Exclusive Portrait: Olympic Gold Medalist Kristi Yamaguchi

CHICAGO – Kristi Yamaguchi has parlayed her Olympic-level Gold Medal figure skating career into multiple successes, including finishing first on the popular TV show “Dancing with the Stars.” She was in the Chicago area recently greeting fans and signing her new children’s book, “Dream Big, Little Pig.”

Growing up as a skater as therapy for a foot deformity, Yamaguchi started in pairs skating until going solo in 1991. One year later she took the Gold Medal at the Olympics in Albertville, France. She went on to defend her title at the World Championships later in 1992, and went from there to do various professional events including “Stars on Ice.”

Over the intervening years Yamaguchi has done acting and special appearances, winning the sixth season of “Dancing with the Stars.” Earlier this year she released her first children’s book, “Dream Big, Little Pig.” She signed the book and greeted fans at Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville, Illinois.

Photographer Joe Arce was at the book signing, and got this Exclusive Photo of Kristi Yamaguchi.

Dream Big: Kristi Yamaguchi at Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville, Illinois, March 29, 2011 Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com.

[13]	By PATRICK McDONALD [14] Senior Staff Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com [13]