Rena and John | Page 2 | Golden Skate

Rena and John

ITA Sk8m8, I'm hoping for a top ten at Worlds and Olys for them so that the Amcerican Teams will be able to get as much experience as possible.
Joe
 
Ok

Mathman said:
I don't think it's "brutal" to notice that ABC posed these skaters awkwardly for their interview. No fault of the skaters. The pose made Rena's legs look foreshortened by the perspective of the camera angle, IMHO. No offense intended.

Mathman

OK--now that you've said it that way--- you intended no insult to the skater :) I took it the wrong way. But guys--if we love skating and skaters who pour their lives, work, talents and money into developing their skills, I think we should try extra hard to not make comments based upon the way a person looks--the way a person is born. There's nothing anyone can do about those things and I hate to see comments that direct attention towards something like that as opposed to the things that one CAN do something about, like style, practice, costumes, music, attitudes, putting more time on the ice, or putting more years in--- and so on.

And, yes, I & B are the best we have, and have been for a few years now, whether anyone likes it or not....a fact that was lost on the other pairs skaters in our "stable", or they would have felt them coming up behind them over these past 3 years.....maybe would have been TCB a little more stringently had they realized. Even amongst the developing teams, I don't see anyone coming along that will match their basic singles/skating skills. There's just no one who's had the TIME on the ice that they've had, coupled with complete technical training in anything to do with skating--i.e., singles, figures, and pairs; national and international competition, even Olympics (Rena). Don and Hunt are the best possibility on the horizon. But, for the most part, many years down the line our pairs teams have not been developing their triple jumps and other singles skills independently of their pairs training---most times the lower level pairs still don't even do consistent s-b-s double axels coming into seniors. In fact, there has been a pervasive attitude here (as opposed to in Russia, or China, for instance?) that a skater might go into pairs if they CAN'T compete as a viable singles powerhouse (with triples and spot-on skating skills)....instead of pairs being its own discipline from the get-go....something to choose because that's where you will develop best as a skater....or pairs becoming a possibility after having developed as a complete singles skater--through singles Sr. competition at a national level. Perhaps coaches of present Novices and Juniors should be warned....because not only are s-by-s triples routinely required now, but a s-b-s triple toe is just not going to cut it, either. In all skating disciplines, the ante has been upped and is upping as we speak. Again, American pairs will be left to cool in the shade.

And, as far as age goes.....I & B are about the "right" age for elite pair international competition...perhaps on the far side of it, but definitely "in the zone"....in fact, with a few more years "left" in them :) ---the fact being that they are not "developing" their "potential" i.e, triple lutzes at all, since they've both had them now for many years as singles skaters. They need yet only to perfect their timing on these jumps as a pair to keep them in their national and international programs. As any skater knows---practicing something, even something you've been able to do for many years--and putting it on the ice in competition (esp international competition) are two different things entirely....ask Michelle Kwan or Kurt Browning, or_________(fill in the blank)....about that one.

Overall (with some few exceptions), pairs is not a discipline for teenagers or young guys who are still developing into men......call to your mind the young Chinese pair you might have seen at Skate America and you will be picturing the reasons why.....strength, experience "over your boots", conditioning, mature line, overall finishing of movements, basic skating skills, mature interpretation of the music, relating to each other as skaters, and so on....these things only coming with maturity in age and maturity of the skater's body. Again, there is no substitute for time, and this is the one skating discipline that requires it. It is not as gorgeous to watch and it is, above all, dangerous without some maturity and age components.
 
Pipsqueak, I editied out my unfortunately worded post on this thread. Sorry.

Mathman :)
 
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I thought they improved since last year. As others have said, they may not be medal contenders, but they'll represent the US well.

Also, most of the skaters are not at top condition this early in the season. I admire them for going for it since it does become harder to train at an age when most are retiring (from skating)

I find them much more exciting than Scott and Dulebhon.
 
I keep forgetting the rule for number of entries from one country:

If a skater or team places top 3 at the worlds, the country he(they) represent(s) get(s) 3 entries the following year???? :think:

If a skater or team places 4th to 10th, the country he(they) represent(s) get(s) 2 entries the following year???? :think:

Someone correct me. I want to know :banging:

Joe
 
According to Skating for Dummies (which might need updating by now), the number of competitors is based upon the cumulative placements at the previous Worlds. Placements at 16th or lower and withdrawals are valued at 16 points. The lower the points, the higher the number of skaters. Failure to complete qualiflying rounds do not count (based upon 94 when Bobek failed to qualilfy and Michelle needed a top 10 placement to allow US to send 2 to 95 Worlds').

If a member country sends 3 skaters who continue out of qualiflyin rounds, total placements must be 6 -21, 22 -33 or 35+ to send 3, 2 or 1 competitor the following year.

If 2 skaters represent their country, total points must be 3-13, 14-22 or 23+ to allow for 3, 2 or 1 competitors the next year.

if 1 skater represents his/her country, total points must be 1-10 or 11+ to send 2 or 1 next year. It's not possible for 1 skater to earn 3 berths for their country.

It might be a little different at some point in the process for pairs or dance - i.e. I don't think there's a qualifying round. So, everyone must do well.
 
Thanks

Mathman said:
Pipsqueak, I editied out my unfortunately worded post on this thread. Sorry.

Mathman :)
How kind of you Mathman. I probably made too much fuss and I think you are terrific to respond so well to it. Onward and upward!:) Skating Skating Skating.
 
Love Inoue & Baldwin

Hi folks,
I loved this team from the first time I saw them on TV. Even with mistakes they had something special I think. I gotta hand it to John - He's been going to Sr. nationals 10-12? years in singles and he just kept coming back. Perservance and persistence are good things. He never gave up. I'm not that familiar with Rena's background but I'd guess the same thing. I love this team, their programs this year are a step up and if they're gonna make mistakes, this is the year to do it because next season (05-06) is the Olympic season! :rock:
 
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