Show biz was a rejuvenating fuel for former champs

Rena Inoue and John Baldwin really didn't disappear. It just felt like it last fall, as the former U.S. pairs champions bypassed the competitive skating circuit to perform in ice shows.

As it turns out, they almost did vanish from the competitive scene -- for good. After six appearances at nationals and two U.S. titles, Inoue felt burned out by the competitive grind and needed a break. When they made a late decision to perform in this week's nationals at Xcel Energy Center, Baldwin nearly gave up, convinced he could not get ready in the two weeks they had to train.

No wonder they were so happy after Tuesday's practice session. Baldwin and Inoue return to competition in tonight's pairs short program, refreshed and excited to see where they stand.

"We've already accomplished all our goals in the sport," said Baldwin, who with Inoue will debut two new programs at nationals. "But it is a challenge, and we didn't want to walk away from that. I think it's going to go well."

Inoue, 31, and Baldwin, 34, had not had a break since 2005. With five world championships appearances and the 2006 Olympics on their résumé, they considered retiring from competition but were spurred on because nothing else in their lives provided such an exhilarating test.

But the new judging system, which forces skaters to cram programs with high-scoring elements, took a toll on Inoue. Going to the rink started to feel like work. She needed the creative freedom that show skating would provide, and the break made all the difference.

"Even though we were still performing a lot, I had a good time," she said. "I got back into the joyness of skating. It feels so fresh now, and that's the kind of feeling I needed."

As late as last week, he was so nervous about being prepared that he almost bowed out. Coach and choreographer Phillip Mills, who created the new programs, talked him out of it -- and got the pair feeling confident. They plan to do their signature throw triple axel in the free skate.

"A couple of weeks ago, I was quitting," Baldwin said. "I was asking myself that question: Why are we doing this? Well, you need to do it because you need to prove to yourself that you can."

Enter the women The first practice for senior-level women was held Tuesday at Pleasant Arena. Defending champion Kimmie Meissner was a no-show, but the three women who swept the junior podium at last year's nationals -- as well as at the junior world championships -- ran through their short programs.

World junior champion Caroline Zhang was last to leave the ice during her session. Mirai Nagasu did a grand version of her charming "I Got Rhythm" program, and Ashley Wagner looked fit and ready for Thursday's women's short program.

"My focus was to do a pretty good program, and I felt really good," said Wagner, the bronze medalist at the 2007 nationals and junior worlds.

Gilles wins Alexe Gilles of the Broadmoor Figure Skating Club in Colorado Springs performed a brilliant free skate Tuesday night to win the U.S. junior women's championship. Gilles, 16, finished first in the free skate with 103.54 points to earn a total of 156.17.