Kristi Yamaguchi Takes a Break from Dancing with the Stars

Kristi Yamaguchi took time off from rehearsing with her professional dance partner Mark Ballas, to serve as Honorary Chair for A Toast to the Triangle in Raleigh, NC. It is the second year in this role for the Olympic gold medalist. The dinner held on March 9th benefits the Tammy Lynn Center for Development Disabilities. Also joining Kristi at the event which happened to fall during the weeks leading up to the season six premier of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, was her husband Bret Hedican of the Carolina Hurricanes.



The Tammy Lynn Center offers education and support services to those with special needs. A Toast to the Triangle was first held in 1986 and is now held annually to raise funds for the TLCDD.

While it has been reported that Kristi has been undertaking long practice sessions with Mark Ballas in preparation for her Dancing with the Stars debut on March 17, it is great that the demands of the show did not prohibit her from participating in such a worthwhile event that she obviously cares deeply about. Kristi Yamaguchi is a true champion.