Johnny Weir out for rest of 2012-2013 season

[Mrs. P]

http://www.usfsa.org/Story.asp?id=48764&type=media

"It is with deep regret that I announce my withdrawal from the 2013 U.S. Figure Skating Championships," Weir said. "Since my return to competition this fall, I have worked very hard to compete this season with many obstacles and detours, but I made good on my promise to return to competition and I am very proud of that. My performances so far have not been to my satisfaction and, combined with the stress of competing, I feel that I need to take a step back, prepare more and be ready for the Olympic season beginning next fall."

[BarbC]

As you see in my "title" box . . . exactly how injured is Weir? And do you think the scare he took in Russia (by all accounts, getting home again after an aborted TV appearance showcasing his marriage was abruptly canceled took a lot out of him) has anything to do with this?

If Weir is being cautious in the same way Evan Lysacek appears to be -- and for the same reasons -- well, then that's sensible. Weir still has time to get himself in shape if he hustles. (As does Lysacek, providing that's what he wants.)

So shutting himself down now to get physical therapy and appropriate rehab and rest would be sensible.

But if this is because Weir knows he still doesn't have the quad down pat and he doesn't want to make a fool out of himself, I don't know what to think of that -- excepting that when Weir's on, his triple axel is a thing of beauty. And to my mind, I'd rather see two beautiful triple Axels (in combo or out of it) than an imperfect quad toe any day of the week (though I respect him mightily for trying).

IOW, I wouldn't try to make myself something I'm not, were I Weir. He is a brilliant skater when he is on, and he's still good (but slow) when he's off. (I wish *I* had ever been so "slow," but that's beside the point.) Reinventing the wheel doesn't seem to make much sense at this point, so if I were him, I'd concentrate on what he does well plus getting all those transitional elements the judges love so much into the mix.

And if the quad toe works, wonderful. If it doesn't, well, then it doesn't.

Also, some skaters have found that for some reason a different quad jump is easier than the quad toe loop. I don't know how likely it is that Weir would want to try a quad salchow. (I don't know how strong that particular jump is for him, especially due to the recent hip injury.) But maybe fooling around with it might help his quad toe in some way . . . just random thoughts. (Take 'em if they work for you; if not, throw 'em out and I won't be offended.)

http://www.usfsa.org/Story.asp?id=48764&type=media

[herios]

http://www.usfsa.org/Story.asp?id=48764&type=media

Not surprised. I was very skeptical about his return will be sucessful. At least he gave it a shot.

[emma]

thanks for posting this, Mrs. P.

I too was skeptical about his return, but despite withdrawing this Fall, it appeared he was really going to try to go to Nationals and I guess I feel somewhat surprised, but not totally surprised, by this announcement. I think the surprise is more about what isn't said - injury, and more about what the poster above might be getting at, which includes not being ready I suppose to contend for a medal.

I have very mixed feelings about these comebacks....and this gives me more to think about and be confused about!

But, I agree that when Weir was in his prime, his 3A was truly gorgeous. Sadly, I don't think we saw much of that in his last two competitive years of skating pre-comeback. But, I would love to see it again!

[drivingmissdaisy]

Not surprised. I was very skeptical about his return will be sucessful. At least he gave it a shot.

Yep, kudos to him for trying. I think with all of the celebrity treatment he gets now it is going to be difficult to balance all that with the training to be an elite athlete.

[pangtongfan]

I doubt he will continue his comeback any further. This is the first step to quietly ending things rather finishing 8th or 9th at Nationals and having to qualify possibly next year. I never thought his comeback had a hope of being remotedly successful personally. Too many factors against him (age, time away from competing, COP unfriendly skating, no quad, not a judges favorite, not a USFSA favorite).

[l'etoile]

Sad, but glad that he's determined to challenge himself further

[drivingmissdaisy]

Too many factors against him (age, time away from competing, COP unfriendly skating, no quad, not a judges favorite, not a USFSA favorite).

ITA. At least he has the goods to be a great show skater, which will allow him to earn a living touring.

[Kitt]

As you see in my "title" box . . . exactly how injured is Weir? And do you think the scare he took in Russia (by all accounts, getting home again after an aborted TV appearance showcasing his marriage was abruptly canceled took a lot out of him) has anything to do with this?

If Weir is being cautious in the same way Evan Lysacek appears to be -- and for the same reasons -- well, then that's sensible. Weir still has time to get himself in shape if he hustles. (As does Lysacek, providing that's what he wants.)

So shutting himself down now to get physical therapy and appropriate rehab and rest would be sensible.

But if this is because Weir knows he still doesn't have the quad down pat and he doesn't want to make a fool out of himself, I don't know what to think of that -- excepting that when Weir's on, his triple axel is a thing of beauty. And to my mind, I'd rather see two beautiful triple Axels (in combo or out of it) than an imperfect quad toe any day of the week (though I respect him mightily for trying).

IOW, I wouldn't try to make myself something I'm not, were I Weir. He is a brilliant skater when he is on, and he's still good (but slow) when he's off. (I wish *I* had ever been so "slow," but that's beside the point.) Reinventing the wheel doesn't seem to make much sense at this point, so if I were him, I'd concentrate on what he does well plus getting all those transitional elements the judges love so much into the mix.

And if the quad toe works, wonderful. If it doesn't, well, then it doesn't.

Also, some skaters have found that for some reason a different quad jump is easier than the quad toe loop. I don't know how likely it is that Weir would want to try a quad salchow. (I don't know how strong that particular jump is for him, especially due to the recent hip injury.) But maybe fooling around with it might help his quad toe in some way . . . just random thoughts. (Take 'em if they work for you; if not, throw 'em out and I won't be offended.)

I really like your post, Barb C. Welcome to GoldenSkate!

It makes me sad for many reasons....I wonder how injured he is. It's obviously he gave this a lot of thought. Well, at least he's appearing on the Today show Dec. 21.

[gmyers]

Too bad - he has a lot to offer and maybe he will come back next season.

[aftertherain]

ITA. At least he has the goods to be a great show skater, which will allow him to earn a living touring.

I'd agree with this, but there was a big thing right after the Olympics about ho SOI didn't invite him because he wasn't consid family-friendly enough. That isn't to say he would do well in international shows, but it's definitely a slap in the face.

[Tonichelle]

SOI said he wouldnt meld well with their internal family, which considering at the time evan was on tour with them is not surprising.

[blue_idealist]

I honestly think he's stopping this season because, after competing at a GP, he realizes he can't compete with the big guns right now. I think the withdrawal at his GP event was partly because of embarrassment. I'd be surprised to see him next season, either.

[herios]

I honestly think he's stopping this season because, after competing at a GP, he realizes he can't compete with the big guns right now. I think the withdrawal at his GP event was partly because of embarrassment. I'd be surprised to see him next season, either.

I think you are right

[MoonlightSkater]

Also, some skaters have found that for some reason a different quad jump is easier than the quad toe loop. I don't know how likely it is that Weir would want to try a quad salchow. (I don't know how strong that particular jump is for him, especially due to the recent hip injury.) But maybe fooling around with it might help his quad toe in some way . . . just random thoughts. (Take 'em if they work for you; if not, throw 'em out and I won't be offended.)

This is an interesting point. Considering his beautiful triple axle, I wonder how comfortable a Salchow is for him. There are a few overlaps in the techniques of the jumps and it could make for a strong Salchow. I wonder if he's attemtped the quad Salchow much.