U.S. OLYMPIC FESTIVAL LOS ANGELES 1991 : NOTEBOOK

Icy scare: U.S. champions Natasha Kuchiki of Canoga Park and Todd Sand of Costa Mesa won the gold medal in figure skating’s pairs competition, while Kuchiki’s former partner, Richard Alexander of Simi Valley, teamed with Tristen Vega of Torrance to finish third.

Alexander and Vega had to overcome one major problem. Before skating, Vega spent several minutes alone on the ice while repairs were made to Alexander’s skate, which lost a blade.

“I got a little too anxious,” Alexander said. “When I stepped into it, I stepped too far.”