Javier Fernandez

[evergreen]

Road conditions suck in the winter here in Toronto so I doubt he's stocking up on that ice cream during the training season, summer is nice (except for the construction downtown) so I'm sure he's more lax on what he eats.

Javi's passion for goody is so adorable :luv17:

I remember his IMG agent asked around in twitter for recommendations of good restaurants in Windsor serving Spanish cuisine, because someone would very much to have a taste of gourmet home dishes after the competition a/k/o celebrating his 1st GP victory

 

[honghe]

If any difficult elements comes to them so naturally without going through hard training, why they should bother to work their butt off, especially when they acquired all the technical skills at very young age. On the other hand, they were full of energy which made them difficult in staying focused and keeping their concentration on the task.

It did take Brain Orser some great efforts to trick Javi to stay put in one practice session at the beginning. I also think that Javi has been benefited from team rivalry a lot. Whilst Javi has been always very humble, he did have confidence issue in the past, which was partially attributed to his disappointing later half of Season 11-12. Having trained alongside with Hanyu, he finally realized that he had all the assets to be the top notch skaters and how hard he has to work to stay ahead of the game.

I never really thought about this issue regarding the work ethic of elite athletes before, probably due to the usual assumption that top athletes are always very driven and hardworking. But what you said makes a lot of sense. I've known students who are super smart but can't stay focused for 50 minutes.

I also recall either Brian or Tracy saying that unlike many other skaters, in the past Javi didn't really have that many people believing in him, and with people around him constantly encouraging and motivating him, he started to believe in himself.

Moving to Toronto to train was probably the best decision Javi could have made, and I'm very grateful for what training at the Cricket Club has done for Javi's career.

I remember his IMG agent asked around in twitter where to find good restaurants in Windsor serving Spanish cuisine, because someone would very much to have a taste of gourmet home dishes after the competition a/k/o celebrating his 1st GP victory

Lol it was really nice for his IMG agent to do this. Living far away from your home country REALLY makes you crave the food you grew up loving.

 

[honghe]

Photos of Javi with fellow SOI cast members Eric, Andrew and Kaitlyn, on their day off:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BFetXGHIHil/?taken-by=ericradford85 (love the sunglasses :luv17
https://www.instagram.com/p/BFfqaWpL9p6/?taken-by=apoje Dinner by sunset

 

[evergreen]

I never really thought about this issue regarding the work ethic of elite athletes before, probably due to the usual assumption that top athletes are always very driven and hardworking. But what you said makes a lot of sense. I've known students who are super smart but can't stay focused for 50 minutes.

Brian said that when he began working with Javi, the maximum he can pulled himself on the task was 10 minutes . In addition, he was used to Morozov's Russian training style and reluctant to do run-throughs; he disliked ballet classes and get bored very quickly; he was unwilling to practice elements such as spins. When David Wilson first met Javi, he looked like a pleasure skater than an athelete. Yet the result was amazing, after no more than 3 months of training at TCC (he was supposed to be there in July but was late, he showed up someday in August by himself, with no family or agent accompanied and a piece of luggage, Brian wanted to know why he was late for the training but did not ask him eventually, so he told himself may be because Javi is a Spaniard ), he beat two world champions in the short program in 2011 SC and won silver by short of 3 points.

Moving to Toronto to train was probably the best decision Javi could have made, and I'm very grateful for what training at the Cricket Club has done for Javi's career.

When comes to the turning points of his career, it appears Javi always make right decisions, he's got guts and his determination is what I admire the most. He just turned 17 when he was offered by Morozov to go to the States to train with him. He said yes right way before consulting anyone, even though he did not speak English and had to go to thousands miles away from home by himself. At that time, he was thinking about quitting figure skating and go to play hockey instead.

His lay back style did not effect his decision to leave Morozov either, even though he always appreciates Morozov for discovering him and training him for free at the beginning.

Lol it was really nice for his IMG agent to do this. Living far away from your home country REALLY makes you crave the food you grew up loving.

Yes, he was very devoting to his skaters, who also include Michal Březina, Ashley Wagner, others.

