- Joined
- May 2, 2015
Javier Fernandez
- Thread starter matmuh
- Start date
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2018
I thought the same... maybe he has to catch a flight?
Nevertheless, his last gala performance was so emotional, and for me heartbreaking... He changed the history of figure skating.
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2019
"Mes dias mas felices", the happiest/most blissful moments (months) in my life, this phrase featured in the lyrics iof his farewell performance.
What will his legacy be like? Will there be a successor from Spain? How many young lads have been inspired by this kind and gentle person, this great sportsman, to try and be as good as Javier?
What will his legacy be like? Will there be a successor from Spain? How many young lads have been inspired by this kind and gentle person, this great sportsman, to try and be as good as Javier?
Maybe he has something waiting for him in Spain? I mean the press and am wondering, will he get a letter from the Royal family or a meeting this time?
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2018
Oh wow, this is absolutely gorgeous (I have only just gotten up, am just heading to youtube to see his gala, and am already tearing up just from this picture!)
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2017
Me during the gala -> https://i.imgur.com/AdiBPrO.jpg
Skating can really be without flags sometimes ( when scoring is not involved... ). Listening to italian interviews this last two years, Rizzo have always see Javi as an icon, the model to follow.
Champions of this caliber always help a sport to spread, inspiring the youngest.
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2012
Loved all his performances at Europeans 2019. What a skater! And I felt the need to watch his 2016 Worlds FS again, one of my favourite FS performances ever.
Somehow I think that we'll see him in many shows, but also that he will become an actor. Anyway, I wish him all the best for his future!
Somehow I think that we'll see him in many shows, but also that he will become an actor. Anyway, I wish him all the best for his future!
Here is a translation of Javi's speech he gave at his retirement party in Spain today. :sad21::luv17:
You've probably heard Paloma del Río crying while commentating Javi's last performance... She's not the only one. There's a poll of a Czech TV commentator on Twitter who always commentates figure skating (and he's asking who's the best champion of the four disciplines). I voted and thanked him for broadcasting and his kind commentary of all performances. And I also said that I cried over Javi's goodbye. And here is his reply: Don't tell anyone so it wouldn't ruin my professional reputation but I also almost cried. (his tweet in Czech)
Czech TV also showed the Olympic Channel's goodbye video for Javi - even with subtitles - instead of the last group's warm-up before SP. And during gala break they showed some of Javi's most memorable performances. They really love him (I'll probably translate the commentary as I did with the six previous ones).
When was the announcer in the arena introducing skaters before their FP, they introduced Misha Kolyada and then Javi, even though Javi skated before Misha. Our co-commentator said that such a change in the order of introduction was something very special and you need a special consent of the ISU for it...
You've probably heard Paloma del Río crying while commentating Javi's last performance... She's not the only one. There's a poll of a Czech TV commentator on Twitter who always commentates figure skating (and he's asking who's the best champion of the four disciplines). I voted and thanked him for broadcasting and his kind commentary of all performances. And I also said that I cried over Javi's goodbye. And here is his reply: Don't tell anyone so it wouldn't ruin my professional reputation but I also almost cried. (his tweet in Czech)
Czech TV also showed the Olympic Channel's goodbye video for Javi - even with subtitles - instead of the last group's warm-up before SP. And during gala break they showed some of Javi's most memorable performances. They really love him (I'll probably translate the commentary as I did with the six previous ones).
When was the announcer in the arena introducing skaters before their FP, they introduced Misha Kolyada and then Javi, even though Javi skated before Misha. Our co-commentator said that such a change in the order of introduction was something very special and you need a special consent of the ISU for it...
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2018
- Joined
- Dec 12, 2016
A backstage video of the last competition, I found it in Hielo Español YT Channel.
Not a single tear this time, I'm proud of mysef
Lo que no se vio del último triunfo de Javier Fernández
PS It's in Spanish (except for Brian) but there are subtitles available.
Not a single tear this time, I'm proud of mysef
Lo que no se vio del último triunfo de Javier Fernández
PS It's in Spanish (except for Brian) but there are subtitles available.
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2006
And then the last day of the Europeans. Sunday started with a 45 minute wait in the winter weather to get in the arena for the small medal ceremony and then the gala. We were in among the first and ran to the stage area to secure the front row. They had added metal fences which was perfect because we could place the red #ThankYouJavi banner on it... The front row consisted almost exclusively of HC Javi Fans.
The technical controller was there to present the medals for the ice dancers before men and I was a little worried that they might do the same for the men... Luckily, they had the presence of mind to invite the referee instead. We might have booed Andreeva (I confess: we booed her during the judges presentation when the FS started. Also, the Finnish judge. I again wish to apologize for her poor work.)
And then Javi appeared with the other medalists. He could barely take his eyes off the banner whilst waiting for his turn... He got his medal and the watch, photos were taken, etc. The MC asked a rather stupid question ("Maybe not?") and another about Minsk and the competition which Javi could have answered with one word but chose to elaborate and say his thanks to the organizers and audience.
At the end he was asked to sign a little girl's skate which he did. Before he went to the other side to sign and selfie, he luckily heard tureis' plea to sign the banner. He came down, signed it, took a long look, praised its beauty and thanked us for all the support looking each one in the eye in the process. Then he was dashed off to get ready for the gala...
I must say the rest of the gala felt just a long preparation for the last number. Prometo was magic. The audience was so silent you could have heard a pin drop except when the choreo took Javi close to stands when a wave of applause would rise. At the end everyone was on their feet immediately... After the thanks, Javi literally ran on his skates from the skaters entrance to backstage and one of the most illustrious competition careers in the history of figure skating ended without public fanfares and speeches.
We had heard before that he would leave immediately after the gala, but I did not expect him to leave before the gala ended! No explanations were offered. There was that big press conference in Madrid at 11 am yesterday, but that could have been held at any point in time. Our theory is that he did not want to say goodbyes. There was a report of him crying at the end of the gala practice (and in the video, he keeps wiping his nose). People were puzzled and disappointed, but this is how he chose to do it...
A small group of the HC fans had drinks and dinner together afterwards with tears and laughter. Suitably enough the TV at the restaurant showed the gala. The silence when he was on was tangible. And we were not the only patrons to watch Prometo.
It was surely reported that after the end of the medal ceremony, Javi skated to the stands, hopped over the borders in his skates and climbed up the stairs to meet his family. He also watched part of the ice dance - the Spaniards obviously - with them.
We saw the same French volunteer girl who posted a lot of videos of Javi and she told also a story about how the buddy pic with Kevin Aymoz during practice came about. Apparently, Kevin is a huge fan but far too shy to ask for a photo himself. His coaches talked with Brian a long time - Brian was reportedly also very impressed with Kevin's SP - in Friday practice and Javi took his time in watching Kevin's FS runthrough. Which I have rarely seen him do in practice sessions which are really all business and serious. Then at the final practice their coaches stood side by side and organized the photo to be taken. There was also reportedly mutual fanboying.
It was also supersweet to see Javi with Matteo Rizzo - Matteo had said in an earlier interview that they have known each other for a long time. His dad, Valter Rizzo, worked with Morozov when Javi was there and Valter was also coaching at Javi's summer camp a couple of years ago. Matteo's bows to Javi on the podium!
Javi's words and appearance in all the press conferences etc. have changed some of my ideas of him. The (righteously) angry Javi after the SP speaking his mind. The calm and maybe even slightly melancholy elder statesman Javi after the FS arguing for his outspokenness, explaining his skating philosophy at the same instance. The ideas have been there before, but now they seemed to come out with such clarity and maturity that I cannot but admire his mind also. The air of steely determination and confidence he had about him at the last practices and the warm-up before the FS was also something that I don't think I've seen and felt before. It must have left the others shaking in their boots…
In the 5 years I have followed him he has grown from a slightly goofy young man into a mature adult male who knows what he wants and how to go about to get it. Having watched him trust Brian 200 % at every practice and competition has left me wondering slightly whether he will be able to take on Brian's role in his coaching future. Somehow after this week I am quite sure that he will have no trouble to do it when the time comes. I hope he gets students as good as he has been with Brian!
This was an amazing week, an emotional rollercoaster, some many tears, so many hugs, so much joy, so much sadness. We met a huge number of fabulous Javi fans all over the world to share the last moments of his competetive career.
E
PS Tureis and I are in that video from Eurosport.es (I think - there were two cameras on him in the Friday afternoon practice, but this one I saw first under Eurosport.es)... I am so pleased with that!
The technical controller was there to present the medals for the ice dancers before men and I was a little worried that they might do the same for the men... Luckily, they had the presence of mind to invite the referee instead. We might have booed Andreeva (I confess: we booed her during the judges presentation when the FS started. Also, the Finnish judge. I again wish to apologize for her poor work.)
And then Javi appeared with the other medalists. He could barely take his eyes off the banner whilst waiting for his turn... He got his medal and the watch, photos were taken, etc. The MC asked a rather stupid question ("Maybe not?") and another about Minsk and the competition which Javi could have answered with one word but chose to elaborate and say his thanks to the organizers and audience.
At the end he was asked to sign a little girl's skate which he did. Before he went to the other side to sign and selfie, he luckily heard tureis' plea to sign the banner. He came down, signed it, took a long look, praised its beauty and thanked us for all the support looking each one in the eye in the process. Then he was dashed off to get ready for the gala...
I must say the rest of the gala felt just a long preparation for the last number. Prometo was magic. The audience was so silent you could have heard a pin drop except when the choreo took Javi close to stands when a wave of applause would rise. At the end everyone was on their feet immediately... After the thanks, Javi literally ran on his skates from the skaters entrance to backstage and one of the most illustrious competition careers in the history of figure skating ended without public fanfares and speeches.
