Ahead of her time Lipinski has burst onto skating scene; WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SKATING CAPSULES Women Tara Lipinski, United States: The new American champion is on a hot streak, winning the Champions Series final for two straight over last year's champion, Michelle Kwan. . . . Has all the jumps, including a rare triple loop-triple loop combination. . . . Still 14, she has never won a senior competition in Europe and was just 15th in last year's worlds after bombing in the short program. Michelle Kwan, United States: Last year's U.S. and world champion was nearly infallible until the last two competitions. . . . Vows to come back and skate up to the form she showed to win the '96 world title in a close decision over Chen Lu. . . . Strong jumper and was improving on artistry, but needs a good performance to regain confidence heading into the Olympic season. Chen LU, China: The Olympic bronze medalist and 1995 world champion is a fine jumper and very artistic. . . . Has kept a low profile this season due to various disputes with Chinese federation and injuries. . . . Narrowly lost to Kwan last year, but the long layoff from competition may hurt her more than anything. Others to watch: Two-time European champion Irina Slutskaya of Russia, third last year. . . . Nicole Bobek of the United States, the 1995 U.S. champ making a comeback and trying to shed the bad-girl image that follows her. . . . Maria Butryskaya of Russia, always near the podium, but never a world medalist. Men Elvis Stojko, Canada: The 1994 and 1995 world champion wants to regain his title and a quadruple-triple combination helps. . . . Still lacking in artistry, but maybe another quad in his program will make him unbeatable technically. . . . Missed out on a medal last year after failing in the short program. . . . Favored if he hits all his jumps. Todd Eldredge, United States: The U.S. champion and the defending world champ, but sprained his ankle last week, putting put him behind in training. . . . Probably the best spinner in the world and a strong jumper. . . . If on, can give a superb artistic routine, as he did last year to win the gold. Alexei Urmanov, Russia: The 1994 Olympic champion has had a spotty record until winning the European title in January. . . . Getting back confidence with huge triple axel and a quad for the first time in five years. . . . Classical long program, but uses hard-rock short program to show his different styles. Ilia Kulik, Russia: On again, off again. Which Kulik will show up at Lausanne? . . . When he's on, he's superb 1995 European champion at 17, just barely lost to Eldredge for the world title last year. . . . Probably the most stylish jumper in the men's field. . . . Moved to Massachusetts to train with Tatiana Tarasova, who improved his artistry. . . . Nailed his first official quad at the Champions Series final. Others to watch: Viacheslav Zagorodniuk of Ukraine, who took European crown in 1996 and had it again until the complicated scoring dropped him from first to third this year. . . . Michael Weiss of the United States is sure to try a quad to the music of Santana. Maybe it will count this time after U.S. officials belatedly took it away at Nashville? . . . Alexei Yagudin of Russia turns just 17 during worlds, but overshadowed by his teammates. He also has the quad. Pairs Oksana Kazakova and Artur Dmitriev, Russia: Back on the Russian team after being fourth at their nationals. . . . A good performance at the Champions Series final and improved programs put them in a contending position. . . . Both regaining top form after early- season problems. . . . He won an Olympic and two world titles with Natasha Mishkutienok and the 1996 European title with Kazakova. Mandy Woetzel and Ingo Steuer, Germany: Earned the world's sympathy when she fell and cut her chin at the 1994 Olympics and he carried her, bleeding, off the ice. . . . Won Europeans in front of home crowd in Dortmund in 1995 and barely lost Europeans the past two years. . . . Their long program is a mood piece, full of flow and unison, but perhaps not to everyone's taste. It worked for Champions Series win. Marina Eltsova and Andrei Bushkov, Russia: 1996 world champions in a close decision. . . . Won the European title again, four years after their first. . . . Elegant program and have all the tricks, but still not the reputation to be considered strong favorites. Others to watch: Jenni Meno and Todd Sand, United States: Bronze medalists in worlds last two years, but lost the U.S. title and both had injuries this season. . . . Majestic, European-style performance. . . . Too inconsistent this season. Ice dance Oksana Gritschuk and Evgeny Platov, Russia: World and Olympic champions won the European title after being reinstated on the Russian team after a mixup at their national championships. . . . Their Arabian routine is mesmerizing. . . . Now training with Tatiana Tarasova after they claimed they were being ignored by the coach who helped them win the Olympic gold. Shae-Lynn Bourne and Victor Kraatz, Canada: Upset second-best Russian ice dancers in Champions Series final, but that was in Canada and worlds are in Europe. . . . Big-band beat with snazzy moves. Angelika Krylova and Oleg Ovsiannikov, Russia: World runners-up last year. . . . Favored by coach Natasha Liniciuk, who works in Delaware. That led to Gritschuk and Platov moving away. . . . Have flowing free program to "Masquerade" waltz. Others to watch: Sophie Moniotte and Pascal Lavanchy, France: Recovered from her injury that kept them out of competition last year. . . . Elizabeth Punsalan and Jerod Swallow, United States: Rising quickly with the help of a Russian coach.