory was more showpiece than prestige, but it marked her second in a row. She won the Gold Championships in Vancouver in November.

Yamaguchi, Hamilton, Browning and Katarina Witt will tour next year in Stars On Ice. The tour will be in Charleston on March 9, and tickets are now available at the Coliseum box office.