By Sophfronia Scott/Reported by Wendy Cole

She's three things top U.S. skaters haven't been in a while: married, laid-back and an underdog. So when Tonya Harding, 20, triple-Axeled her way past favorite Kristi Yamaguchi to seize the U.S. free-skating title, the sporting world sat up and took notice. But Harding, who's the first married champ since 1962, has a bigger test coming up. She's a contender for the March world championship in Munich, where her true staying power will be tried. And how does the spinner from Portland, Ore., celebrate her new fame? By nixing the gala party and shooting pool with friends instead.