Lithe and elegant, balletic and expressive, they seem fragile as flowers, masking an incredible toughness and tenacity beneath the surface -- Steel Magnolias of the ice.  And this year's crop was as steely as they come.

While I personally prefer the power and explosiveness of the men and the pairs, I can't complain about the sheer drama of the ladies' competition, nor the outcome: three U.S.women in the top five!

Michelle Kwan
Gold Medal
USA

Sarah Hughes
Bronze Medal
USA

Maria Butyrskaya
4th Place
Russia

Angela Nikodinov
5th Place
USA

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