LOS ANGELES (AP) – Kristi Yamaguchi came into the “Dancing With the Stars” finale with a perfect score and left with the mirrorball trophy.

Her victory over pro football star Jason Taylor broke the string of four consecutive male winners. The figure-skating champion was the first woman to claim the “Dancing” crown since the show’s opening season.

“This is just the icing on the cake,” Yamaguchi said after her victory Tuesday night. “I honestly thank all the fans out there … everyone who’s made this a dream experience.”

Said Taylor: “I never, ever thought I would get to this point.”

“Kristi is so deserving,” he said.

Each of the season’s celebrity contestants returned to the ballroom for the season final. Tennis champ Monica Seles, magician Penn Jillette, radio personality Adam Carolla, R&B singer Mario and actors Marissa Jaret Winokur, Marlee Matlin, Priscilla Presley and Steve Guttenberg each reprised their last dances and talked about their time on the show.

Past champs, including Drew Lachey, Kelly Monaco and Helio Castroneves, also appeared.

AP-ES-05-20-08 2312EDT


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