Javier Fernandez

[evergreen]

BTW, Javi dancing with Gabriella at gala rehearsal: https://www.instagram.com/p/BMxDBmUA34Y/

thanks for the photo, honghe, but I think the girl he danced with is Marie-Jade Lauriault, ice dancer of French No. 3team.

Speaking of Morozov, here is his recent interview, in which he was asked about Javi:-

EV: Yet Brian Orser was able to pull Javier Fernandez together and make him work?

NM: Fernandez is so talented, outstanding. All the jumps he is doing now he was landing 7 years ago and he was able to do them at any time of the day - just to win a bet. In Canada, I think, he found the right coach and the right company. Later he tasted the victory and he liked it.

topic:, it was funny how Morozov talked about Katsalapov's working attitude, which is so true. I always think Nikita is such a talented male ice dancer, he is a better skater than Cizeron in the department of traditional ball-room dance styles.

I always find the interviews of Russian coaches are very interesting to read, often times they are biased, or even ridiculous, but they always speak from their mind. Although I dislike the majority of IJS-oriented choreography produced by Morozov, he normally can find what fit his student the best and he learned a lot from Tarasova on how to prepare his skaters for the competitions.

 

[honghe]

I can imagine young Javi stroking around in the rink with his arms tied up to a cross on his back it worked, before joining Morozov, Javi had terrible posture and wooden arms, his stroking, tbh, was not as good as his sister's.

Laura tried ice dance for a while, if I am not mistaken?
I also recall that Tracy mentioned in the TSL interview that when Javi first arrived in Toronto, one day Tracy was teaching a stroking class and Javi tried to leave the ice

I can also understand why Morozov's international students have special bond/friendship, in such circumstances where family members, relatives and home-town friends cannot be reached, they had to rely on each other.

Given how often that group had to travel, I guess all of his students could be considered international students? I can only imagine how hard it must be on everyone. I completely agree with you. I guess there must be times when those skaters only had each other to rely on.

thanks for the photo, honghe, but I think the girl he danced with is Marie-Jade Lauriault, ice dancer of French No. 2 team.

The photo is kind of blurry so I am not sure who the girl is, either... But the person who took the photo tagged Gabriella so I guess it's probably her? Also seems to to have the same clothes and hair as in this photo: https://fotki.yandex.ru/next/users/julbka-kuz/album/533659/view/1472284

 

[evergreen]

Laura tried ice dance for a while, if I am not mistaken?

Yes, Laura switched to ice dance when she felt she hit the ceiling of free-style, jump-wise; at the time, Spanish Federation recruited John Dunn, an ice dance coach to develop an ice-dance program; she even found a Canadian partner and had good try-out.

I also recall that Tracy mentioned in the TSL interview that when Javi first arrived in Toronto, one day Tracy was teaching a stroking class and Javi tried to leave the ice

Yes, she said that Javi left the group and sat on a bench after a few rounds of stroking, when she asked why he left, he said he was tired.

The photo is kind of blurry so I am not sure who the girl is, either... But the person who took the photo tagged Gabriella so I guess it's probably her? Also seems to to have the same clothes and hair as in this photo: https://fotki.yandex.ru/next/users/julbka-kuz/album/533659/view/1472284

I could tell Gabriella's body figure is more slender but the original poster said it was Marie-Jade. Anyway, Javi is still old Javi, having fun & playing around after competitions. I wish he can transfer a little more his naughtiness/wildness into Elvis program.

 

[honghe]

Speaking of Morozov, here is his recent interview, in which he was asked about Javi:-

EV: Yet Brian Orser was able to pull Javier Fernandez together and make him work?

NM: Fernandez is so talented, outstanding. All the jumps he is doing now he was landing 7 years ago and he was able to do them at any time of the day - just to win a bet. In Canada, I think, he found the right coach and the right company. Later he tasted the victory and he liked it.

