Stars on Ice

Kristi Yamaguchi has been one of the top draws in Stars on Ice for 10 years. But the '92 Olympic gold medalist says this will be her last year with the show.

"Life changes and priorities change," she says, on the phone while resting in Southern California. "Things just naturally evolve. I want to just get off the road next year and spend time with my family."

The loss of Yamaguchi's graceful presence could be another blow to the show. This edition of Stars on Ice marks the first time that its founder, Scott Hamilton, isn't performing. One of the sport's true showmen, his energy and exuberance will be missed.

"He was pretty much the heart and soul of the tour," Yamaguchi says. "But now the tour has a lot of room to grow and to change and to gain its own identity."

The show still features such Stars vets as Steven Cousins and Playboy's favorite Olympian, Katarina Witt. Beloved British ice dancers Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean choreograph the tours, though they do not perform.

"They have a different style on the ice, a different way to move," Yamaguchi says. "It's fun, because you see something, and you know that this is part of their choreography."

In addition to ensemble numbers, Yamaguchi will be featured in two solos. She also will perform to Nicole Kidman's One Day I'll Fly Away, from the Moulin Rouge soundtrack, along with Russian Denis Petrov.

Yamaguchi says she can't see a film or hear a song without thinking about skating to the music.

"Movie themes have always been really popular with skaters," she says. "I'll hear something, and I can picture myself moving to the music."

The 30-year-old admits she has a soft spot for the ultimate skating film: 1979's Ice Castles, with Lynn-Holly Johnson as a blind skater and Robby Benson as her dedicated boyfriend.

"I loved it," Yamaguchi says. "There's a certain fairy tale aspect about that story. I think most skaters love that movie. It's probably one of the few good ones about the sport."

Of course, there's the soaring Ice Castles theme music, sung by a dusky-voiced Melissa Manchester. Would Yamaguchi ever dream of skating to that tune?

"Um, probably not," she says with a laugh. "It would be really tough to do it and not be a clichi. It depends on who would skate to it and how it's done."

She plans to catch up on her movie watching during her year off. She also wants to dedicate more time to Always Dream, a foundation she started that raises funds for charitable causes.

Also in Yamaguchi's plans: Spending more time with her husband, pro hockey player Bret Hedican. The two married in 2000.

The couple's union brings up a natural question. If the two have children, will the youngsters be lacing up the skates?