Kristi Yamaguchi Wins Dancing With the Stars!

Kristi Yamaguchi Wins Dancing With the Stars!
Olympic gold medal-winning figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi became the second female ever to win Dancing With the Stars on Tuesday.

"This is the icing on the cake," she said. "I thank all the fans ... and everyone who has made this a dream experience."

She and partner Mark Ballas got a perfect score of 30 for their final competitive dance, the jive.

Judges praised them for being the most "consistent" throughout the season - and viewers agreed by voting for them (a combination of the judges' and viewers' votes determined the winner).

Pro football player Jason Taylor and partner Edyta Sliwinska - whose last dance, the quickstep, was praised by all the judges - came in second place.

"Kristi is so deserving," Taylor said. "Kristi very much deserves it. I had the time of my life."

Cristian de la Fuente, who is to undergo surgery Friday for a ruptured tendon in his biceps that he suffered on the show, was the first finalist to get the boot. His partner, Cheryl Burke, wiped away tears.

"I would never have the feeling of going into the final after an injury if it wasn't for Cheryl," he said. "She's been the best partner I could have."

Many expected a male to take the title, as season one contestant Kelly Monaco has been the only female to win.

Congratulations to Kristi Yamaguchi & Mark Ballas!
Published 5/21/08 by

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