Close Encounters

Some coaches encourage romance to create the chemistry that enchants skating judges. John Baldwin and Rena Inoue, an off-ice couple, won the 2006 U.S. title and are headed for Torino. Platonic pairs like the world's top ice-dancing team, Russians Tatiana Navka and Roman Kostomarov, must summon a skill so rare in great athletes--acting (ever see Shaquille O'Neal in Kazaam?). "Go to Hollywood, take some lessons," implores Russian coach Evgeny Platov, who despite a combustive partnership with Oksana (Pasha) Grishuk--"I went cuckoo"--faked love on ice to win gold medals with Grishuk in '94 and '98. Italian ice dancers Barbara Fusar-Poli and Maurizio Margaglio might have to pull an Oscar in Torino; they have consulted two psychologists to help them get along. But, insists Margaglio, "when I am on the ice, Barbara is my woman."

Lugers Martin and Grimmette don't have to fake friendship. But like any close couple, they have their heated squabbles, mostly over luge issues. Whether teammates break bread, share a bed or see red, all Olympic pairs must be their own worst critics in Torino because when you're sliding down a track at 80 m.p.h. or throwing a skating partner in the air, mistakes won't just hurt your score. Says Martin: "If we screw up here, the consequence is pain."