Thanks for the link, evergreen. I don't agree with some of the things said in this interview, but it's interesting to read.
So he thinks that the coaches and training environment in Toronto suit Javi perfectly. I guess we can at least agree on one thing

topic: Re: I/K... I love Cizeron so I won't compare him with anyone, but yes, I/K were such a promising team...
"Take the ice dance - there was a team who could win absolutely everything and they never won a thing with any coach they worked." It pains me to think what could have been...

Although I dislike the majority of IJS-oriented choreography produced by Morozov, he normally can find what fit his student the best and he learned a lot from Tarasova on how to prepare his skaters for the competitions.

topic: Not a huge fan of his choreography, but he does seem to be able to find things that help his students get the attention they deserve. (Although I have to say, I like Miki so much more as a show skater than in competitions. Not sure if I should blame Morozov here.)

 

[honghe]

Yes, Laura switched to ice dance when she felt she hit the ceiling of free-style, jump-wise; at the time, Spanish Federation recruited John Dunn, an ice dance coach to develop an ice-dance program; she even found a Canadian partner and had good try-out.

That was also when Adri switched from singles to ice dance right? The Spanish Fed's efforts in developing ice dance really seemed to have started paying off with the success Sara and Adri were getting, and then:sad21:... I just hope they both enjoy success with their new partners.

Anyway, Javi is still old Javi, having fun & playing around after competitions. I wish he can transfer a little more his naughtiness/wildness into Elvis program.

I agree completely. But I guess maybe he's been playing safe with the Elvis program for now? Which is understandable, I guess, given that he's only really been back to training since September, and lost about a week of training time not long before his GP events. Now that he's qualified for the GPF, I hope with more time and as he becomes more comfortable with the program, he can start to have more fun with it
Javi, you have one of the most amazing personalities, please use it to your advantage

 

[evergreen]

Thanks for the link, evergreen. I don't agree with some of the things said in this interview, but it's interesting to read.
So he thinks that the coaches and training environment in Toronto suit Javi perfectly. I guess we can at least agree on one thing

Yes, he can never spoon feed Javi like Brian Orser and Tracy did but he at least discovered a raw diamond in nowhere of skating world, helped him to qualify for 10' Olympics, and gave him a genius piece of program to let Javi stand out at the biggest stage in Vancouver

otopic: Re: I/K... I love Cizeron so I won't compare him with anyone, but yes, I/K were such a promising team...
"Take the ice dance - there was a team who could win absolutely everything and they never won a thing with any coach they worked." It pains me to think what could have been...

Cizeron is a dancer/artist on skates, but what he excels the best is contemporary dance. Everyone thought I/K would dominate the quadrennial after Sochi, what a waste of talent. If they are still together, the ice-dance competition would have been much more interesting to watch.

Not a huge fan of his choreography, but he does seem to be able to find things that help his students get the attention they deserve. (Although I have to say, I like Miki so much more as a show skater than in competitions. Not sure if I should blame Morozov here.)

Morozov tried his best to make Miki to perform, her carriage on ice/posture improved a lot under Morozov' instruction; TBH, he contributed a great deal to Miki's 2 world titles; Miki is athletic jumper, but her basic skating skill is not as good as most of Japanese elite lady-skaters; she has great personalities, her style has become more mature after becoming a mother,
and I began to appreciate or even like some of her show programs after her retirement.

 

[honghe]

Cizeron is a dancer/artist on skates, but what he excels the best is contemporary dance. Everyone thought I/K would dominate the quadrennial after Sochi, what a waste of talent. If they are still together, the ice-dance competition would have been much more interesting to watch.

topic:It did look like the stars were aligned for I/K to dominate after Sochi, but... oh what could have been.

I fear for spamming this thread with even more topic: but I guess this is not completely off topic? Gabrielle Daleman posted this picture https://www.instagram.com/p/BMwKLmMDAiT/ with a very touching message thanking fans, her family, her coaches and also Javi. It's nice to read about Javi being nice and supportive to younger skaters.:luv17:
I think Gabby indeed has every reason to be very proud of what she did at her GP events this season, and her future is definitely very bright. (And I say it as a Kaetlyn fan.)

