SAN FRANCISCO -- In-line vert practice continued on Piers 30-32 Friday marked by the presence of Brazilian Fabiola da Silva, who missed the session Wednesday. She is no less than the queen of women's in-line vert skating. During her six-year career she has elevated women's in-line skating to unthinkable heights: She is responsible for a new rule that unofficially bears her name, which allows women to compete in the same events as men.

She was the gold medal winner at the 1996, 1997 and 1998 X Games. This year alone she has placed first at the ASA events in Ontario, Canada, and Hermosa Beach, Calif., as well as the X Trials in Nashville leading up to the main event in San Francisco this week. Competing against men she earned a podium spot at the X Trials and fourth place at this year's B3 event in Louisville, Ky. One has to look long and hard to find a blemish on her record versus other women ... except for last year.

Relative newcomer Ayumi Kawasaki mirrored the achievements of her male Japanese counterparts Takeshi and Eito Yasukoto, by bursting on the international scene and snatching last year's X Games vert gold from the reigning champion. It is testament to da Silva's skill and popularity that another woman skater finally has risen to challenge her dominance. Kawasaki skates as powerfully and confidently as da Silva.

Don't look for Fabiola to crumble, though, as her success so far this year demonstrates. To a woman who regularly skates competitively with men, last year may have been more of a wake-up call than a passing of the torch. When asked if regaining the gold medal would mean more now that she no longer holds the X Games crown, da Silva deflects the question and downplays the notion of Kawasaki's challenge.

"I'd love to win here, but no more than usual. I'm just going to try my best and have fun," da Silva says.

When it comes to skating with the guys, though, she's a bit more forthcoming about its effect on her skating. The men push her to become even better and she's motivated to hold her own by the fear of disappearing among them.

"It's cool skating against girls but I like skating with the guys, too," she says. "They push you. You don't want to look sketchy on the ramp."

Looking sketchy has not been a problem in her career. She has dominated the women and competed strongly against the men. When the vert competition Saturday begins, da Silva has her eyes on winning her title back.

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