NAGANO, Japan -- Her autobiography is called Heart of a Champion and while Michelle Kwan has shown all year that she has that heart, she fell just short of winning the Olympic figure skating title on Friday night.

In spite of her defeat by 15-year-old American teammate Tara Lipinski, Kwan took much comfort from her silver medal and pledged to fight on to the next Winter Games in 2002.

"I knew when I heard Tara's second marks go up that I had not won and there was a bit of disappointment, some tears," she said.

"But I came here to do a job, that was to skate well and I think we can walk away really happy."

CAUTION MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED to her defeat. The spark was missing in the opening stages and a foot down after a landing damaged her cause.

She conceded she had not skated as well as when she won the U.S. nationals in Philadelphia last month.

"In Philadelphia I was more free. I was flying and tonight I was cautious. I took my time.

"It seemed I was in my own world, like I didn't open up and let myself go."

She said she had a few problems with her opening jumps. "But I fought through them and by the time I finished I thought 'Oh my God, this can't be happening. I did everything. I landed all the jumps'.

"I DON'T THINK I WAS perfect but I thought I skated my best. I had to pinch myself. It was a magical moment for me." Although she had been favorite in many eyes, Kwan said she held no false illusions when she began.

"I knew this competition wasn't a piece of cake. I came out of the rink happy because I skated my best. I trained hard and there's nothing more I could have done. I truly know that.

"It might not be the color medal I wanted but I'll take it. I'm going to fight next time, I'll be there in 2002."