It was a nail-biter to the end, but Michelle accomplished her goal and claimed her second world title in a row, her fourth overall.  Having lost to rival Irina Slutskaya twice this season, she shook off the pressure, summoned all her determination, and performed flawlessly if cautiously in her free program to take the gold.

Will Kwan be able to carry her momentum through to Salt Lake City in 2002? It's been a long road since Nagano, as she continues to train and compete while carrying a full class schedule as a college student at UCLA.  It's lonely -- and vulnerable -- at the top, but Michelle thrives on the challenge.