Javier Fernandez

[honghe]

So I am curious when did you finally "surrendered"

I almost surrendered when he won his first Euros. Then came Worlds where he popped a couple of jumps in quite spectacular fashion, but that program was so charming that I was ready to forgive him... until he had fun at K & C by putting a stuffed animal on David Wilson's head. I am not a very competitive person by natural so it's very rare for me to see a skater goof around while I was still in the "it's a pity he didn't do better" mood. I guess I simply did not get him, and kind of interpreted it as "maybe he does not care that much" & "can he ever be consistent given this attitude?"

Well long story short, Black Betty blew me out of the water I honestly thought no one else could have sold a program like this better than Javi. That said, I think I only became a committed fan this past season.

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

I guess we do have other similar favorites although running a complete list of my favs would probably be thread hijacking, I guess. So I'll just mention my first love (not the ones I love the most, just the first ones that had my heart) from each of the other disciplines: Chen Lu (who was my introduction to figure skating. I was maybe 5 or 6 and couldn't tell any of the jumps apart lol but I loved her. And for a while I only watched the ladies), Pang Qing/Tong Jian, Dubreuil/Lauzon

 

[honghe]

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

:eeking:

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.

It's an interesting way to look at it, as Javi have had some success since as early as the GP events in 2011. I guess they (or at least his coaches) believed that he could eventually achieve more than just medals at GP and GPF. And indeed Javi has been improving every year.
I am still amazed by the patience of Brian. It must not be easy to deal with a student like Javi.

 

[evergreen]

I almost surrendered when he won his first Euros. Then came Worlds where he popped a couple of jumps in quite spectacular fashion, but that program was so charming that I was ready to forgive him... until he had fun at K & C by putting a stuffed animal on David Wilson's head. I am not a very competitive person by natural so it's very rare for me to see a skater goof around while I was still in the "it's a pity he didn't do better" mood. I guess I simply did not get him, and kind of interpreted it as "maybe he does not care that much" & "can he ever be consistent given this attitude?"

I can totally get you; it was disappointing to see a talented skater like Javi being sort of content with his subpar performance, while we skating fans set high expectation on him and thought he could have done better.

Looking back to 2012-13 season, Javi said in the cannon interview that he had peaked at Euros; he had to reduce substantial training heading to the worlds due to fatigue. Skaters are prone to injury when they are tired/exhausted and Team Brian did not want him get injured before the most important competition of the season.

Hence, I thought he may feel kind of relieved at Kiss & Cry area that the season was finally over, after all he did his best he could.

Well long story short, Black Betty blew me out of the water I honestly thought no one else could have sold a program like this better than Javi. That said, I think I only became a committed fan this past season.

Black Betty is such a eye-catcher program

I guess we do have other similar favorites although running a complete list of my favs would probably be thread hijacking, I guess. So I'll just mention my first love (not the ones I love the most, just the first ones that had my heart) from each of the other disciplines: Chen Lu (who was my introduction to figure skating. I was maybe 5 or 6 and couldn't tell any of the jumps apart lol but I loved her. And for a while I only watched the ladies), Pang Qing/Tong Jian, Dubreuil/Lauzon

Bingo, they are my favorite skaters in each discipline although the ladies' is my least favorite discipline, Chen Lu is on the top of my fav list and I consider her as one of the most artistic skaters of all time, if not the best, and my favorite SP & FS of ladies are her Spring Breeze and Rach No. 2

 

[evergreen]

It's an interesting way to look at it, as Javi have had some success since as early as the GP events in 2011. I guess they (or at least his coaches) believed that he could eventually achieve more than just medals at GP and GPF. And indeed Javi has been improving every year.
I am still amazed by the patience of Brian. It must not be easy to deal with a student like Javi.

Brian always beleives Javi can medal at the worlds and the Olympics; but he could not set the goal for him unless he believe in himself. Brian admitted later it was tough to coach Javi in the first season, dealing with his bad habits, lazy, late and undisciplined, yet he has never stopped believing in Javi.

 

[honghe]

Hence, I thought he may feel kind of relieved at Kiss & Cry area that the season was finally over, after all he did his best he could.

Yes, that makes sense. And eventually he did get his first Worlds medal that year, so it wasn't really a bad competition.

