Yamaguchi Aims for a Double After Winning Pairs With Galindo

Kristi Yamaguchi of Fremont, Calif., can become the first woman in 40 years to win national figure skating championships in both singles and pairs after teaming with Rudi Galindo of San Jose Friday night to defend their pairs title at the Salt Palace.

Yamaguchi, 18, is in third place in singles but can win the championship with a victory in today’s freestyle program.

The second-place pair was Natasha Kuchiki, 13, of Canoga Park and Todd Sand, 26, of Thousand Oaks. Sharon Carz, 24, of Playa del Rey and Doug Williams, 28, of Los Angeles were third.

Under normal circumstances, the first three pairs would earn berths on the U.S. team at the World Championships next month in Halifax, Canada, but Kuchiki and Sand might not be eligible because she is too young. According to International Skating Union rules, competitors must be 14 to compete.

USFSA President Franklin Nelson has prepared an emergency petition, recommending that the ISU make an exception for Kuchiki. The ISU made an exception to a pairs rule for last week’s European Championships, allowing partners from different countries to compete as a team.

If the petition is rejected, the fourth-place team of Calla Urbanski, 29, of Chicago and Mark Naylor, 21, of Harrisburg, Pa. will represent the United States in Halifax.