 

[evergreen]

I also recall either Brian or Tracy saying that unlike many other skaters, in the past Javi didn't really have that many people believing in him, and with people around him constantly encouraging and motivating him, he started to believe in himself.

Whilst Spanish theme is very popular in figure skating, before the rising of Javi, the skating world & fans have never expected a top skater from Spain, especially in the most demanding discipline. Even after Javi has made his name, many thought Javi is a second Philippe Candeloro, entertaining but not a lethal competitor material. Many thought his world title at 2015 was a fluke. Few predicted that Javi would defend his world title. It was not until the 2016 worlds that Javi demonstrated his competitiveness hidden deeply inside. Hanyu had never considered Javi as his rival until he discovered Javi added a 2nd quad in his short program. I bet his emotion was totally different when he was watching Javi's performance in green room at Boston than in Shanghai.

It would be very interesting for skating fans the next 2 seasons leading 2018 Olympics. The competition of the Men's event has never been so fierce ever since Yagudin-Plushenko era.

 

[honghe]

Yet the result was amazing, after no more than 3 months of training at TCC (he was supposed to be there in July but was late, he showed up someday in August by himself, with no family or agent accompanied and a piece of luggage, Brian wanted to know why he was late for the training but did not ask him eventually, so he told himself may be because Javi is a Spaniard ), he beat two world champions in the short program in 2011 SC and won silver by short of 3 points.

His short program that season was so charming and he seemed to have a lot of fun at SC. The crowd really adored him. :luv17:

Javi for sure has guts. I also think despite his laid-backness, deep inside he must have tons of love for the sport.

many thought Javi is a second Philippe Candeloro, entertaining but not a lethal competitor material.

Candeloro won two Olympic medals IIRC. A lot of other skaters don't have that

In the TSL interview Tracy Wilson mentioned that Javi's work ethic started to change big time last year. Although what happened with Javi at the Olympics in 2014 was a pity, in a way I sometimes wonder whether in the long run not getting a medal at that year's Olympics might become something he could eventually benefit from. I guess all things happen for a reason.

 

[evergreen]

His short program that season was so charming and he seemed to have a lot of fun at SC. The crowd really adored him. :luv17:

I was there and couldn't believe it was the same skater I had followed for the past 3 years. The first time I noted him was 2008 worlds, where he did not even qualify for the long program, but I somehow like the flair & strength he displayed, resembling Yagudin whose skating I love the most. It was interesting to learn that Morozov also thinks Javi resembles Yag, although a 17-year-old Yagudin had already won worlds' bronze medal. Many said that Javi is a late bloomer, but he simply did not have the chance to grow up in an environment with strong figure-skating tradition.

Javi for sure has guts. I also think despite his laid-backness, deep inside he must have tons of love for the sport.

Of course, the love of the sports has made him today. He has decided to be a figure skating coach at the very young age, because he wants to live on ice forever. He came to the U.S. alone at the age of 17 to train with a Russian coach, he lived like a gypsy by following Morozov around the world, 2 months in Russia, 2 months in Italy, 2 months in Lativa; when earthquake hit Japan on 11st March 2011, Morozov's group of students including Javi were training in Japan. Finally, he came back to North America and settles in Toronto, again far away from his family and has to experience long & cold winters there. He did not give up the sports when he failed to qualify for FS at his 1st & 2nd worlds. I cannot recall someone else other than Javi ultimately makes to the top of the podium of the worlds all the way from the bottom, let alone winning a back-to-back world title despite his main competitor being at the peek of his game.

Candeloro won two Olympic medals IIRC. A lot of other skaters don't have that

People tend to overlook bronze medalists especially when they have never won major title. Canderloro is a two-time Olympic/Worlds/European medalists, but other than French nationals, he is short of major ISU title. I likes Canderloro, but don't think Javi's style is the same as Canderloro's, at least he does not do strip dancing on ice Javi's charming presence on ice is very natural in an unique way, I would rather call it a male version of Katarina Witt.

