What an incredible evening it was here in Moscow! I personally couldn't wait for the short dance to be over. Even though we were all really happy for Sarah and Kyrill doing so well and coming in 7th. I have to say we must be honorary Spaniards by now, which funnily enough none of us are, but we have been waving the Spanish flag and screaming quite loudly for the entire Spanish team. I'm not sure what the Russians sitting all around us are making of us, this crazy Spanish trio speaking in English.
But finally the men's competition and the last group came and warmup was somewhat mixed from Javi. 3Lo, 3F combo, 3A, 4T all exceptional, slightly wonky landing on the 4S and no combo, but popped the 3Lz twice. The first one due to traffic but the second his own mistake. He was visibly frustrated after the 2nd try. But it has been Javi's most consistent jump this season, so we weren't too concerned. He also started to touch his knee after the awkward landing, which we haven't seen all week. Please let that knee hang in there for just two more months...
I have to say I loved how the audience went along with Javi's FS immediately, clapping enthusiastically with the music, cheering his jumps. It was clear he is loved in Russia even if he is there to win over their guys. And all those Spanish flags! From Spanish, from international fans like us, and from Russians as well. He really was the star of the evening and the atmosphere felt electric and full of anticipation after a long series of lackluster performances and very few highlights.
And what a start it was! With the quads and then finally hitting that first 3A, even if there was a wobble at the end of the combo. His arm behind his back on that 2T is so fabulous and perfect for the knight theme! And then the Dulcinea part, where this new romantic shirt flowing gloriously around his body and arms truly comes alive. I'm so glad they changed to this shirt. Javi is a beautiful sight in it, the way he performs this program, with gentle moves and such lightness and flow to everything he does. There were the mistakes of course, the pop on the 4S and the botched 3F, but they finally didn't bring down the program in any way because he pulled off everything else like nothing happened. And that glorious 3Lo! It beats me how that isn't a +3 across the board when he hits that jump. I have never seen a jump more perfectly and seamlessly integrated into the choreography. I was especially happy for the 2nd 3A. That jump has been his nemesis in the FS this season and hit both of them here. And great recovery on doing the 3Lz as the combo, especially after missing it in warmup. Brian was hitting the boards and yelling like crazy as Javi skated past him into the step sequence. I just wish he could maintain more energy for the end to add more speed to the spins.
Overall it was a massive improvement and his best performance this season without a doubt. But of course we all know just as Javi does that he will need to do better. I do wonder whether that's the reason he has been so subdued and serious at all the medal ceremonies, in Grenoble, at Spanish nationals and even here too, or simply there's always that inescapable thought that these are the last times he stands on these podiums accepting these medals.
We went down to ice level for the medal ceremony and Javi was standing right in front of us while waiting to take the ice. He spent the entire time fixing the pleats of his sleeves so they all align the same way. It was so funny and cute! He must really be a neat freak.

Afterwards as he got off the ice to go backstage, he was caught by Tat who spoke with Javi for quite a bit, not just a simple contratulatory greeting, and then gave him a hug and big kisses on the cheeks. I hope Tat praised him to heavens the way only she can.
Because of course he deserves it! European champion 6th time in a row! What an incredible achievement! Javi truly has made history. There is a reason no one has been able to do it for over 80(!!!) years. The combination of superiority, consistency and physical endurance he has shown is really unprecedented. I am so glad I got to see him accomplish this live! :luv17::sad4:
