I admire Butyrskya's sheer persistence.  At age 15,  her coach told her she had no competitive potential, and the Russian Skating Federation kicked her out.   Four years later she won her first Russian national title, and over the next ten years she collected seven Russian titles, two European titles, and defeated Michelle Kwan to take the World title in 1999.   And she continues to ignore and confound her critics;  Maria has made more comebacks than Burt Reynolds.   The oldest woman still competing, she will be almost 30 when she makes her final Olympic bid in Salt Lake City in 2002.

When she is in control of her often-erratic jumping, she has an elegant, mature style and is a pleasure to watch.   Strictly from a photographer's perspective, I wish she would wear something other than white -- she practically disappears on the ice!