In the TSL interview Tracy Wilson mentioned that Javi's work ethic started to change big time last year. Although what happened with Javi at the Olympics in 2014 was a pity, in a way I sometimes wonder whether in the long run not getting a medal at that year's Olympics might become something he could eventually benefit from.

ITA, had Javi won Bronze in 2014, I doubt he has the motivation to keep on working to become a skater like today. With or without an Olympic Medal, one cannot deny his status as a legendary figure skater and one of the greatest athletes in Spain.

 

[Jaana]

Javi's charming presence on ice is very natural in an unique way, I would rather call it a male version of Katarina Witt.

I think Javi is so natural in everything, because he´s just being himself, not trying to be some other type of person on the ice. That´s why everything feels so natural and right in his programs.

Ít is great that Javi is working so hard these days, the first world title giving him a push, some other type of person might just have rested on his laurels.... Second world title may give him even a harder push, LOL.

 

[cathlen]

All that talk about Javi lazy days is making me like him even more

 

[evergreen]

I think Javi is so natural in everything, because he´s just being himself, not trying to be some other type of person on the ice. That´s why everything feels so natural and right in his programs.

Ít is great that Javi is working so hard these days, the first world title giving him a push, some other type of person might just have rested on his laurels.... Second world title may give him even a harder push, LOL.

I cannot agree more. Pray that he stays healthy in light of the crazy jumping contest nowadays. At the age of 25, Javi said he is a "grandpa" among the young skaters. Thanks to these old lazy days he did not over use his body, thinking about statistically Javi is the most consistent quad jumper in the current competitive field, but as per his own words, he usually does 4 quad jumps each session, 2 Quad toes & 2 Quad sals, while Hanyu constantly pulls out 40 Quad toes/40 Quad Sal per session according to Nam.

Hanyu is very likely upgrade the technical content for his FS next season, adding the 4th Quad in the 2nd half of the program. Let's see how Javi would respond to the challenge, although he said in the canon interview that he would keep the current layout of his free skate next season. Pchiddy has already declared that the best he could do is 3 quad jumps & 2 Axels for his LP.

Up until this past season, Javi is the only male skater who has had a 3 quads FS for 4 competitive seasons consecutively. To be able to pull out a 3-quad program in a long run is so physically & technically demanding, let alone in a program full of transitions, complex footwork & spins. To execute 5 or 6 quads in a competition means that the skaters have to train much more quad jumps on a regular basis and exercise more demanding run-throughs, which definitely take a toll on their bodies.

 

[evergreen]

All that talk about Javi lazy days is making me like him even more

I like the lazy him in the old days as well as more diligent Javi. I could not help thinking a few years ago what if Javi becomes a hard worker what accomplishment he could have achieved. I guess that I have most of the answer. , though I do think that he still has some great potential to be realized.

 

[xibsuarz]

Hanyu had never considered Javi as his rival until he discovered Javi added a 2nd quad in his short program. I bet his emotion was totally different when he was watching Javi's performance in green room at Boston than in Shanghai.

I think Yuzuru has considered Javier as his rival even before that, I read an interview of Javi, I think it took place around the GP series, where he got asked if something had changed with how they got along after he won Worlds. And he said that the only thing that had changed was that they both go into competitions with the mentality of specifically beating each other.

From that interview of Yuzuru about his reaction when he found out Javi had a second quad, I understood it as him not thinking about Javier as a training partner first and a rival second, but the other way around (at least at that moment outside of competition because both of them obviously see each other as rivals first when they compete). And he said he has always admired Javier, after all, one of the reasons Yuzuru had for moving to Toronto was that he wanted to have the stability on the quads that Javi had/has :yes:

I cannot agree more. Pray that he stays healthy in light of the crazy jumping contest nowadays. At the age of 25, Javi said he is a "grandpa" among the young skaters. Thanks to these old lazy days he did not over use his body, thinking about statistically Javi is the most consistent quad jumper in the current competitive field, but as per his own words, he usually does 4 quad jumps each session, 2 Quad toes & 2 Quad sals, while Hanyu constantly pulls out 40 Quad toes/40 Quad Sal per session according to Nam.

