Javier Fernandez

[evergreen]

Generally speaking I am not superstitious, and I think most skaters don't have the option to skip the pre Olympic Worlds or to deliberately "avoid" the gold there... so whatever happens, happens

I am not superstitious too, although a lot of skaters are, I think that being athletes they always thrive for the best in competitions.

I do wonder how many men Spain will send to Worlds 2017, though. I think they are allowed to send 2? If they send only 1, I wonder if there might be extra pressure on Javi to be in the top 2 to get 3 spots for the Olympics in 2018

I doubt the pressure to earn spots for the Olympics for Spain would be greater than coming in the competition as the defending world champion two times in a row, the last time when Patrick competed at his home soil as double world champion had a controversial victory, and Yagudin won his 3rd title despite of his subpar free skate performance, simply because of the melt down of his main competitor.

I think that Javi is one of the most unassumings champion I have ever seen in the skating world. He is fully aware of that the competition in the men's field is becoming much more fierce and he is expecting that Yuzuru will definitely come back stronger next season to regain his title. He told some Japanese journalist that he was surprised at the rising of Jin Boyang in the past season; perhaps there would be more young up and comers in the next season to challenge the top; he felt for Shuma when he dropped tears in Kiss & Cry at the worlds; he wanted to speak to him after the competition but did not get a chance. But he thought Shuma has great talent and huge potential, so long as he keeps on practicing, he would be at the top of the podium in near future.

 

[evergreen]

I think Spain was allowed to send 3 to Worlds 2016 but Felipe didn't go? Was it because he didn't get the minimum?

That is correct, being the only skater representing Spain at Worlds 2015, Javi earned 3 spots for Spain for the next worlds when he won the title. Spain can only send Javier Raya to compete at Worlds 2016 with Javi, because Felipe did not meet the minimum TES requirement. Raya failed to qualify for the free skate at Worlds 2016, his placement points of 18 plus Javi's 1st finish get two spots for Spain for Worlds 2017.

 

[xibsuarz]

I think Spain was allowed to send 3 to Worlds 2016 but Felipe didn't go? Was it because he didn't get the minimum?

Yeah, Felipe was short of the minimum TES

 

[evergreen]

This is too adorable :agree2:
https://instagram.com/p/BGHNhD3F_G9/

These two are so cute together, but come on Javi, do you have anything else to have fun with Himawari other than playing video game? :noshake:

 

[honghe]

I think that Javi is one of the most unassumings champion I have ever seen in the skating world. He is fully aware of that the competition in the men's field is becoming much more fierce and he is expecting that Yuzuru will definitely come back stronger next season to regain his title. He told some Japanese journalist that he was surprised at the rising of Jin Boyang in the past season; perhaps there would be more young up and comers in the next season to challenge the top; he felt for Shuma when he dropped tears in Kiss & Cry at the worlds; he wanted to speak to him after the competition but did not get a chance. But he thought Shuma has great talent and huge potential, so long as he keeps on practicing, he would be at the top of the podium in near future.

I like Javi's attitude a lot. His unassuming character probably explains why he is always gracious regardless of whether he wins or loses at a certain competition. Part of it might be that he didn't start with a lot of fanfare around him, and he had to make it to the top all the way from the bottom, so he's probably already seen things from various perspectives.

That is correct, being the only skater representing Spain at Worlds 2015, Javi earned 3 spots for Spain for the next worlds when he won the title. Spain can only send Javier Raya to compete at Worlds 2016 with Javi, because Felipe did not meet the minimum TES requirement. Raya failed to qualify for the free skate at Worlds 2016, his placement points of 18 plus Javi's 1st finish get two spots for Spain for Worlds 2017.

Yeah, Felipe was short of the minimum TES

Thanks for the explanation! I thought Felipe was at Euros because he placed higher at Spanish Nationals, but then I got confused when I realized Javier R was at Worlds but Felipe was not.

 

[evergreen]

I like Javi's attitude a lot. His unassuming character probably explains why he is always gracious regardless of whether he wins or loses at a certain competition. Part of it might be that he didn't start with a lot of fanfare around him, and he had to make it to the top all the way from the bottom, so he's probably already seen things from various perspectives.

Looking back to his first world in 2007, when he was a tiny, little & unsecured kid, all the male competitors have retried since then, except Javi and his dear Russian friend Sergei Voronov. IIRC, this was Sergei's debut at the worlds too. Javi has climbed slowly but steadily all the way from the bottom but never drop his placement at the worlds' competition for the past 10 years.

Thanks for the explanation! I thought Felipe was at Euros because he placed higher at Spanish Nationals, but then I got confused when I realized Javier R was at Worlds but Felipe was not.

