Kristi's special visit to the White House

Right before Kristi Yamaguchi skates to The Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Amy Grant, Dan Hicks says: "Next on the ice is Kristi Yamaguchi. In her rise to superstardom, so many memories have been made, but you might be surprised when one of her fondest memories did not occur on the ice...."

Kristi: Well, I would definitely say going to a state dinner at the White House was really special. Quite intimidating. I didn't really know quite how to act, but they provided an escort for me and I got to have, kind of an inside tour of the White House, so that was pretty neat.

[A picture of Kristi wearing her USA Olympic team uniform, standing with former President George Bush and his wife Barbara are shown. In another, she's handing him the team jacket.]

I was way more nervous for the dinner (laughs), then I was for the Olympics probably. Because you just don't know what to expect or you don't know what's going on, or at least I didn't. (laughs again)

And we're all seated at tables, a table full of people you don't know and all of a sudden, these waiters come out and they have, like trays full of the food. And they don't serve you, you kinda have to serve yourself. So I was mortified - 'I better not drop this on this guy's lap next to me' (laughs)....

Dan Hicks: Well, we know Kristi's sure footed, maybe she does have a weakness in other areas (laughs to himself) hmm? The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, sung by Amy Grant. Kristi, all about refreshing innocence on the ice, who wouldn't want to watch her?

(after Kristi skates, Dan has more to say...)

Dan Hicks: She remains so good, so wholesome, so humble. What a combination!

Susie Wynne: This is a most wonderful time of the year for Kristi! She was engaged Christmas Eve to Bret Hedican, pro hockey player for the Vancouver Canucks.

Dan Hicks: That will be a marriage made on ice!

Next is the "hockey" fluff piece

Dan Hicks: As these skaters get ready for their next act; as you know there is a variety of action here in Reno, and this week these skaters had a chance to stray a bit from their own speciality. But as you'll see, they'll still best at home on the ice...

[Setting: At an indoor skating rink. Two skating legends are battling for, of all things, "hockey skate" supremacy...]

Kristi and Brian Boitano (both wearing casual warm-up clothes. She's dressed in red - long sleeved shirt with matching pants. He's wearing a pullover with blue pants) are on the ice. She's wearing figure skates and he's got hockey skates on. Brian watches as Kristi trips and stumbles to her knees.

He taunts, "Hey, hey. Be careful of that toe-pick. Maybe you should have hockey skates on."

Kristi gets up and puts her hands on her hips. She scoffs, "Hah! Well, I'm probably better in hockey skates than you are!"

Brian, a bit doubtfully says "Ah...I don't know. Prove it."

Kristi rising to his challenge, points to him and replies "Alright. Your team againest mine. Tonight."

Brian agrees. "Tonight."

Both nod to each other and leave.

[Change of setting: It looks like they are now at a outdoor skating rink. Kristi is dressed comfortably in blue denim - jacket and jeans. Brian is dressed similarly. Night has arrived. It's time for the showdown.]

Brian is huddled around with his "team" consisting of Renee Roca, Gorsha Sur, Caryn Kadavy and Chen Lu. They're all holding hockey sticks. He asks Kristi (also holding a hockey stick) who's facing him , "Okay Kristi, where's your team?" And hits his stick on the ice several times for emphasis.

Kristi, a bit smugly replies "Baby, my team is right here!" She nods and points with her thumb over her shoulder.

A close-up shot of a young, rag-tag group of hockey players in full equipment (helmets, masks, padding, etc.) is shown. Probably all 9 to 11 year old boys. The boys all growl "Grrr!",  trying hard to look fierce and intimidating.

Apparently it works because Brian, sensing impending doom goes "Uh, oh!..."

A bunch of short clips are shown:

- Laughing Kristi shoves Brian away. He protests "Aaarrggh!"
- Looks like Gorsha has the puck, but then one of the young hockey players steals it and goes speeding by with it, flanked by his team mates.
- Brian falls and sprawls on the ice
- Brian says "Excuse me, Renee is our designated tripper - and I don't see anyone down here!"
- Kristi in a huddle with her team asks them alittle breathlessly, "Alright, how are these guys?" The boys reply with surprisingly deep voices, "They're WEAK!"

Finally, Kristi pins and pushes Brian into a corner with her hockey stick held horizontally. He raises his arms above his head and surrenders "Aarrgh! I give up, I give up. You win!" (Which is kinda funny to watch, considering that Brian towers over Kristi)

Kristi cheers "Yeah!" and victoriously pumps her fist in the air. The boys all crowd around her and everyone high fives each other. They won! Meanwhile in the background you can hear Brian quietly chuckling to himself. A crowd that has gathered nearby applaud.

[Yeah...I know. It was so obviously staged and rather corny at times, but it was so funny and cute. I loved it!]

New Year's Resolutions:

Kristi: "I must not be very good at making resolutions because they seem to be the same every year!" (laughs)

"Actually one of my resolutions this year is to eat better. It's hard with with being on the road so much. You tend to eat whatever's available. A lot of it junkfood. So, this year I'm going to eat better, more healthier and number one to keep in touch with friends and family a lot better while I'm on the road. Now that I have email, it makes it a lot easier."