Rena and John

[rena&john4gold2005]

WOW! Over the weekend I watched their freeskate and short program from Skate America, and they were wonderful, even with the few mistakes. They seem to be skating as one now. The previous years they were just okay, nothing really great about them, their throws looked okward and they just didnt seem like a pair. But at Skate America I loved their free program, their throws look great, the triple lutzes,and the back to back death spirals into the pair spin was cool and innovative. I think this is going to be their year. Hopefully they will medal in their other grand prix, when nationals, and place in the top 6 at worlds.

Any thoughts from you guys on them.

 

[BronzeisGolden]

They have so much potential and they both seem to be such genuine people. But, they have to cut out the mistakes! They don't have huge throws or crazy-fast speed, so they really have to hit everything in order to compete. I missed their performances from Skate America, but I thought they were making tremendous strides last year with their LP. Their 04 Nationals performance was full of mistakes, but it was still gorgeous. They skated with emotion and really seemed to have a connection with one another. At any rate, they won a Grand Prix medal and I am very proud of them for that accomplishment.

 

[SailorGalaxia518]

If they continue to make improvements they could because the first world medalists since Kyoko Ina and John Zimmerman in the future. I have always criticized the U.S. Pairs because of there lifts and their lack of power. But Rena and John are moving in the right direction also keep in mine though that if Totmianina and Marinin did do the entire free skate it would be more than likely that Rena and John would be knocked out of medal position. On the bright side, I wouldn't be suprised if Rena and John repeat as national champions.


Note: Ina and Zimmerman finished 5th at 2002 Olympics it is possible for Rena and John to reach that same feat at the 2006 Olympics.

 

[Tonichelle]

I actually wasn't all that impressed with the team... jmho

 

[rjulie510]

I saw their LP from SA. Peter Tchernyshev did a great job choreographing that program. I think that program can help them move up in world standings. They improved a lot from last year -they skate more like a pair now. They have great singles techniques. I hope they'll improve their speed and lifts, but I think they're on the right track. Rena's LP dress was absolutely stunning BTW.

 

[dlkksk8fan]

After watching Rena & John at Skate America I thought they have made a lot of improvements since last year. I really like this team and hope that as the season goes on that they get better and better.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

The big question is are Rena and John the first couple to execute a side by side triple lutz in competition. He did land it but had trouble holding on to it. I was told they would get the credit for statistical purposes.

Joe

 

[SailorGalaxia518]

I believe so, even though there were other skaters attempting them.

 

[Linny]

The program was nice. Yes, improvements have been made since last year. Weren't they endearing during the interview, with her hanging her legs over his?
Linny

 

[soogar]

I thought Kristi and Rudi landed sbs triple lutzes and triple flips in 1989 Worlds and Nationals. Though they were mirror skating and not rotating in the same direction.

I think John needs to get in shape b/c he looked like he was working too hard toward the end of the program. I am impressed with Peter Tchernychev's choreography. I hope more skaters will use him as a choreographer b/c he did a great job creating a nice program for John and Rena.

 

[dorispulaski]

I liked both their programs, but particularly the LP. As a long time bemused fan of I&B, I can tell you that their throws are hugely improved this year, with Rena getting a good edge and flow out. The throw 3f has the same COP value as the throw 3lp, so there is probably not much more improvement needed there.

The footwork sequence they have choreographed is more like a dance S/L footwork. They haven't mastered it yet, but it is very intricate.

They get decent unison on the SBS spins.

Their lifts are quite good, especially for an American pair.

Yes, they are the 1st pair ever to do SBS triple lutzes successfully. Y&G did 3f's only. Putnam and Wirtz tried them too at SA, but she put her hand down. While John's landing was wonky, reminiscent of Vern Taylor's first ever 3A, he did not put his second foot down. I would like to see them replace the 2A / 2t sequence with a 2A/3t sequence.

The places they need most improvement, IMO, are:

Speed-they know it, and skated faster last year. They are going slower in this LP, mainly because it is very intricate, and they aren't used to it yet.

