Rena Inoue & John Baldwin Jr.?

[DBZ]

I was wondering if anyone could give me some basic info on this team. I remember seeing them on TV at...last year's nationals? Anyway, from what I saw, I thought this team had a lot of potential. For those who keep up with US pairs skating, are Rena and John still competing together? If so, do you think these two have the ability to become a top US pairs team? Also, isn't Rena a Japanese citizen? Would they be able to compete at the 2006 Olympics, or would it take longer than 4 years to change citizenship?

Any info would be much appreciated. Thanks. :)

[Trillian]

Rena and John have two Grand Prix assignments this year--Nations Cup and Cup of Russia, I believe? In the short term I'd consider them contenders for the national title this year (there are at least four or five teams who could win nationals this year IMO, but Rena and John are my pick at this point). It's harder to say where they'll be a few years from now, since they're already (or almost) 26 and 29 years old, and she's struggled a lot with injuries. I'd be really surprised if they lasted until 2006, and I think you're correct in guessing that she wouldn't have U.S. citizenship in time anyway. It would be nice to see them get in a few years of solid international competition and then maybe see what they could do as pros. I believe they're a couple off the ice, which makes it seem likely that they'll stay together one way or another (assuming that relationship lasts).

Btw, most people seem to know about Rena's singles background--she competed internationally for Japan for quite a while, until about 1999, I think. It's worth mentioning that John competed at the national level in the U.S. for many, many years, and at least skated in some international junior competitions when he was younger--I'm not sure if he ever did a senior international. I believe he was a world junior medalist in the late '80's or early '90's--I want to say '89?

[DBZ]

Thanks so much Trillian for the info. I'm glad to hear they're competing this season, and hope they do well -- especially at nationals.