Hanyu is very likely upgrade the technical content for his FS next season, adding the 4th Quad in the 2nd half of the program. Let's see how Javi would respond to the challenge, although he said in the canon interview that he would keep the current layout of his free skate next season. Pchiddy has already declared that the best he could do is 3 quad jumps & 2 Axels for his LP.

Up until this past season, Javi is the only male skater who has had a 3 quads FS for 4 competitive seasons consecutively. To be able to pull out a 3-quad program in a long run is so physically & technically demanding, let alone in a program full of transitions, complex footwork & spins. To execute 5 or 6 quads in a competition means that the skaters have to train much more quad jumps on a regular basis and exercise more demanding run-throughs, which definitely take a toll on their bodies.

You know, I've been very curious to see how/if Javi will upgrade his technical content next season. Shoma will have the 4F, Yuzuru will almost certainly add the 4Lo, Patrick and Denis are working on the 4S, there is, of course Boyang with his 4Lz, and Nathan Will also be in seniors as well next year and he does 4 quads. Idk if Daniel is also thinking about moving up but he also has 4 quads. The field will be very deep.

Javi can land the 4Lo, but he has said that the hardest fall he's ever taken was going for a 4Lo, so idk how likely it would be for him to add it. Last season, he said he didn't want to go for a 4 quad FS because he thought it would take away too much from the program. But he is pretty much maxed out otherwise Perhaps he could shuffle his jumps around to move the ones with the highest BV to the second half.

But if he decides to add a 4th quad, I think he will pull it off. :agree: he has the endurance and ability to do it. And I think he can do it without taking away too much from the program.

 

[cathlen]

Idk if Daniel is also thinking about moving up but he also has 4 quads. The field will be very deep.

Daniel will go fully senior next year for sure as he is 18 years old already and doesn't have any choice The field will definitely be very deep. There is also possibility that Mikhail Kolyada will add 4S to his programs, so there will be a lot of guys with at least 2 quads or more.

 

[evergreen]

I think Yuzuru has considered Javier as his rival even before that, I read an interview of Javi, I think it took place around the GP series, where he got asked if something had changed with how they got along after he won Worlds. And he said that the only thing that had changed was that they both go into competitions with the mentality of specifically beating each other.

From that interview of Yuzuru about his reaction when he found out Javi had a second quad, I understood it as him not thinking about Javier as a training partner first and a rival second, but the other way around (at least at that moment outside of competition because both of them obviously see each other as rivals first when they compete). And he said he has always admired Javier, after all, one of the reasons Yuzuru had for moving to Toronto was that he wanted to have the stability on the quads that Javi had/has :yes: .

You may be right but I think that Hanyu would take the rivalry with Javi more seriously after the 2016 worlds.

You know, I've been very curious to see how/if Javi will upgrade his technical content next season. Shoma will have the 4F, Yuzuru will almost certainly add the 4Lo, Patrick and Denis are working on the 4S, there is, of course Boyang with his 4Lz, and Nathan Will also be in seniors as well next year and he does 4 quads. Idk if Daniel is also thinking about moving up but he also has 4 quads. The field will be very deep.

Javi can land the 4Lo, but he has said that the hardest fall he's ever taken was going for a 4Lo, so idk how likely it would be for him to add it. Last season, he said he didn't want to go for a 4 quad FS because he thought it would take away too much from the program. But he is pretty much maxed out otherwise Perhaps he could shuffle his jumps around to move the ones with the highest BV to the second half.

But if he decides to add a 4th quad, I think he will pull it off. :agree: he has the endurance and ability to do it. And I think he can do it without taking away too much from the program.

Don't forget Mikhail Kolyada, he has a quad sal in practice and has been training quad lutz. If he can add one more quad in both SP & FS, he would be a medal contender as well since he has a complete package.

Daniel Samohin is another promising teenage, so far as till now, he has been healthy and very competitive. If his placement is higher than his countrymen Oleksii Bychenko in 2017 Euros, he is very likely to be the one representing Israel in the worlds.

