Javier Fernandez

[Mussique]

Ok, news from Hielo Español report that he'd been having stomach problems (I don't want to make a terrible pun so I won't) and that he had been feeling weak during the competition. They also put that as the reason as for missing the Gala. Source

I know he has completed during terrible pain before (like with his feet, there was a year where he couldn't even walk in his boots he was feeling so much pain) but I can see how he can be uncomfortable. And I still I don't think he was on the best mindset with the whole coaches thing.
I'm glad there's a physical reason. It makes sense since (while not clean) he didn't do badly at all on Canada and Japan Open.

Get well soon Javi!!

And I think we kinda deserve a collective hug...

Edit: sorry Jasya, I hadn't seen your post!

 

[Jasya]

stomach problems...

 

[Bcash]

I am totally shocked, Javi got no medal from Cup of China! And he could have won this event easily if he had skated closer to what he is capable of at this time of the season. And this is an event he has won three times in a row... I hope he is not ill or injured? Or did Orser´s absence affect this much??? I wonder why Tracy Wilson was not there as she is also mentioned as his coach? Maybe something happened before his skating, something which threw him off from his jumps? I believed that he will bounce back in the freeskate, as he had an excellent starting number, IMO.

Hopefully he will not withdraw from Cup of France, as he needs to compete more against the guys who have more BV in jumps than he.

Tracy Wilson was commenting for the US Olympic channel this week. When asked by the other commentator if the absence of Orser would affect Javier, she said: "At his level, it shouldn't."

 

[tureis]

I hate to see this happen to see any skater, but to see my absolute favorite this way is just heartbreaking. :sad46::sad4: The whole thing was a complete nightmare, going from bad to worse, from seeing his face defeated, no trace of confidence, even as he was lining up during introductions, to the actual performance and his body language afterwards.

I'm going to throw all my hope into the stomach pain being the main reason behind this, and that there is no injury or mental state involved here. It would make sense, because while for sure he's no stranger to competing through pain and injury, stomach problems can eat away at strength and endurance completely. I can also only wish that he will be able to put this competition and not making the GPF behind him, and it won't come back to haunt him.

eppen, please pass this on to evergreen: I'm going to call this Javi's Goodwill Games. We didn't lose hope then, and we won't do it now, that Javi will also be able to fulfill his potential and reach that medal.

 

[rosacotton]

And I think we kinda deserve a collective hug...

Truly! I knew the Olympics were going to be heartbreaking -- not enough places on the podium for all of my favorites -- but I did not expect the men to start breaking my heart so soon!! :sad46:

 

[brens78]

Get well soon Javi! Don't let this one off performance get to you and come back stronger than ever :agree:

 

[Jaana]

I know he has completed during terrible pain before (like with his feet, there was a year where he couldn't even walk in his boots he was feeling so much pain) but I can see how he can be uncomfortable. And I still I don't think he was on the best mindset with the whole coaches thing.
I'm glad there's a physical reason. It makes sense since (while not clean) he didn't do badly at all on Canada and Japan Open.

Get well soon Javi!!

I think that stomach upset might be a lot worse than having some pain, because that makes one feel so totally weak. No wonder that his jumps were not working.... Get well quickly, Javi and do avoid food that can make you a stomach upset while abroad... And especially at the Olympics!!!

 

[tzazu]

I remember one that was horrible. I was travelling with my husband, my parents-in-law and my little brother (10yo). We ate in a restaurant, and my mother-in-law, little brother and I shared a plate, among other things that all ate there (this is our deduction). More or less 8 hours later, the three of us were so bad that couldn't move. The rest of the hollidays (5 more days) were a nightmare

 

[cathlen]

Ok, I believe that everything will turn out all right in the end. I really, really do

 

[eppen]

Not having access to my usual internet sources is somewhat irritating in this situation - I have now read about intestinal flu, virus, speculation about food poisoning etc. What is the official word? Please copypaste the text because links don't open here!

Today we went to a long walk to old city living quarters, the hotung, which was cool for a person who is very interested in domestic architecture. We came back just in time for the gala which was unspiring without Javi... We wondered whether he has already left town...

We will stay in Beijing for 3 more days for sightseeing and delicious food. This is really my summer holiday because I had no time to have vacation days in the summer... please post all the news, social media posts etc.!

The horror that was Cup of China 2017 is now more or less over and we can all move on towards better things! It has been a pleasure to share it with you, evergreen and eppen thank you all!

E

 

[tureis]

What is the official word? Please copypaste the text because links don't open here!