Twists: too low and too chest-crashy.

I hate his costume for the SP

If they make as much improvement in these 2 areas this year as they did in the other areas, they definitely could be in the top 6. (heck they might make 6th place this year, given a few breaks and a great skate at NHK)

In their SP at SA, they were less than a point behind z/z and very close to O/S.
This program has enough difficulty; they just need to land the 3lz's better and get a better 2tw.

 

[Mathman]

<<Original post was awkwardly and unfortunately worded. Sorry.>>

 

[pipsqueak]

geez

Geez, I think it's brutal to say that "the pose made her legs look too short" etc etc or whatever. Rena IS short---is that a crime now--esp. for a tiny female pairs figure skater who probably weighs about 80 pounds at less than 5' tall? Gimme a break.

Whatever anyone thinks about them, they are the most technically trained and talented US pairs skaters in eons and we NEED them to be where they are, doing what they can do, saving us from being international laughing stocks. Even tho' I loved Zimmerman & Ina, she was the one who was trained to the hilt, and he (though talented and easy on the eyes) was playing "catch up" from the start. He did an admirable job, but it was a stretch for his basic jumping and skating abilities overall. Both Rena and John have been accomplished singles skaters for years, and more experienced in national and international competition than most pairs that we have---or have had---even before they both decided upon pairing up. There's NO substitute for TIME on the ice....and they've both had plenty of it and it shows. Of course they've had to develop as pairs skaters and of course they've had to put in some years together to make the pair "gel", but it's all coming together, and I don't see anyone down the road for a LONG LONG time that is capable of what they can do now, or what they might do in another year together. I'm just grateful that the team decided to give this discipline a try before "retiring" out of skating altogether after singles. We've had a long drought in US pair skills, artistry, and flair, with only a few "blips" breaking the "radar" in the last decade.

 

[2ndmark]

Okay. Run me off the board if you will, but if I&B are the best the US has to offer (and they may be) then the US pairs program is in worse trouble than I thought. Sure I respect the attempt at the SBS 3Lutzes, but at 28 and 31 years of age, when does potential remain just that? I saw Vise and Kole at Mids last year and they are an impressive young team. I'm looking forward to their possibilities.

 

[Mathman]

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

 

[SailorGalaxia518]

I'm sure there are up-and-comers but as of right now besides Rena and John, the rest of the U.S. Pairs Team needs improvements especially on the lifts. They also need to work on power.

 

[sk8m8]

Okay. Run me off the board if you will, but if I&B are the best the US has to offer (and they may be) then the US pairs program is in worse trouble than I thought. Sure I respect the attempt at the SBS 3Lutzes, but at 28 and 31 years of age, when does potential remain just that? I saw Vise and Kole at Mids last year and they are an impressive young team. I'm looking forward to their possibilities.

I do think it bodes well if this couple stays injury free and can act as a "placeholder" in the elite top 10 so that the next generation of pairs can develop. They are better than they were last year and better than the year before that. At least they have stepped up to the plate with some good attempts at elements that keep in the ballpark with the elite. When I was worried was when I thought Scott and Duhlibon(sp) were going to continue the reign of "American Pairs Mediocrity." I think they actually regressed in the two years they were champions. I would add that Ina and Zimmerman were sort of long in the tooth when they won their world bronze medal.

I wish Rena and John the best. I don't know if this is generally known, but they are a real couple and sometimes I think that makes for the best pairs....sometimes

 

[dorispulaski]

You could tell they were a couple, particularly the way John was trying to raise extra applause for Rena while they were in the K&C

 

[alhuncc]

Kristi and Rudy did a jump sequence in 1989--triple flip then triple toe. In 1990, they did a triple toe/double toe combination.

John competed in men's singles through several of the years that Rudy did, including 1996. He always had a lot of personality on the ice.

Amanda

 

[fanforlady2001]

I like them too, they have potential if they can stand up. I think they are a couple. They are cute.