I cannot wait to see how Javi would respond to the jumping contest Nevertheless, whiles it is relatively easy to upgrade the technical contents on paper, it was way much harder to execute multiple quads in competitions throughout the season, the training itself is so mentally & physically demanding. I like Shoma's basic skating and presence on ice, but his jumping technique is sort of scary and the way he wraps his free legs in jumps is so prone to injury. Both Denis & Nathen have being battled with injury during the past season, their injury may be not necessary quad-related, but training for extra quad programs would definitely subject themselves to more risks of getting injured.

As to Patrick, despite being the oldest among the top male skaters, he is physically strong & technically sound. I do think that he is more likely to pull off a 3 quad & 2 3 Axels FS successfully. Speaking of the basic skating skill, he is still the best in the field. The problem is the 3A-his nemesis jump. The 3 quads would definitely absorb at least half of his energy, I will keep my eyes open on whether he can land his 2 3 Axels when it counts, I still have a hard time to understand how could he had problem to execute a 2-axel in Sochi.

Speaking of Hanyu, he can remain focused most of time during competitions and he has technical ability to execute a 3-4 quads FS, but his body does not respond to the demanding training accordingly.

Brian had contemplated adding a 4 Loop in Javi's FS for some seasons but it never took place. Some even doubt Javi's ability to master a 3-quad FS. I have confidence in Javi that he is capable to add an additional quad in the second half with some training so long as his program being constructed properly. But he and his team need to manage his body & physical condition smartly. The most important for Javi is to stay health while keeping the momentum towards 2018 Olympics.

 

[honghe]

SOI cast in Kelowna: https://www.instagram.com/p/BFhRYBTny-6/?taken-by=mhjd_85
Javi and Eric: https://www.instagram.com/p/BFhePBeDi4m/?taken-by=javierfernandezskater

 

[honghe]

In honor of the discussion about Javi's lazy days, can we take a moment to remember this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_TdR4QxGxo
I didn't realize that the song choice was probably very appropriate for him

 

[evergreen]

In honor of the discussion about Javi's lazy days, can we take a moment to remember this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_TdR4QxGxo
I didn't realize that the song choice was probably very appropriate for him

That was so appropriate to define Javi's old training days

I was very curious what happened at 2015 Euros that made Javi to adopt more diligent work regime. :whack:

 

[honghe]

That was so appropriate to define Javi's old training days

I was very curious what happened at 2015 Euros that made Javi to adopt more diligent work regime. :whack:

I don't know... Maybe that long wait in the green room was kind of a wake up call?
He didn't have the best kind of season that year. First people were nervous whether he'd make it to the GPF in Barcelona after he came second at Skate Canada, then he seriously choked during his SP at the GPF (I think you'd have to go back to his first season with Brian to find a SP score as low as this one at an international competition), then came the Euros...

 

[evergreen]

I don't know... Maybe that long wait in the green room was kind of a wake up call?
He didn't have the best kind of season that year. First people were nervous whether he'd make it to the GPF in Barcelona after he came second at Skate Canada, then he seriously choked during his SP at the GPF (I think you'd have to go back to his first season with Brian to find a SP score as low as this one at an international competition), then came the Euros...

Could be , he looks extremely uncomfortable there, not until Kovtun came in and made fun of him. Then he returned to his old self again at the medal ceremony, bull fighting with his old teammates Kovtun & Voronov, there was a time they were all trained by Morozov. Seeing these three former teammates on the podium, I was wondering what Morozov felt at that moment :noshake:

But the men's event at 15' Euro was one of the worse & lackluster competitions I have ever watched alive, almost everyone came out of game exhausted.

Speaking of Morozov, he somehow likes a treasure hunter, always looking for natural talent

 

[honghe]

Could be , he looks extremely uncomfortable there, not until Kovtun came in and made fun of him. Then he returned to his old self again at the medal ceremony, bull fighting with his old teammates Kovtun & Voronov, there was a time they were all trained by Morozov.

But the men's event at 15' Euro was one of the worse & lackluster competitions I have ever watched alive, almost everyone came out of game exhausted.

I remember Kovtun making fun of Javi. It was a cute moment
I thought Kovtun was with Morozov after Javi moved to Canada? But I could be wrong.