Kids skate with stars in Voorhees

With their parents' permission, about 150 kids played hooky from school Monday to skate with Olympic figure skaters Kristi Yamaguchi and Todd Eldredge.

Olympic gold medalist Yamaguchi and world champion Eldredge took on dozens of screaming admirers at the Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees.

Many of the fans were parents - all were waving their ice skates at the champs for their signatures.

"It's just so fantastic to skate in the same rink with Kristi," said 12-year-old Tessica Glancey of Newtown, Pa. " Just seeing Kristi, you wanna become the best skater you can."

Added her mother, Tess, "This is worth missing school for and making up the work. It's really a nice opportunity to meet somebody who's excelled."

Yamaguchi and Eldredge stopped by the Voorhees rink to promote Saturday's "Stars on Ice" show at the First Union Center in Philadelphia. They were happily surprised by the large turnout Monday.

"It's always fun to skate with young kids," Yamaguchi, 30, said. "You can inspire them in some ways. It was fun."

Eldredge, also 30, competed at this year's Olympics in Salt Lake City. He placed sixth overall after making an error in his short program.

"I was happy with my performance in the long program," Eldredge said Monday. "I was happy after having made a mistake in the short program."

Eldredge announced his retirement from competitive skating last month, saying at the time that the standing ovation and cheers from the crowd at the Olympics was "a good way to close out."

Yamaguchi on the other hand, said she will be taking a brief hiatus from competitive skating, but has not yet decided if she will end that part of her career.throw in the towel for good. She still plans on taking part in television specials and other competitions next year.

Yamaguchi did not compete in this year's Olympics, which included the controversial awarding of two gold medals, first to the Russian figure-skating pair, then the Canadian pair. A judge admitted she was pressured to vote for the Russians. Some argued that her vote cost a Canadian pair the Gold Medal. An Olympic committee debated and finally awarded the Canadians a second set of Gold Medals.

"I think because there was evidence that the judging was tampered with, it was the right thing to do," Yamaguchi said of the end result.

Eldredge agreed, but added, "It dragged on too long, though. If they'd gotten it over with as quickly and quietly as possible, it wouldn't have been such a big deal."

The two said they are looking forward to Saturday's event, where they will be among 13 figure skaters performing.

"Philadelphia's always been a good skating city," Yamaguchi said. "There's a lot of skating around here."

Saturday's event in Philadelphia is the 36th stop on a 61-city tour. Many of those who showed up Monday to meet Yamaguchi and Eldredge said they will attend this weekend's celebrity-studded perform-ance.

"We're thinking about going," said Linda Nines of Atco, whose daughter skated with Yamaguchi Monday. "This is a really great learning experience."

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