Black Betty is such a eye-catcher program

It is! Can't take my eyes off him whenever I see this program (well except the performance at GPF... poor Javi). And it also doesn't hurt that Javi looks sooooo good in that costume. (Thanks Brian!)

Bingo, they are my favorite skaters in each discipline although the ladies' is my least favorite discipline, Chen Lu is on the top of my fav list and I consider her as one of the most artistic skaters of all time, if not the best, and my favorite SP & FS of ladies are her Spring Breeze and Rach No. 2

Awwwwww:luv17:
I guess I don't really have a least favorite discipline, but I was much slower to "get" ice dance. I enjoyed watching it but it took me quite some time to have an idea about what's going on lol.

Brian always beleives Javi can medal at the worlds and the Olympics; but he could not set the goal for him unless he believe in himself. Brian admitted later it was tough to coach Javi in the first season, dealing with his bad habits, lazy, late and undisciplined, yet he has never stopped believing in Javi.

I can't really blame Javi for not setting high goals for himself, as he definitely did not grow up thinking he could medal at Worlds. He's lucky to have people who really believe in him.
Still, it must be a great challenge for Team Brian back then. If I got frustrated just watching Javi a couple of times per season, I could only imagine what it must be like for them to have to watch him everyday lol.

 

[honghe]

Tomas, Miki, and Javi: https://www.instagram.com/p/BGOj8e9l_MQ/

 

[evergreen]

He's lucky to have people who really believe in him.
Still, it must be a great challenge for Team Brian back then. If I got frustrated just watching Javi a couple of times per season, I could only imagine what it must be like for them to have to watch him everyday lol.

I think that being a legendary skater himself, Brian knows very well one cannot be perfect ever time; what bothered him the most at the beginning were Javi's bad habits, for instance, Javi's constant absence of morning practices; Brian simply could not comprehend how Javi could sleep for a whole day, as he recalled he used to be on ice practicing at 5:30 am every morning during his own competitive career. Tracy Wilson did help him to get over it, since she has two teenage sons and she knew more than Brian about parenting/coaching teenage boys. Hence, Tracy and Brian figured out how to trick Javi into training, how to get him in the rink on time and let him enjoy the process. Javi is very lucky to end up in TCC and have Brian & Tracy as his coaches, who did not give up him, despite his poor work ethic. Of course, the bottom line is Javi's good kid and very communicable & likable person.

 

[honghe]

Hadn't Javi turned 20 when he moved to Toronto? So he wasn't exactly a teenager. But I would not be surprised if he had some habits which were like those of a teenager.

I don't usually think of coaching as comparable to parenting, but I guess in many ways it probably is.

Of course, the bottom line is Javi's good kid and very communicable & likable person.

Yes, he is lucky that he is a likable human being otherwise it would probably be more difficult for coaches to put up with him
I even wonder if he'd be able to get away with some stuff by being likable lol. I mean, it's probably hard to get too mad at him? It would be for me, at least.

BTW: tired Javi still looks cute: https://www.instagram.com/p/BGRDj14l_CU/

FaOI's next show is almost 2 weeks away, if I am not mistaken. So they can get some good rest.
I don't know whether Javi will try to get some choreography done during this time, or he will wait until later this summer.

 

[evergreen]

Hadn't Javi turned 20 when he moved to Toronto? So he wasn't exactly a teenager. But I would not be surprised if he had s7ome habits which were like those of a teenager.

Yes, Javi just turned 20 when he joined Team Brian in TCC, but I did not think he had grown up until the past season. Yuzuru mentioned in an interview that Javi and Nam Nguyen had always played a lot together in between the practices, but he seldom joined them. It seems that the 7-year age differences between these two weren't as much of a problem for them to mingle with each other.

I don't usually think of coaching as comparable to parenting, but I guess in many ways it probably is.

