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Kristi Yamaguchi and partner Mark Ballas perform the Jive. (courtesy ABC Television)

By Lois Elfman, special to icenetwork.com

(04/28/2008) - It is week seven of Dancing with the Stars, and this week the remaining six couples each do two individual dances -- one Latin and one standard. The top team on the judges' scorecard so far this season, Olympic and world champion Kristi Yamaguchi and professional partner Mark Ballas, will be performing the Viennese waltz and the cha-cha.

"With the cha-cha, we have a great song, something I'm really excited about," says Yamaguchi. "It's another flavor of attitude. The cha-cha is kind of flirty and sexy.

"The Viennese waltz is more of an emotional dance," she continues. "Our song is kind of about a loved one, someone that you love not being there, but you're thinking of them. Our whole Viennese waltz is about a vision of my loved one being there with me when he actually isn't really there."

She admits DWTS is a huge amount of work, but she loves the learning process and the challenge of learning new dances. Counting training time, Yamaguchi and Ballas have now been working together for two-and-a-half months and have forged a strong bond that is apparent on the dance floor.

"I constantly forget that he's only 21, because he is so mature in some ways -- focused, talented and creative, coming up with choreography -- disciplined," says Yamaguchi, 36. "We don't have a lot of time, but he knows what work he has to get done. He kind of figured out right away the best way to teach me and how I best learn. He's really good at picking up and tuning into everything.

"He knows when to keep it light and have fun," she adds. "He's got a great sense of humor and we have a lot of fun. It's like working with Kurt [Browning] and Scott [Hamilton] -- funny guys but at the same time very professional as well."

Yamaguchi's husband, Bret Hedican, a defenseman with the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League, was able to join her and their daughters Keara and Emma in California after his season was done. "It's been awesome," she says. "I know he was watching at home, but to have him live in the studio, it adds a little confidence to know that no matter what happens there is going to be someone there to support you and cheer you on unconditionally. He grounds me and keeps me focused on the good things."

Last week, the producers kept Yamaguchi and Ballas waiting until the final moments of the results show before revealing they were safe to dance again. It was especially stressful for Ballas, who'd been eliminated with celebrity partner Sabrina Bryan in week six last season. "There was a definite look of panic on his face," Yamaguchi says. "I thought, 'Breathe. Don't faint on me.' We were both nervous. The thought always crosses your mind that the viewers might not have voted for you."

For every show, friends from the skating world have also been on hand to cheer Yamaguchi on, including former Stars on Ice castmates Jenni Meno and Todd Sand and Ekaterina Gordeeva and costume designer Jef Billings.

"I've had huge support coming from the skating world," Yamaguchi says. "Of course, I'm relying on all the skating fans out there to keep us in the competition as long as we can. If they're enjoying what we're doing, hopefully they're voting. Definitely, we thank them for their support, because we wouldn't be here without the fans."

Go to ABC.com for all the details on how to vote by phone and online.