TONIGHT’S LEADING SKATERS

Maria Butyrskaya

Rundown: Age--29, Country--Russia; Order--19th, Place--Fifth

Music: “Tale of a Journey” by Alfred Schnittke.

Coaches: Elena Tchaikovskaya, Vladimir Kotin.

What to look for: Graceful and balletic, she’s the oldest competitor in the final six. Tried triple toe loop-half loop-triple salchow at Grand Prix final but turned final part of that combination into a double. She might try it again tonight.

Miscellaneous: Was third after short program at 1998 Nagano Games and finished fourth....Was the 1999 world champion and has won three European titles....Underwent abdominal surgery in December.

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Sarah Hughes

Rundown: Age--16; Country--U.S.; Order--20; Place--Fourth

Music: “Daphnis et Chloe” by Ravel, “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini” by Sergei Rachmaninoff, “Piano Concerto No. 2, Adagio” by Rachmaninoff.

Coach/Choreographer: Robin Wagner.

What to look for: Will she relax and simply let go, or will she give in to the nerves that have plagued her since she has been here? She has the technical ability to win and might try two triple-triple combination jumps. She has done a triple salchow-triple loop and could try the triple toe-triple toe or triple lutz-triple toe. Reworked the last 90 seconds of her program since the U.S. championships to make it more dramatic.

Miscellaneous: Placed third at last year’s World Championships at 15....Was third at Grand Prix final....Lives in Great Neck, N.Y., and trains in Hackensack, N.J.

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Sasha Cohen

Rundown: Age--17; Country--U.S.; Order--22; Place--Third

Music: “Carmen” by George Bizet.

Coach/ Choreographer: John Nicks.

What to look for: When she’s on, she’s riveting because of her balletic movements. Blessed with remarkable flexibility that allows her to reach behind her back, pull her free leg up and grab the blade for a spectacular spin. Also lifts free leg high in front while spinning rapidly. Did several clean triple lutz-triple toe combinations in practice Wednesday and could include one today.

Miscellaneous: Laguna Niguel teenager has never competed at World Championships because the only other year she qualified, in 1998, she was 15 and didn’t meet age minimum....Missed much of last season because of a stress fracture in her back and must do exercises and stretch to keep limber.

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Michelle Kwan

Rundown: Age--21; Country--U.S.; Order--23; Place--First

Music: “Sheherezade,” by Nikolai Rimsky- Korsakov.

Coach: None. Choreographer: Sarah Kawahara.

What to look for: She might not be the best jumper or best spinner, but her line and her artistry are above reproach. She hasn’t landed a triple-triple this season but could try a triple toe loop-triple toe loop, which she two-footed in practice Wednesday.

Miscellaneous: Won silver at Nagano in 1998 and is trying to become third woman to move up to Olympic gold after winning silver. Tenley Albright (silver in 1952, gold in 1956) and Carol Heiss (silver in 1956, gold in 1960) are the others. Trains in Lake Arrowhead.

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Irina Slutskaya

Rundown: Age--23; Country--Russia; Order--24; Place--Second

Music: “Tosca,” by Puccini.

Coach: Zhanna Gramova. Choreographer: Giuseppe Arena.

What to look for: If Kwan performs well, Slutskaya might have to take a chance and try the triple salchow-triple loop-half loop-triple salchow she has toyed with in practice. That could give her technical points and help balance Kwan’s presentation scores.

Miscellaneous: Husband, Sergei Mikheyev, won’t be in the audience because she doesn’t want to be distracted and “he has a job.” ... Finished fifth at Nagano....Landed an unprecedented triple salchow-triple loop-double toe loop at last year’s world championships.