You are very welcome

The minimum TES requirement for Euros was lower than the worlds', as such, Felipe was able to compete at Euros' 16.

 

[Jaana]

The Canadian male skaters as reigning World champions = Orser, Browning, Stojko and Chan at least all lost the gold and Browning did not medal at all. I´m not sure about Orser, Stojko and Chan but at least Browning was the flag bearer.

Plushenko was the reigning World champion and Yagudin won the gold medal in SLC. Actually I have some vague recollection about Yagudin being glad about not winning the gold at 2001 Worlds and mentioning the curse, LOL.

Personally I´m not superstitious, but bad omens are to be avoided if possible. And as I mentioned in my earlier posting, the American male skaters ALL have won the gold medal at the Olympics as the reigning World champions. Lysacek was the last so far.

But of course if Javi is the only Spanish participant at Winter Olympics, there is much choice.... Also I believe that in coming Olympics Javi will be different = stronger comparing to previous Olympics.

 

[tzazu]

They are not aired yet, here is the TV schedule/Channel: BS-Asahi:

■Fantasy on Ice 2016 Makuhari - 21:00 ～ 23:00, June 5th 2016

■Fantasy on Ice 2016 Kobe　- 15: 00 ～ 18:00, June 18th 2016

■Fantasy on Ice 2016 Nagano - 13:00 ～ 15:54, July 9th 2016


■Fantasy on Ice 2016 Sapporo - Channel UHB, 13:30 ～ 15:00, June 5th 2016

Thank you so much!

 

[tzazu]

Javi and Miki :luv17:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BGAmHNtF_Om/?taken-by=miki_m_ando0403&hl=es

 

[honghe]

Anyone know when Javier got this tattoo on the leg?
https://www.instagram.com/p/BGAwWFul_F1/

He and his Spanish teammate Sonia Lafuente both got one when they were 17 years old.
(Thanks to evergreen for the info about their tattoos!)

 

[honghe]

Looking back to his first world in 2007, when he was a tiny, little & unsecured kid, all the male competitors have retried since then, except Javi and his dear Russian friend Sergei Voronov. IIRC, this was Sergei's debut at the worlds too. Javi has climbed slowly but steadily all the way from the bottom but never drop his placement at the worlds' competition for the past 10 years.

I think Sergei at least made it to the FS at his first Worlds? I have to admit that I remember Sergei from the time when he's still with Urmanov, but had little to no impression of Javi until Pirates of the Caribbeans.

Javi didn't qualify for FS for his first two Worlds. I bet at that time no one even dreamed about him being on the podium.

Javi and Miki :luv17:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BGAmHNtF_Om/?taken-by=miki_m_ando0403&hl=es

I wonder whether they will skate together again someday. (I think they did a program together once but we don't have any video of it.)

 

[evergreen]

I think Sergei at least made it to the FS at his first Worlds? I have to admit that I remember Sergei from the time when he's still with Urmanov, but had little to no impression of Javi until Pirates of the Caribbeans.

Javi didn't qualify for FS for his first two Worlds. I bet at that time no one even dreamed about him being on the podium.

Yes, Sergei qualified for the free skate and placed 19th as the final result, since his countryman Andrei Lutai finished 20th, Russia only had 1 spot for 2008 worlds. I noticed Sergei simply because of his coach back then, as I liked Urmanov's style on ice and wasn't he the most handsome "prince on ice" at his prime time?

As I previously mentioned, I discovered Javi, the cutest Spaniard in the skating world at Worlds 2008', his stroking, jumps and spins somehow resembled Yagudin at the age of 16, but I had to say he had terrible posture and he moved his arms mechanically, although he did feel the music in a natural way and he had strong legs & soft knees. I did go back to check the results of his junior competitions, which was lackluster, the best result of his junior competition was 4th at 2007 European Youth Olympic Winter Festival hold in Jaca, Spain. Among the other three young skaters finished ahead of him, only Alexander Majorov is still competing.

I wonder whether they will skate together again someday. (I think they did a program together once but we don't have any video of it.)

I just got the ticket for FaOI Nagano and I wish to see them perform Magdalena together, or at least back-to-back. :luv17: Yes, I usually prefer to spend time & money in competitions, but I cannot resist seeing four of my all time favorites male skaters in one show, namely, Ilia, Stephen, Jeffery & Javi :luv17:

 

[xibsuarz]

I just got the ticket for FaOI Nagano and I wish to see them perform Magdalena together, or at least back-to-back. :luv17: Yes, I usually prefer to spend time & money in competitions, but I cannot resist seeing four of my all time favorites male skaters in one show, namely, Ilia, Stephen, Jeffery & Javi :luv17:

Have fun at FaOI, evergreen! I hope you have a nice time and enjoy all those wonderful skaters and their performances :yes:

 

[evergreen]

Have fun at FaOI, evergreen! I hope you have a nice time and enjoy all those wonderful skaters and their performances :yes:

Thank you, xibsuarz, I am sure I will

I am wondering how those regular foreign skaters spend their time in between the FaOI shows during this month, such as Jeff & Johnny, etc. are they flying cross-pacific back and forth?:sarcasm:

 

[LRK]

Thank you, xibsuarz, I am sure I will

I am wondering how those regular foreign skaters spend their time in between the FaOI shows during this month, such as Jeff & Johnny, etc. are they flying cross-pacific back and forth?:sarcasm:

Johnny seems to be spending lots of his free time with Ksenia Stolbova - I don't think he tends to fly back & forth, judging by other years either.

 

[evergreen]

Johnny seems to be spending lots of his free time with Ksenia Stolbova - I don't think he tends to fly back & forth, judging by other years either.

Thank you, LRK, glad he is not fully booked in the summer and Japan is such a great place to get around with his besties

 

[honghe]

I did go back to check the results of his junior competitions, which was lackluster, the best result of his junior competition was 4th at 2007 European Youth Olympic Winter Festival hold in Jaca, Spain. Among the other three young skaters finished ahead of him, only Alexander Majorov is still competing.

So Javi never medaled at anything internationally as a junior... He's such a late bloomer.

I wonder, since you started following his career in 2008, have you ever found him in those early years frustrating? He caught my attention with Pirates of the Caribbeans but even then I decided to stay away for the sake of my own sanity. And as late as 2013 I was still not regretting my decision, although I eventually surrendered lol.

I just got the ticket for FaOI Nagano and I wish to see them perform Magdalena together, or at least back-to-back. :luv17: Yes, I usually prefer to spend time & money in competitions, but I cannot resist seeing four of my all time favorites male skaters in one show, namely, Ilia, Stephen, Jeffery & Javi :luv17:

We seem to have similar favorites as far as male skaters are concerned! :luv17:
Have fun at FaOI!

 

[evergreen]

So Javi never medaled at anything internationally as a junior... He's such a late bloomer.

I wonder, since you started following his career in 2008, have you ever found him in those early years frustrating? He caught my attention with Pirates of the Caribbeans but even then I decided to stay away for the sake of my own sanity. And as late as 2013 I was still not regretting my decision, although I eventually surrendered lol. !

IIRC, his first medal of an international competition is the silver of 2011 SC, though I did not count in senior B events.

Not in his very early years, since I know how hard it must be for a skater from a small skating federation to make his place in the skating world.

When he was with Morozov, to be honest, I was more frustrated with the coaching situation than Javi's own doing. Whilst it was true that he had improved a lot under Morozov's guidance, I did not think that the latter was the right coach for Javi, it became more so in the season 2010-11. I was sort of furious when Morozov dressed Javi in that horrible SP costume , even though the huge pink bow tie shrank a little bit in the second half of the season ; plus the program itself was so ridiculously insane. It appears that Javi did not properly train in that season and he often got injured due to lack of systematically training. Thankfully, Javi was smart enough to make a right decision to leave Morozov.

Nonetheless, I have to admit that I did sometime get frustrated at Javi's performances after he joined Brian Orser's team until the last season, especially the popping of easier 3 jumps due to lost of focus at competitions or being hold back by his lay-back style/attitude; however, I "forgave" him right way when I saw him got so upset at his poor performances in Kiss & Cry area.


So I am curious when did you finally "surrendered"

We seem to have similar favorites as far as male skaters are concerned! :luv17:

Yep, we do indeed:2thumbs:; we may have more similar favorite skaters in other disciplines

 

[Jaana]

I noticed Javi at the time the thread "Free Fernandez" was started on the FSUniverse forum ...., and felt happy as he started to train with Orser. About his achievements I have to admit that I expected him to win the Europeans a year earlier than he actually did.

Evergreen, have fun at the Nagano FaOI show!

 

[evergreen]

I noticed Javi at the time the thread "Free Fernandez" was started on the FSUniverse forum ...., and felt happy as he started to train with Orser. About his achievements I have to admit that I expected him to win the Europeans a year earlier than he actually did.

Yes, some fans even hung a "Free Fernandez" banner in the arena when Javi competed in one Grand Prix competition

Many expected Javi to win the 2012' Euros and medal at the worlds in the same year, but he was overwhelmed by his own breakthrough and failed to deliver at both competitions. After his disappointing later season of 11-12, Javi finally agreed to do more run-throughs in the following season.

Brian said that it usually take his students two seasons to start showing the result, but in Javi's case, it is a 5-year making.

Evergreen, have fun at the Nagano FaOI show!

Thank you so much