(10/1/03) — Figure skating star and 1992 Olympic champion Kristi
Yamaguchi, 32, and her husband, NHL player Bret Hedican, 33, gave
birth to their first child today, a girl, at a Raleigh, N.C.,
hospital.
Keara Kiyomi Hedican, weighing 7 pounds and 20 inches in length,
arrived on her due date at 1:18 a.m. Eastern time. Both mother and
daughter are in excellent health.

Yamaguchi and Hedican, a player for the Carolina Hurricanes of the
NHL, were married July 8, 2000, on the big island of Hawaii.
Yamaguchi was the 1992 U.S. champion and a two-time World champion.
She has been a popular star in tours and other events since turing
pro after the 1992 Olympic Games.

Yamaguchi will make her first public appearance Nov. 4, 2003, at the
Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pa., as host and star of "Kristi
Yamaguchi's Salute to American Music presented by McCormick." The
live event will be taped as a special to air Nov. 30, 2003.

Congratulations to Bret & Kristi!!