The official word is what was said in the ISU report on the men's FS. "Spain’s two-time World Champion Javier Fernandez, who suffered from a stomach upset, slipped from third to sixth after a sub-par performance (253.06 points)."

As far as I know nothing directly from Javi yet. This is the source that was referenced in other news reports and social media posts as well.

 

[xeyra]

Get well soon, Javi, and come back in full form!

 

[alain06fr]

I really feel sorry for Javi. He's such a fantastic skater. I can imagine how frustrated he was by suffering from a stomach upset and not being in a situation to perform his program as he should. Let's hope he will recover very soon.

 

[tureis]

How bizarre is this situation? Tracy Wilson's commentary of Javi's FS.

First of all, that she is sitting in some studio in the US, whereas she should be the one stepping in for Brian at the last minute to be by Javi's side - which I assume would have happened had this event not been in a country with strict visa requirements. And second, that she is watching Javi struggle through this terrible skate and commenting on it while I cannot imagine her not being perfectly aware what his problem was. I would probably have been screaming with helpless agony in this situation. :shocked:

 

[eppen]

The official word is what was said in the ISU report on the men's FS. "Spain’s two-time World Champion Javier Fernandez, who suffered from a stomach upset, slipped from third to sixth after a sub-par performance (253.06 points)."

As far as I know nothing directly from Javi yet. This is the source that was referenced in other news reports and social media posts as well.

Thanks, sweetie! Evergreen has been combing the local boards and nothing directly from Javi there either on what was going on. Apparently people caught him directly after the competition on the bridge crossing the main street btw rink and hotel (everybody walks).

He was not in the banquet as far we know - there was a longish video on it online and he was not there.

E

 

[xibsuarz]

How bizarre is this situation? Tracy Wilson's commentary of Javi's FS.

First of all, that she is sitting in some studio in the US, whereas she should be the one stepping in for Brian at the last minute to be by Javi's side - which I assume would have happened had this event not been in a country with strict visa requirements. And second, that she is watching Javi struggle through this terrible skate and commenting on it while I cannot imagine her not being perfectly aware what his problem was. I would probably have been screaming with helpless agony in this situation. :shocked:

Well, she has to be a professional through it all, even though you could tell she knows him because she said she knew he was different due to his facial expression and body language. She was sympathetic and had some kind words for him

 

[tureis]

Thanks, sweetie! Evergreen has been combing the local boards and nothing directly from Javi there either on what was going on. Apparently people caught him directly after the competition on the bridge crossing the main street btw rink and hotel (everybody walks).

Aww poor guy, no hiding from anxious fans I guess.

He was not in the banquet as far we know - there was a longish video on it online and he was not there.

Well, not surprised by that. I wouldn't want to see people around me eating and drinking either. The one time this happened to me, in Egypt, I could barely stand for two days and still couldn't eat anything for another two.

 

[tureis]

Well, she has to be a professional through it all, even though you could tell she knows him because she said she knew he was different due to his facial expression and body language. She was sympathetic and had some kind words for him

Sure, coaches must know their skaters inside and out after so many years, in some ways probably even better than the skaters know themselves. Tracy was super professional but this must have been tough for her too.

 

[eppen]

The bridge is the perfect hunting ground for the fans - no way to escape...

But please tell me (and evergreen) what Tracy was saying in the comments? I can't wait until thursday...

E

 

[tureis]

The bridge is the perfect hunting ground for the fans - no way to escape...

But please tell me (and evergreen) what Tracy was saying in the comments? I can't wait until thursday...

E

She said no word about the stomach thing at all, either during the short or the long.

During the short she said Javi looked cautious, changing his mind mid-jump on the 4T combo, and just being too slow on the landing of the 3A to hold onto it. He didn't skate with his usual freedom, he was holding back. She was asked whether Brian not being there might have been an issue but she said at his level it shouldn't be a big factor, but he indeed doesn't work with Lee normally. She brought up Kolyada's scores, that those might have had an effect, or it was just a feeling.

During the long she announced pretty much after the first couple of jumps that Javi's body language and facial expressions were very telling, that he was just not looking himself. She said afterwards it was a heartbreaking performance and repeated that Javi's body language and face said everything from the very first moment. She mentioned it's a gorgeous program, Javi loves it and connects with the music. She said there was no indication of this at all in Javi's training beforehand. They returned to talk about Brian not being there and Javi having to do this event with Lee instead. Tracy said a relationship definitely has to be established between them, and for the coach to know the skater and when to step in and what to say. She described Javi as a perfectionist, very tough on himself, and that he definitely had a lot of angry words to say to himself during that skate.