What sets the Russians apart from most rivals in the sport--a combination of ballroom dancing and skating--is not only their innovative choreography but also their breathtaking speed. Grishuk, an aspiring actress who has changed her first name from Oksana to avoid confusion with singles skater Oksana Baiul, is particularly admired for her quick, clean-edge turns known as "twizzles." The high technical difficulty of the pair's programs has resulted in a few falls this season, but they accept the risk. "If we made our dance easier, we would never fall," says Platov. "But we have some footwork that is extremely difficult. It is so fast and has so many turns that it makes us unique and unbeatable."

Not if Anjelika Krylova, 24, and Oleg Ovsiannikov, 28, can help it. The younger Russian pair train with the coach that Grishuk and Platov used to have. Despite their relatively brief partnership, they have already won the Russian ice-dancing title and collected two silver medals at the world championships. This week they hope to glide ahead of the favorites. So fierce is the rivalry that at last month's European championships in Milan, the two pairs engaged in a game of intimidation during the warm-ups, whipping by each other so closely that costumes were torn by flashing skate blades.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,987831,00.html