 

[evergreen]

That was also when Adri switched from singles to ice dance right? The Spanish Fed's efforts in developing ice dance really seemed to have started paying off with the success Sara and Adri were getting, and then:sad21:... I just hope they both enjoy success with their new partners.

Yes, Adria used to be a single skater and he trained and competed with Javi since they were very young; Javier Raya, Adria and Javi practically grew up together

I consider that Sara & Adria was the 1st avant garde team of Montreal ice-dance school, and their programs/presence on ice was so unique and captivating, despite of less superior skating skills; their surviving Piccasso is one of my all time favorite ice-dance programs. How unfortunate they had to split Diaz/Smart looks sweet & lovable, but I am afraid that they are becoming Hubbell/Donohue No. 2, as the materials they are given are in similar styles. Wish Sara can partner with her new teammate successful, however, I sometimes doubt Zhulin's creativity.

I agree completely. But I guess maybe he's been playing safe with the Elvis program for now? Which is understandable, I guess, given that he's only really been back to training since September, and lost about a week of training time not long before his GP events. Now that he's qualified for the GPF, I hope with more time and as he becomes more comfortable with the program, he can start to have more fun with it
Javi, you have one of the most amazing personalities, please use it to your advantage

I am glad that we are on the same page. According to xibsuarz, Javi was rebellious when he was a teenage, what he needs to do is to bring back his old teens to the Jailhouse Rock section, and give the program more abandonment. Many skating fans criticized Javi for repeating the same up-tempo/light-hearted programs year by year. In my view, the criticism is not justified. The character he portrayed in Guys and Dolls was obviously different than Figaro in the Barber of Seville, which shows that Javi is really good at portraying different characters on ice. The two GP series are back-to-back competition and he could hardly make any significant change, and the program does seem a little disjointed here and there, but I believe Javi will make good progress with his Elvis FS as the season moves on.

 

[evergreen]

I fear for spamming this thread with even more topic: but I guess this is not completely off topic? Gabrielle Daleman posted this picture https://www.instagram.com/p/BMwKLmMDAiT/ with a very touching message thanking fans, her family, her coaches and also Javi. It's nice to read about Javi being nice and supportive to younger skaters.:luv17:
I think Gabby indeed has every reason to be very proud of what she did at her GP events this season, and her future is definitely very bright. (And I say it as a Kaetlyn fan.)

You are right, it is not off-topic. I felt sad for Gabby, she did so well for her SP at TDF, but her confidence was shaking after 1st fall trying 3t-3t. May I blame the ice condition in that corner, since quite a few skaters stumble and splat at the same area, i.e. zhenya. However, like Javi said, every competition is a lesson, Javi was not a tough competitor several years ago. I also found that Javi is extremely nice and gentle to kids and very supportive to younger skaters (he gave a big hug to Gabby after medal ceremonies), and always pay compliment to new comers, i.e. Hanyu, Uno, Jin & Chen; perhaps their fight/struggles remind him how he made through his early career, an inferior 15-year skater coming from nowhere and judges did not bother to look at him.

Although I am found of Kaetlyn's skating more, I always appreciate Canadian lady skaters' skating skills and powerful gliding. The common problem for them is that their jumps are so high, and it is more difficult to control the landings, though somehow Kaetlyn figures out to adjust her air position this season and become a serious medal contender for 17' worlds.

 

[eppen]

Last night my gala report was somewhat shortened by the arrival of the taxi to the airport... Back home now and head still quite full of Paris! It was a wonderful weekend getaway, with a lot of lovely (and some not so lovely) skating, meeting skating friends etc.!

During the finale, they did the now-customary selfie and then Misha and Javi arranged people into the Mannequin Challenge which Javi missed himself totally: Mannequin Challenge at gala: https://www.instagram.com/p/BMwsiVODvKD/?tagged=javierfernandez He basically stood around in one corner whilst Misha was shooting the others I had no idea what they were up to...

When the skaters got back from the ice, Evgenia Medvedeva has a short heart-to-heart with Javi - somehow serious-looking and at the end of it they hugged. Would have loved to know what that was all about.

Afterwards I started to think that his cheeks looked even more hollow than they usually do and wondered whether that was just the effect of the lights at the gala or whether he is skinnier than before (which seem almost impossible!)...

Wish the FS press conferece would show up as sound or video clip, because it apparently was a very funny and lively one!

One more photo from Moscow: https://www.instagram.com/p/BMr4QAAhuBV/?tagged=javierfernández

SP draw with Misha and Ivan https://www.instagram.com/p/BMpJSBNAXkR/?taken-by=julbka_
SP practice: https://www.instagram.com/p/BMrXVh_AWnL/?tagged=javierfernandez
SP introduction ovation from Hielo Espanol: https://www.facebook.com/hieloespanol/videos
France TV SP video with a short interview from the mixed zone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YIZoMer_Dk
Backstage at practice with Brian: https://www.instagram.com/p/BMtIisEAIlw/?tagged=tropheedefrance, https://www.instagram.com/p/BMtIgY0g-qx/?tagged=tropheedefrance, https://www.instagram.com/p/BMpdZUQAjy4/?tagged=tropheedefrance
FS warm-up: https://www.instagram.com/p/BMuhp82Dv4N/?tagged=javierfernandez
In the mixed zone after FS: https://www.instagram.com/p/BMuLapzh9GA/
Gala practice with Mura: https://www.instagram.com/p/BMx1NU7DmpM/?tagged=javierfernandez

GP statistics: http://www.mundodeportivo.com/otros...ier-fernandez-se-cuela-entre-los-grandes.html
News items from Marca: http://www.marca.com/deportes-invierno/2016/11/12/58276f85268e3e1f468b45b7.html, http://www.marca.com/deportes-invierno/2016/11/11/58261d63468aeb693a8b46a0.html
Plus from Hielo Espanol: http://www.hieloespanol.es/1/javier...el_corto_en_el_trofeo_de_francia_2525019.html, http://www.hieloespanol.es/1/javier_fernandez_lidera_la_carrera_por_el_grand_prix_2525691.html

Check also Diego Vigo photography on FB - he was there for Hielo Espanol and has some excellent photographs up already, including https://www.instagram.com/p/BMuKjlxjIVl/?tagged=javierfernández from Thursday's practice session.

From Miki: King Javi and the heir to the throne? https://twitter.com/M1K1_ANDO/status/797633998507819008

And my favourite of the whole weekend, from Hielo Espanol: https://www.facebook.com/hieloespanol/photos/pcb.1347830071916308/1347829038583078/?type=3&theater (I'm in the picture, that is )

Oh, and thanks to Xibxuarz for translating bits of the Javi story - I will get the book, but have never read anything like that in Spanish and knowing what to expect will help a lot in the process!

E

 

[Arriba627]

topic:It did look like the stars were aligned for I/K to dominate after Sochi, but... oh what could have been.

I fear for spamming this thread with even more topic: but I guess this is not completely off topic? Gabrielle Daleman posted this picture https://www.instagram.com/p/BMwKLmMDAiT/ with a very touching message thanking fans, her family, her coaches and also Javi. It's nice to read about Javi being nice and supportive to younger skaters.:luv17:
I think Gabby indeed has every reason to be very proud of what she did at her GP events this season, and her future is definitely very bright. (And I say it as a Kaetlyn fan.)

Wonderful message and thank you to Javi. Very thoughtful of him to be so supportive.

 

[honghe]

Although I am found of Kaetlyn's skating more, I always appreciate Canadian lady skaters' skating skills and powerful gliding. The common problem for them is that their jumps are so high, and it is more difficult to control the landings, though somehow Kaetlyn figures out to adjust her air position this season and become a serious medal contender for 17' worlds.

topic: I get what you said about their jumps. Kimmie also mentioned the same thing regarding Kaetlyn's jumps on TSL after Skate Canada. On the other hand, though, when they land these huge jumps, it's quite spectacular to watch.
I don't want to jinx Kaetlyn, as she hasn't proved she can be consistent (or stay heathy... ). Hope she continues to do well this season.

Last night my gala report was somewhat shortened by the arrival of the taxi to the airport... Back home now and head still quite full of Paris! It was a wonderful weekend getaway, with a lot of lovely (and some not so lovely) skating, meeting skating friends etc.!

During the finale, they did the now-customary selfie and then Misha and Javi arranged people into the Mannequin Challenge which Javi missed himself totally: Mannequin Challenge at gala: https://www.instagram.com/p/BMwsiVODvKD/?tagged=javierfernandez He basically stood around in one corner whilst Misha was shooting the others I had no idea what they were up to...

When the skaters got back from the ice, Evgenia Medvedeva has a short heart-to-heart with Javi - somehow serious-looking and at the end of it they hugged. Would have loved to know what that was all about.

Afterwards I started to think that his cheeks looked even more hollow than they usually do and wondered whether that was just the effect of the lights at the gala or whether he is skinnier than before (which seem almost impossible!)...

Thank you so much, eppen, for the reports! I am happy that you enjoyed the weekend in Paris! And thank you so much for the links, too. The photo of Javi thanking the audience is great, and I am happy that you are in it!

I thought the same thing about Javi's cheeks during the award ceremony, that from certain angles he seemed to have become skinnier I don't know whether it was the light or the makeup or something else. Maybe it's the travel or having to do back to back GP events. Anyway since Javi himself never knows how much he weighs, I guess we won't find out whether he is skinnier than before...

 

[xibsuarz]

Oh, and thanks to Xibxuarz for translating bits of the Javi story - I will get the book, but have never read anything like that in Spanish and knowing what to expect will help a lot in the process!

E

Thank you so much for your reports eppen! I hope you had a great time :yes:
The book is already available on Kindle if you don't mind reading that way, if not, we just have to wait a couple more days for the physical version to be released It's got some very cute pictures of Javi as a kid, teenager and World Champion at the very end

 

[evergreen]

Thank you very much, eppen, for the reports and links, these photos and clips are fantastic:luv17: IIR, you are going to GPF three weeks later, aren't you? I was thinking about it but finally give up the trip, simply because I almost run out of vacations towards the end of year.

Yes, I also noticed that Javi's face gets thinner this season, since we all have the same observation, it is definitely not because of light or the make up he wore (does he wear make up for the competition?); after winning 2nd world title, Javi got busier off-season, touring 3 different shows, engaging PR affairs in Spain, developing his business project for an sports agency helping other skaters; I wish he could have a good rest when he returns to Toronto and then gear up to prepare for the GPF.

 

[eppen]

It is wonderful to be able to share the experiences :luv17:

And yes, this was the first of my 4 (four!) skating trips this season. I am going to the GP final (with un-numbered seats section tics, so I probably have to camp outside the rink to get a decent seat for the men's comp!), to the Europeans and the Worlds... I have never had the time nor (particularly) the money to do this much, but for this season I can do it (and I hope, time-wise also next season). They work as an amazing stress relief - you are so engrossed with the comps and talk only skating for days on end!

I was wondering whether there will be events in Spain connected with the publishing of the book? Have not seen any indication of it yet, but maybe. Plus there wer hints of all kinds of future projects on the Hielo Espanol comments, but not very many details yet. Just that his December will be (again) superbusy and that there will be a show in Spain towards the end of the year. The Spanish fed leaders were in Paris to meet him also.

E

 

[honghe]

4 Skating trips this season! Wow! eppen, I hope the rest 3 will be great ones as well!

Javi will be skating in a benefit show for the Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation on Sunday, November 20: https://scottcares.org/events/evening-scott-hamilton-friends
(So I kind of hope he's back to this side of the ocean and can have some quality rest time before he heads for the US for the show...)

Last year he also had a show in Spain around Christmas-New Year so I guess they are doing it again this year?

 

[Arriba627]

It is wonderful to be able to share the experiences :luv17:

And yes, this was the first of my 4 (four!) skating trips this season. I am going to the GP final (with un-numbered seats section tics, so I probably have to camp outside the rink to get a decent seat for the men's comp!), to the Europeans and the Worlds... I have never had the time nor (particularly) the money to do this much, but for this season I can do it (and I hope, time-wise also next season). They work as an amazing stress relief - you are so engrossed with the comps and talk only skating for days on end!

I was wondering whether there will be events in Spain connected with the publishing of the book? Have not seen any indication of it yet, but maybe. Plus there wer hints of all kinds of future projects on the Hielo Espanol comments, but not very many details yet. Just that his December will be (again) superbusy and that there will be a show in Spain towards the end of the year. The Spanish fed leaders were in Paris to meet him also.

So happy for you! You are so fortunate! And yes, you just get so engrossed that the rest of the world just goes away for awhile! I'm sure you were very in the moment. Have really appreciated your reports.

 

[evergreen]

And yes, this was the first of my 4 (four!) skating trips this season. I am going to the GP final (with un-numbered seats section tics, so I probably have to camp outside the rink to get a decent seat for the men's comp!), to the Europeans and the Worlds...

At least I will join you in the worlds in Finland: laugh: From now on, I am counting on your reports on GPF

Honghe, I double checked the resources and you are right, the girl Javi danced with in the gala practice was Gabriella

I assume that after GPF, Javi will stay in Madrid for Spanish National Championship, Christmas & New Year, and then return to Toronto to prepare for the Euros, like he did last year. Of course he will keep on training in Spain, since he has a Spanish coach there to oversee his daily practice.

 

[eppen]

I will certainly do my best to give reports on every comp I will go to - it all depends on the internet situation in each place. Paris was good in that respect. And I feel extremely lucky because I can do this right now with Javi's (probably) last seasons...

And just in from Hielo Espanol: RevolutiOn Ice https://www.facebook.com/hieloespan...412707658055/1350694578296524/?type=3&theater

"Hoy os contamos en MARCA y, en exclusiva, lo último de Javier Fernández skater: ‘Revolution on Ice’. Producido por el propio Javier y su agente Jorge Serradilla, se trata un show que mezclará patinadores de élite con música en directo el 29 de diciembre en el palacio de Vistalegre (Madrid). Además de Fernández, han confirmado su asistencia otros dos campeones del mundo: la rusa Evgenia Medvedeva y la pareja canadiense Meagan Duhamel-Eric Radford. Además veremos a los dúos de danza Anna Cappellini – Luca Lanotte (Italia) y Madison Hubbell–Zachary Donohue (EEUU), así como a Miki Ando (Japón), Kiira Korpi (Finlandia), Shawn Sawyer (Canadá), Misha Ghe (Uzbekistán) y a los principales patinadores de la selección española, entre otros. Las 10.500 entradas para esta gala están ya a la venta a través de la plataforma Marca Entradas. Televisiones de numerosos países ya han adquirido los derechos."

The article starts with some words on his book (very general, apparently no events planned for that), then goes on to talk about his finances (I love to see that he seems to be in a good place now), and last the stuff about the show - with live music and a fairly good line-up of skaters. December 29 in Madrid and before that he will be in a show in Jaca on December 23 for the Spanish federation. Plus the Spanish nationals before that.

E

 

[evergreen]

I will certainly do my best to give reports on every comp I will go to - it all depends on the internet situation in each place. Paris was good in that respect. And I feel extremely lucky because I can do this right now with Javi's (probably) last seasons...

Thank you, eppen, you do not have to report live, a summary of the competitions afterwards will do, song long as we can read your report Yes, Javi will most likely retire after 18'Olymipics and I am not sure whether he will compete in 18' Worlds in Milan. I can hardly complain anything since I have been following him for almost a decade, but still...., sometime I wish the skaters' sport life can be extended as long as those of golf players;

I am so pleased to learn that the show "Revolution on Ice" on 29th Dec will be a big one and we may get to see via TV broadcast; since Javi is one of the producers, I guess he has been working on it since the past summer.