Some coach, such as Frank Carroll, certainly is a strict, business-like skating guru, but it does appear to me that the way Brain treats Javi cannot be simply defined as the coach-student relationship. For a certain period of time, Brain came to Javi's apartment every morning to wake him up and drive him to the rink; when Javi was sick, Brian not only brought medicine to him, he also checked upon him from time to time by phone on whether he took medicine, or ate properly, etc. He invited Javi to his condo several times and even took him to his summer cottage for weekends/holiday; did I mention in my previous post that Brian would prepare energy bar/nutrition shake for Javi if he looks sleepy coming to the morning practice? More importantly, Brian gives Javi a lot support to help him to build the skating in Spain. I can not imagine Frank Carroll or John Nicks would do the same. No wonder Javi calls Brian his Canadian dad, even Javi's own father described Brian as Javi's second father.

Yes, he is lucky that he is a likable human being otherwise it would probably be more difficult for coaches to put up with him
I even wonder if he'd be able to get away with some stuff by being likable lol. I mean, it's probably hard to get too mad at him? It would be for me, at least.

I guess it must be much tougher to tolerate Javi's bad habits on daily basis at the beginning, so far as till now, only Brian & Tracy have been able to put
up with him and figure out how to put him on the right track

 

[evergreen]

Fantasy on Ice 2016 Makuhari Part 1

Fantasy on Ice 2016 Makuhari Part 2

 

[honghe]

It seems that the 7-year age differences between these two weren't as much of a problem for them to mingle with each other.

Given Javi's personality I wouldn't be surprised if he fits right in among kids younger than him. One thing I like about him is that he seems very level headed, while at the same time does not lose the child-like love for fun, joyfulness, and playfulness.

Some coach, such as Frank Carroll, certainly is a strict, business-like skating guru, but it does appear to me that the way Brain treats Javi cannot be simply defined as the coach-student relationship.

I guess the stereotype is usually that a coach tends to tell you what to do and expect you to do it, while a parent may care about how you feel. But when I thought about it, I came to realize that there could also be a lot of psychology involved in coaching, too.

Still I didn't expect Brian to treat his skaters so well. I know he is one of the nicest persons and he really cares about his skaters, but I remember he said that after what happened with Yuna and Adam he could no longer let himself get too involved emotionally. This plus Javi being the guy who came shortly after Adam left made me not expecting much more than a formal coach-student relationship. I am very happy that they get along so well.
(And yes, you mentioned the enerny bar and nutrition shake. Javi is so lucky lol. Witg other coaches, if he arrives at practice still sleepy, he might get into trouble instead of getting breakfast )

Oh and thank you very much for the FaOI links!

 

[honghe]

Cuteness overload: https://www.instagram.com/p/BGS1mxgF_DQ/
Looks like Sunflower is pulling a suitcase that is probably bigger than her

 

[evergreen]

Given Javi's personality I wouldn't be surprised if he fits right in among kids younger than him. One thing I like about him is that he seems very level headed, while at the same time does not lose the child-like love for fun, joyfulness, and playfulness.

This may be the key reason why his performances are always refreshing, genuinely joyful and full of charm.

I guess the stereotype is usually that a coach tends to tell you what to do and expect you to do it, while a parent may care about how you feel. But when I thought about it, I came to realize that there could also be a lot of psychology involved in coaching, too.

I remember Frank Carroll once said that a coach not only offers on-pass knowledge on how to do a skill, more importantly, he teaches them the philosophy of being a competitor. I often find that for sports like figure skating, in addition to the technical stuff, a top notch coach is the one who can also provide for strong mental edge to his/her students, helping them deal with enormous competitive pressure.

but I remember he said that after what happened with Yuna and Adam he could no longer let himself get too involved emotionally. This plus Javi being the guy who came shortly after Adam left made me not expecting much more than a formal coach-student relationship. I am very happy that they get along so well..

I think that when Brian placed himself in a position like a surrogate parent to Yuna & Adam, he became emotionally vulnerable; and it was hard for him to trust any body in this sports after their controversial departure. He did repeatedly claim in various interviews that he could not let himself get emotionally involved. I believe he is serious about this, but doubt whether he could take this attitude of omniscient detachment like Frank Carroll has done throughout his career.

 

[xibsuarz]

Thanks evergreen for sharing the FaOI videos here. It was nice seeing Javi at the front during the opening
His interview after Malagueña was quite interesting. He wants that GPF gold (aside from revalidating his Euros and World title ) Perhaps, like this season, it will turn into a more competitive event than Worlds itself! The people who will go to Marseille will be very lucky, a shame about the seating mess, though.

