Skating’s Galindo Is Turning Pro

Figure skater Rudy Galindo, who overcame the defection of his pairs partner, the deaths of two coaches and years of underachievement to win the U.S. men’s championship last winter, will announce today that he is turning professional.

Galindo, 27, will not be eligible to defend the title that he won before a hometown crowd in San Jose in an upset over former champions Todd Eldredge and Scott Davis.

Although Galindo won national pairs titles in 1989 and ’90 with Kristi Yamaguchi, he had not finished higher than fifth in singles until this year. He subsequently finished third in the World Championships.

Galindo said at that time that he wanted to retain his eligibility through the 1998 Winter Olympics, but his agent, Michael Rosenberg, said Tuesday that Galindo could not commit the hours required for training because of deals he has signed for an autobiography, a made-for-television movie, tours and exhibitions.

Galindo will debut in a professional competition on Oct. 26 in Albany, N.Y.