We had heard before that he would leave immediately after the gala, but I did not expect him to leave before the gala ended! No explanations were offered. There was that big press conference in Madrid at 11 am yesterday, but that could have been held at any point in time. Our theory is that he did not want to say goodbyes. There was a report of him crying at the end of the gala practice (and in the video, he keeps wiping his nose). People were puzzled and disappointed, but this is how he chose to do it...
A small group of the HC fans had drinks and dinner together afterwards with tears and laughter. Suitably enough the TV at the restaurant showed the gala. The silence when he was on was tangible. And we were not the only patrons to watch Prometo.
It was surely reported that after the end of the medal ceremony, Javi skated to the stands, hopped over the borders in his skates and climbed up the stairs to meet his family. He also watched part of the ice dance - the Spaniards obviously - with them.
We saw the same French volunteer girl who posted a lot of videos of Javi and she told also a story about how the buddy pic with Kevin Aymoz during practice came about. Apparently, Kevin is a huge fan but far too shy to ask for a photo himself. His coaches talked with Brian a long time - Brian was reportedly also very impressed with Kevin's SP - in Friday practice and Javi took his time in watching Kevin's FS runthrough. Which I have rarely seen him do in practice sessions which are really all business and serious. Then at the final practice their coaches stood side by side and organized the photo to be taken. There was also reportedly mutual fanboying.
It was also supersweet to see Javi with Matteo Rizzo - Matteo had said in an earlier interview that they have known each other for a long time. His dad, Valter Rizzo, worked with Morozov when Javi was there and Valter was also coaching at Javi's summer camp a couple of years ago. Matteo's bows to Javi on the podium!
Javi's words and appearance in all the press conferences etc. have changed some of my ideas of him. The (righteously) angry Javi after the SP speaking his mind. The calm and maybe even slightly melancholy elder statesman Javi after the FS arguing for his outspokenness, explaining his skating philosophy at the same instance. The ideas have been there before, but now they seemed to come out with such clarity and maturity that I cannot but admire his mind also. The air of steely determination and confidence he had about him at the last practices and the warm-up before the FS was also something that I don't think I've seen and felt before. It must have left the others shaking in their boots…
In the 5 years I have followed him he has grown from a slightly goofy young man into a mature adult male who knows what he wants and how to go about to get it. Having watched him trust Brian 200 % at every practice and competition has left me wondering slightly whether he will be able to take on Brian's role in his coaching future. Somehow after this week I am quite sure that he will have no trouble to do it when the time comes. I hope he gets students as good as he has been with Brian!
This was an amazing week, an emotional rollercoaster, some many tears, so many hugs, so much joy, so much sadness. We met a huge number of fabulous Javi fans all over the world to share the last moments of his competetive career.
E
PS Tureis and I are in that video from Eurosport.es (I think - there were two cameras on him in the Friday afternoon practice, but this one I saw first under Eurosport.es)... I am so pleased with that!
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2006
We thought they had forgotten Javi in the introductions, but then realized that the best for last! Also, the order for the small medals was changed because of that I think, ice dance was first and then men, it was supposed to be the other way around.
I got back yesterday and was pretty tired, so just watched the Finnish broadcasts for the men's competitions. Anuliisa Uotila is a coach and a long term commentator and she is joined by Laura Lepistö on a regular basis. They were thoroughly surprised by the low score in the SP, neither had seen anything wrong with the 4S. Then in the FS, at the beginning Laura was so nervous for Javi that she could barely speak. Midway through Man of La Mancha, Uotila said "Do we really have to give him scores? Could he just be given the gold medal?"
YLE did short interviews on Javi before and after which are in this broadcast at the beginning and end. It is geoblocked, but if you have VPN for Finland, you can watch it easily enough.
E
The Skating Lesson on YT did an amazing interview with Sandra Bezic. They cover a lot of things, she talks a lot about ROI, about Javi, about his preparation for EC, about Man of La Mancha... 
It's a really insightful interview. In the first pinned comment you can find very detailed time-stamps so you can jump to the parts you want to hear.
It's a really insightful interview. In the first pinned comment you can find very detailed time-stamps so you can jump to the parts you want to hear.
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2018
For anyone who knows Japanese (or can understand Spanish overlaid with a Japanese dub) there are daily motion links to the recent Yuzu special on p173 of his fan fest and the third part has Javi's interview...even for those of us who can't, he does look gooood....
- Joined
- Mar 21, 2018
The Skating Lesson on YT did an amazing interview with Sandra Bezic. They cover a lot of things, she talks a lot about ROI, about Javi, about his preparation for EC, about Man of La Mancha...
It's still completely mind-boggling to me that he prepared for competition in just three weeks. I mean, I knew that before, but I kind of thought he started training quads and all that on his own before coming to Canada. But according to Sandra, appearantly not in the slightest? This is just amazing.
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