In 1992, Kristi Yamaguchi became the third American woman since 1968 to win the Gold Medal in Figure Skating. Can you name the other two American winners before Kristi?

Before Kristi Yamaguchi captured the hearts of the nation with her gold medal performance in figure skating at the 1992 Albertville Olympics, two other American women had stood atop the podium since 1968. These trailblazing athletes were Peggy Fleming in 1968 and Dorothy Hamill in 1976, each leaving an indelible mark on the sport and inspiring future generations of skaters.

Peggy Fleming's victory at the 1968 Grenoble Winter Olympics was particularly significant. She was the sole American to win a gold medal at those Games, and her triumph is widely credited with helping to revive American figure skating after the devastating 1961 plane crash that killed the entire U.S. national team. Fleming was renowned for her exceptional grace, artistic expression, and elegant style on the ice, qualities that captivated judges and audiences alike. Her win signaled a return to prominence for the United States in the sport.

Eight years later, Dorothy Hamill became "America's Sweetheart" with her gold medal win at the 1976 Innsbruck Olympics. Hamill's charming smile, iconic bob haircut, and innovative "Hamill camel" spin, a camel spin that transitions into a sit spin, made her a beloved figure. Her victory was also notable as she was the last single skater to win the Olympics without executing a triple jump. Both Fleming and Hamill set the stage for Kristi Yamaguchi, who, in 1992, became the first Asian American woman to win a Winter Olympics gold medal in figure skating, continuing a proud legacy of American excellence on the ice.