 

[LRK]

@evergreen - OT but as we talked about it before, and I don't want to run around spreading false information (even inadvertently), just to say that I see that, since I believe there's a bigger gap than usual between Fantasy on Ice shows, Johnny is flying home for a week:

https://twitter.com/JohnnyGWeir/status/739663773800206336

 

[honghe]

Well remember when we discussed possible GP assignments for Javi this coming season? IIRC we all agreed that it's unlikely that he'll skip the GP events, and the reasons we came up with were keeping momentum, getting feedback on his programs, etc. For whatever reason none of us seemed to mention GPF . Well I guess now we know he is not planning to skip GP events, AND he wants to do better at GPF.
It's nice to have goals, etc., but Javi, please stay healthy and pace yourself well.

(Of course he'll have to qualify for GPF first. Not sure how his GP schedule would be this year. If he wants to continue to go to CoR, he'll probably do SA, which is very early.)

 

[evergreen]

Thanks evergreen for sharing the FaOI videos here. It was nice seeing Javi at the front during the opening
His interview after Malagueña was quite interesting. He wants that GPF gold (aside from revalidating his Euros and World title ) Perhaps, like this season, it will turn into a more competitive event than Worlds itself! The people who will go to Marseille will be very lucky, a shame about the seating mess, though.

You are very welcome, xibsuarz

I was very pleased that the show organizer paid due respect to the reigning worlds champion. The Sapporo show was aired by the local channel on the same day, but except some local news about the show & interview to Marin Honda, I have yet found any performance clips.

I have not made my mind to go to GPF in Marseille this year, mostly because of the annoying seat arrangement.

Since knowing Javi is a late season skater, it has never crossed my mind that he is likely to win a GPF title Wish him best of luck and stay healthy:luv17:

 

[evergreen]

@evergreen - OT but as we talked about it before, and I don't want to run around spreading false information (even inadvertently), just to say that I see that, since I believe there's a bigger gap than usual between Fantasy on Ice shows, Johnny is flying home for a week:

https://twitter.com/JohnnyGWeir/status/739663773800206336

Thank you so much, LRK, for the updates on Johnny. Yes, there is a 10-day gap for the next FaOI show and new cast of skaters will join the shows in Kobe and Nagano.

 

[evergreen]

Well remember when we discussed possible GP assignments for Javi this coming season? IIRC we all agreed that it's unlikely that he'll skip the GP events, and the reasons we came up with were keeping momentum, getting feedback on his programs, etc. For whatever reason none of us seemed to mention GPF . Well I guess now we know he is not planning to skip GP events, AND he wants to do better at GPF.
It's nice to have goals, etc., but Javi, please stay healthy and pace yourself well.

(Of course he'll have to qualify for GPF first. Not sure how his GP schedule would be this year. If he wants to continue to go to CoR, he'll probably do SA, which is very early.)

Javi spoke like a world champion and acted like a world champion the past season, but many did not take him serious and he was the most under-the-radar reigning world champion heading into the 2016 worlds. This might help to relieve him of some pressure, but things would be different for the next season. Yuzu, if he recovers well from his foot injury, will become stronger, and I have never counted Patrick out. The young skaters like Uno, are anxious to claim the top. I look forward to seeing how Denis would regroup himself.

I will withhold my speculations on which GP events Javi get, since we shall know about GP assignments by the end of this month.

BTW, honghe, how do you think Javi's Malagueña without goatee

 

[xibsuarz]

(Of course he'll have to qualify for GPF first. Not sure how his GP schedule would be this year. If he wants to continue to go to CoR, he'll probably do SA, which is very early.)

I don't think Javi should really worry about not qualifying for the GPF Few skaters have similar or harder programs and even fewer have that AND PCS that can match his. At worst he might finish with two silvers, but I think (hope) he'll win both of his events again this year :yes:

I was very pleased that the show organizer paid due respect to the reigning worlds champion. The Sapporo show was aired by the local channel on the same day, but except some local news about the show & interview to Marin Honda, I have yet found any performance clips.

Yeah, I've only been able to come across Shoma's performance, but nothing else. Hopefully someone will upload it soon :yes: