What happened to Johnny Weir?

[krenseby]

What happened to Johnny Weir? It seemed like he had a good season, had prepared himself to execute his jumps pretty decently, and yet had a total breakdown at Nationals. That's kinda shocking given that he hasn't been a slacker and he and coach Galina really focused on jump training. Was it nerves? Did he regress to an earlier inferior jump technique that brought about all these mistakes? More importantly, does this forecast a long term jumping issue that could really set him back in his future international competitions like the Grand Prix final events?

[taylorfax]

None of the above. I just don't think he's in shape. Too many illnesses in a row between competitions and travel and too little time to recover.

[figsk8r2]

Yeah, I think he probably lost some training time and is still somewhat weak from his illnesses. The mistake in the short program was a fluke for him, and I think being placed so low probably threw him off for the long. Really unfortunate to see, but I hope he somehow still ends up on the world team. I think one of the commentators mentioned that had he decided he wasn't prepared enough and withdrawn, then petitioned for a spot on the team, he probably would've gotten it. Kind of made me angry to think of that!

[Dee4707]

None of the above. I just don't think he's in shape. Too many illnesses in a row between competitions and travel and too little time to recover.

That's what he said in an interview and also that he lost 8 lbs.

Dee

[krenseby]

None of the above. I just don't think he's in shape. Too many illnesses in a row between competitions and travel and too little time to recover.

What illnesses? I haven't heard about this, so please explain!

[MissIzzy]

Watching him skate this season and listening to his interview last week, I'd already started to wonder if possibly the "sacred fire" has gone out. I'm wondering that even more now.

[flying camel]

It has been a long season. Johnny & Evan both appear burnt out and tired. They look like they need a long vacation to have a shot at next year. The young guns are starting to pass them by. I don't see them both making it to the Olympics next year.

[dizzydi7]

Even though Johnny stayed focused and trained hard this year, I just can't help but think that he is a delicate soul. These side trips that he takes to foreign countries during the competitive season don't seem to help matters. Perhaps he would have been wise to skip the Korea show and thus perhaps avoid the last bug he contracted. He seems to be very affected and taken down by illnesses much more than other skaters.

Dizzy

[elinmand]

What happened to Johnny? The "new" judging system that makes skaters focus on racking up points rather than doing what they're good at and doing it brilliantly.

Beyond that--

I'm a Johnny fan and always want to see him do well. I keep waiting for him to come through when it counts, and it hasn't been happening lately. There always seems to be some kind of physical problem that crops up right around major competitions--foot problems, back problems, a bad cold, a virus--and it makes me wonder if he's taking as good care of himself as he should.

I don't question his decisions to travel and perform in Europe and Asia, because those trips are in part responsible for his large international fan base. I never questioned his decisions to appear in fashion shows or award shows, because he can't be on the ice 24/7, and even if he were, it would make him less interesting.

What I think he needs is strength training and a better diet. From what he says, he's been living for years on several coffee drinks plus one modest meal a day, and worries that eating more would make him sluggish and "fat" (as if!). Those coffee drinks are loaded with mostly-empty calories, and can interfere with sleep patterns and energy levels. And a bit more muscle would not only help his rotations and improve his self-image, but could also increase his metabolic rate so he could eat more real food.

I want Johnny to keep being Johnny. I love both his artistry and his personality. But I want him to take good enough care of himself so he's around for a long time.

[Spun Silver]

Very nice post, Elinmand, ITA.

Not that it's very relevant, but Johnny's skin color in the Truth Booth was bizarre. Did he cook himself in order to look healthy for TV? Didn't work.

[Bennett]

Sorry I was not following the event. So is he going to the World???

[calbskate]

he's first alternate for worlds at the moment...abbott, mroz, and lysacek are going

[Bennett]

Thanks! Wow, the reigning Bronze medalist not going. Not surprising given the National result. But still shocking that he missed it. Hope he could make the Olympic team.

BTW, I wish he hadn't done the show in Korea. I feel that it affected his showing here.

[taylorfax]

It has been a long season. Johnny & Evan both appear burnt out and tired. They look like they need a long vacation to have a shot at next year. The young guns are starting to pass them by. I don't see them both making it to the Olympics next year.

God I truly hope that won't be the case. Because.. well, I already said this elsewhere but it bears repeating, no wonder the US has no gold medals lately if the federation is that stupid. Those guys both have Olympic experience and know what it's like and can and want to do better in the one more Olys that they have in them. (The youngsters can afford to wait a bit, they have more time before their bodies give up on them as well.) And despite my never really liking Evan's skating that much, I absolutely hope he's on that team. Him and Johnny both.

What illnesses? I haven't heard about this, so please explain!

Bad cold during the last GP event, hooked up to an IV at Christmas.

[herios]

God I truly hope that won't be the case. Because.. well, I already said this elsewhere but it bears repeating, no wonder the US has no gold medals lately if the federation is that stupid. Those guys both have Olympic experience and know what it's like and can and want to do better in the one more Olys that they have in them. (The youngsters can afford to wait a bit, they have more time before their bodies give up on them as well.) And despite my never really liking Evan's skating that much, I absolutely hope he's on that team. Him and Johnny both..

Abbott is not a youngster, he is 23 same as Evan. He cannot wait and the way he's been prepared this year shows that he's a focused athlete, unlike Johhny. He is setting himself up well for his second Worlds and if he would medal, that would be a perfect set up for his Olympic quest. And because historically, when US hosted the Worlds, usually one man medals (hint, hint) I have some very good feelings for him. As far as Johnny, I would not bet right now on him, anyting.