New Johnny Weir Interview

[kittycat26]

I like Johnny alot but I wonder if he may have missed his window. In this sport you have a window to make your mark, and you have to take it. Johnny had about a 2-year window that he did not take advantage of. Now others are getting their chance-Oda, Takahashi, Lysacek, and they are taking it. Evan Lysacek took those 2 world medals that probably should have been Johnny's, now Johnny may no longer have the opportunity with judges to supplant a guy like Mr. Evan Lysacek to even be the best American again, let alone one of the best in the world.

I really dont believe Johnny can do anything on his own at this point. What he has to do on his own to give himself any chance, to take advantage of an opportunity that arises, is much more then he is doing now. He needs to start doing a quad in both short and long, study how to get the most points out of his jumping passes, do all level 3 or 4 spins and footwork, and do 100% clean shorts and free skates regularly. He then needs to keep doing this over and over again, and hope that the stars align and the japanese kiddies, Lambiel, Joubert, and Lysacek, all make some mistakes and then maybe he can squeek in for a surprise bronze at worlds one of these next few years which might open up the window of opportunity again for him before it is too late. I dont think he can control his own destiny though, his fate is at this point reliant on others misfortunes, and he only will have enough to capatilize on even that if he restructures what he is doing in multiple ways as I depicted above.

 

[layman]

Priscilla Hill

Many of you have mentioned Johnny's coach, Priscilla Hill, in this thread.

Priscilla Hill won the National Bronze medal in 1978 and the National Silver medal in 1981. It's interesting that she was coached by Gustave Lussi who also coached Dick Button, Dorothy Hamill, Evelyn Kramer (the Spin Doctor), and Robin Wagner. Mr. Lussi was known for his advanced jump technique and the quality of his spinning technique. Priscilla was also coached by the legendary Carlo Fassi, who also coached John Curry, Dorothy Hamill, Peggy Fleming, Robin Cousins, Jill Trenary, Scott Hamilton and Paul Wylie. Carlo Fassi was known for teaching excellent skating technique particularly the technique of edging and school figures.

I attribute much of the beauty and greatness in Johnny's skating to Priscilla Hill (and Gustave Lussi and Carlo Fassi, her teachers). Johnny's jump techique is so sound (the clean take-off edges, the clean in-air revolutions, the clean landing edges and the superb runout and flow in the jump landings) that he makes the jumps look like artistic elements. I attribute that to Priscilla Hill and Gustave Lussi. Furthermore, you can see the influence of Priscilla Hill and Gustave Lussi in the excellence of Johnny's spinning, the speed, the centering, and the intricate positions that Johnny maintains throughout the spins. You can see the influence of Carlo Fassi in the exellence of Johnny's edging, flow and runout. Johnny is often compared in this regard to 1976 Olympic Champion John Curry, another of Carlo's pupils.

It is fascinating to watch clips of Prisilla Hill's skating performances:

http://www.frogsonice.com/video/1978-worlds/ladies/Priscilla Hill - 1978 Worlds LP.wmv

She was known for her advaced jump technique (she was attempting triples that few other ladies were performing at the time). She was the first lady to land the 3-loop jump in competition.

You can see that Priscilla had extensive ballet training. Her skating was as balletic and graceful as that of Oksana Baiul. As many of you may recall, Johnny (never having skated as a child) was inspired to skate after seeing Baiul's performance at the 1994 Olympic Games. He began skating at the advanced age of 12, was sixth at the his first National Championships and first at his first (Junior) World Championships at the age of 16 and won his first National title at the age of 19. I would say that Johnny's something of a figure skating prodigy.

Now as we all know prodigies have a tendency to burn out early if their talent is not harnessed and molded properly. More than ever, Johnny needs advisors he can trust. Priscilla Hill has taken him a long way (in a relatively short time) and all her teachings have been to the good for Johnny's skating. She has given Johnny the knowledge and teaching of her legendary coaches Gustave Lussi and Carlo Fassi. I hope that Johnny continues to follow her excellent guidance.

 

[1cmarie]

Priscilla Hill has taken him a long way (in a relatively short time) and all her teachings have been to the good for Johnny's skating. I hope that he continues to follow her excellent guidance.

You and me both, Layman. I think exhaustion and uninspired programs may have done him in this season. He's got until 2010 to get back in the swing of things. This season could have been just what he needed to get him hungry enough again.

 

[temperboy28]

Furthermore, you can see the influence of Priscilla Hill and Gustave Lussi in the excellence of Johnny's spinning, the speed, the centering, and the intricate positions that Johnny maintains throughout the spins.

I am afraid what you see in the spinning of Johnny escapes me. Centering yes, very good. Speed? No I do not see particularly impressive speed in his spins, in fact he is slow as molasses compared to guys like Lambiel, Oda, and Buttle in their spins. Intricate positions? Sometimes nice positions yes, intricate positions, atleast under COP requirements, no.

 

[Mathman]

Layman, thanks for that informative post on Priscilla Hill's career as a skater, student and coach. :yes:

 

[Tonichelle]

I am afraid what you see in the spinning of Johnny escapes me. Centering yes, very good. Speed? No I do not see particularly impressive speed in his spins, in fact he is slow as molasses compared to guys like Lambiel, Oda, and Buttle in their spins. Intricate positions? Sometimes nice positions yes, intricate positions, atleast under COP requirements, no.

have to disagree here... he's got very quick rotation on those spins... and they're always nice to watch...

 

[temperboy28]

have to disagree here... he's got very quick rotation on those spins... and they're always nice to watch...

Well if several of you think this maybe I am wrong, but I just dont see it. I will try and look more closely for the things you are saying next to, but I have not see it in past performances of his. Have you ever seen Lambiel, Oda, and Buttle spin?

 

[Tonichelle]

I've only seen Johnny Weir skate live of the four we're now discussing...

but yes I have seen all four on television and Buttle, on TV, is no faster 'looking' than Johnny

 

[kittyjake5]

Layman-Thank you so much for the mini-biography on Priscilla Hill and for the video clip of her skating. She has quite an impressive background. Johnny is very lucky to have her as his coach.

 

[Dee4707]

Layman, thanks for that informative post on Priscilla Hill's career as a skater, student and coach. :yes:

I second that!!! During Nationals, Johnny and Priscilla had a press conference and Priscilla told a story about Johnny practicing. She was not able to be there but his mother was. Johnny was practicing the quad and fell; he just laid on the ice. Johnny's mom didn't know what to do, finally Johnny got up. Patty Weir called Priscilla and told her that she was scared when Johnny fell thinking he really hurt himself. Patty said I'm not like you when you yell......GET UP!!

Do you think World's will give us any indication of what Johnny wants to do with his future skating efforts?

Dee

 

[Spun Silver]

Do you think World's will give us any indication of what Johnny wants to do with his future skating efforts?

No, I don't. Johnny seems defeated this season. Worlds is the end of a tough year and I won't be surprised if he skates without confidence, but I will still hope he comes back strong with a new spirit next season.

 

[slutskayafan21]

All in all what would be considered a success at World for Weir this year? Either in terms of performance, results, a certain feeling that comes out of the event, a certain personal accomplishment in its own way. What would it be?

 

[psycho]

All in all what would be considered a success at World for Weir this year? Either in terms of performance, results, a certain feeling that comes out of the event, a certain personal accomplishment in its own way. What would it be?

To finish the season with dignity. Hopefully make the exhibitions.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

All in all what would be considered a success at World for Weir this year? Either in terms of performance, results, a certain feeling that comes out of the event, a certain personal accomplishment in its own way. What would it be?

Good question. I can only speak for myself and say I would hope he skates an impeccable routine as only he can, and it doesn't matter where he places.

Joe

 

[Spun Silver]

I want him to land his quad - skate cleanly, confidently and musically and like himself, so he gets a good audience reaction - and feel like he did his best. That's not asking much, is it? And of course, all this should be rewarded with a top 5 placement. I want him to beat at least one of the guys who are considered stronger contenders right now. :agree:

Go, Johnny!

 

[Snowgirl]

I hope for a clean short and a freeskate maybe with minor mistakes - but with 3A-3T, 4T and no pops. I would be happy if he scores a new personal best in FS - his old is from 2004! But this is unlikely to happen - he sounds really tired and burnt out. That's sad.

 

[Vodka Shot]

For me a success would be to skate both programs w/out any major errors (no pops, doubles, or falls) and to not skip any jumping passes. None of the jumps necessarily need to be a quad. Just all landed well. And to finish in the top 6. I dont see him placing ahead of Joubert, Takahashi, Lambiel, Oda, or Lysacek but he can make top 6 if he really pushes for it. I think he's got what it takes to beat Bradley, Buttle, Verner etc.

I don't think this will happen though. I realistically think he's going to make the top 10 but, not break past 7 or 8 I'd say. A nightmare would be if he didn't break top 10. If he doesn't break 10 I'll throw myself off a bridge into alligator infested waters.

Personally I'll be pleased if he places above Bradley b/c imo nationals was a fluke and he should have got silver ( or at least he had it in him to get silver).

 

[demarinis5]

No offense but this thread is turning into a wake for Johnny. ( I know his season has not been his best) Come on people positive vibes and maybe all of our hopes will come true. Go Johnny.

 

[twinsissv]

To finish the season with dignity. Hopefully make the exhibitions.

:thumbsup:

 

[hockeyfan228]

Well if several of you think this maybe I am wrong, but I just dont see it. I will try and look more closely for the things you are saying next to, but I have not see it in past performances of his. Have you ever seen Lambiel, Oda, and Buttle spin?

Yes, I've seen all of them live, and all but Oda multiple times. Lambiel's fastest spins have no rival in speed, except for the occasional scratch spin, but, that generally covers one or possibly two of his sit spins/combo sit spin positions. Even the headless scratch spin isn't blazing, but it's impressive because of position. His other spins have nice speed, but not more than Oda, Buttle, or Weir. Weir looked sluggish in general at Skate Canada, and an occasional spin gets bogged down, but the same happened to all the others but Oda. Buttle has extraordinary positions in his spins, and he seems to vary his speed, but the overall speed isn't better than Weir's over the course of their careers.