What is wrong with Johnny Weir? Do you think he doesn't have the stamina?

[Jaana]

What is wrong with Johnny Weir?
I think that should not apply to the current season only, but also to the 2005-2006 season. Generally he skates a brilliant short programme and has either a big or somewhat smaller meltdown in the freeskate.

What causes the freeskate meltdowns?
Of course I don´t know the reasons, but to me these seem the most likely ones:

- Not enough hard training and concentrating on skating

- He has become too popular and because of that has lost the drive to succeed in competitons. Why bother as one is so popular anyway...

- Way too many continuous distractions during the skating season. He should only think and breath about figure skating, toally restrict most of other activities at least a month before a competion and generally lessen all distractions during the skating season. Mental concentration and preparation for a purpose is very important, in my opinion.

What could be done?
- A sport psycholog could help, perhaps

- Training with full run-throughs of the freeskate programme again and again

- Instead of "blaming" CoP, Weir should make it work for his advantage. He should use the services of a chorographer with full CoP-expertise. He himself should learn to really understand the part of CoP-system that applies to his own skating. E.g. Buttle has great artistic choreography under CoP and he and his choreographer understand how the points can be gathered/added also during skating a programme. Besides, Weir is a much better jumper than Buttle!

Figure skating is sport combined with artistry and the skater needs to learn to have a clear head and sharp brain while competing. One must not give up after an early mistake or later mistake, because so much can still be done.

 

[efreedman]

From what I can tell there are several problems.

1) Aerobic stamina. He gets out of breath far too easily. Notice the gasping for air during his SP and that was just the SP so it's no wonder he has a hard time making it through the LP's. He can't run because it's very hard on your legs but, I think he should look into taking cycling classes or do more Pilates. He only does Pilates twice a week. That is the only off ice training he does.
2) I think he should also eat better. Although I don't agree that he's too thin. Lysacek and Buttle are also very thin. But, he should eat better and he should maybe bulk up a bit in his legs. Evan is now doing leg weight training so his body can better handle quads.
3) He needs to get over himself and see a spots psychologist. He's diluted if he doesn't think he needs one. It doesn't make you crazy to see a psychologist but, doing the same thing over and over while failing at it is the definition of crazy.
4) He needs to train more. He only actually skates a few hours 5 days a week. That is nothing compared to his competition. He also needs to do complete run throughs, he doesn't like to do them.
5) He needs to not hire his friends to choreograph his programs.

I highly doubt he will do any of these things. He's notoriously stubborn and I've noticed anytime sports psychology or perhaps training more is brought up in Q and A's he gets defensive.

Bingo!

 

[hockeyfan228]

I'm not sure Yagudin's work with a sports psychologist was ever accepted, especially in Russia (and Weir wants so much to be Russian). Somehow not manly enough, and an unfair advantage over the manly men who don't need one.

Of course, it's fine for Moskvina to "hypnotize" her pairs skaters, but that's different than using a psychology pro.

 

[Hsuhs]

I'm not sure Yagudin's work with a sports psychologist was ever accepted, especially in Russia

Yes it was.

 

[hockeyfan228]

Yes it was.

Then I guess that's why the practice has been widely adopted, and the current crop of Russian singles' skaters who have the technical ability are skating so consistently and having such good results.

 

[Hsuhs]

Not sure what you were trying to say, but b/c that psychology thing'd helped Yagudin to win the OGM, it was accepted.

The same psychologist's been working with Griazev. It obviously hasn't done Griazev any good so far (in terms of the FS results). I've seen nasty messages in the guest book on Griazev's site calling him 'loser', 'sissy' and 'a head case', b/c of it. Alexei was never called those names.

 

[yelyoh]

The Eurosports' tech person was saying that Johnny does set up quite right for his quad, that he rushes the entry, spotting a bit too early. The other guy said that Johnny does not have the big weapons to compete but the tech guy said he does and in fact does a good 4t/4t in practice. The tech guy thinks it's just the adrenaline rush of competition that causes JW to rush. I think that seeing a sports shrink might help him control his emotions more. And yes some aerobic conditioning. And some more TT choreography. At any rate, he has to get it together or he will be passed by in a year or two but some up and coming US junior like Caroline Zhang (just joking).

 

[hockeyfan228]

Not sure what you were trying to say, but b/c that psychology thing'd helped Yagudin to win the OGM, it was accepted.

If it was so accepted, then it would have been implemented so much more broadly, is what I'm trying to say. Figure skating is one of the biggest "follow the leader" sports around. Coaches like Mishin, Mokvina, and Tarasova use every means at their disposal, unless they don't accept an approach or can't make it take, even with their own influence. Younger disciples like Vassiliev, Dmitriev, and Urmanov often follow their mentors' examples.

The same psychologist's been working with Griazev. It obviously hasn't done Griazev any good so far (in terms of the FS results). I've seen nasty messages in the guest book on Griazev's site calling him 'loser', 'sissy' and 'a head case', b/c of it. Alexei was never called those names.

Yagudin was certainly called a head case, and seemed to need to justify the use of a psychologist in about every interview I've read the translation of in which it was brought up, which was early and often.

Yagudin's and Griazev's cases are quite different. Griazev has had a recurring, debilitating back injury for a number of years, and regaining the confidence that the body will do what it's asked and relatively pain-free is a different issue than Yagudin's.

ETA: The Internet has come so far since 2002 that expressing one's inner Rush Limbaugh anonymously is considered not only a right, but a duty.

 

[SeaniBu]

Johnny just said "I am trained well, I just need a good nights sleep and a good meal...":agree:

Like his attitude when he is in those post skate interviews.:agree:

 

[Hsuhs]

You're right.

 

[Spun Silver]

The Internet has come so far since 2002 that expressing one's inner Rush Limbaugh anonymously is considered not only a right, but a duty.

Well put!!! An aphorism worth quoting.

 

[twinsissv]

Whatever his issues, he is a beautiful artist and athlete, incredibly gifted with natural talent, and I hope he can overcome his obstacles and realize his potential. He is one of those rare skaters to come along who has it all. I could watch him all day even without jumping. Let's all hope he is able to come back - if not, what a loss for US skating and for us, the audience. I have always envisioned his skating and artistry improving with age.

You have ABSOLUTELY read my mind and expressed my heartfelt thoughts. Thank you for putting them into such beautiful words. At this time, words seem to fail me regarding my favorite skater. :disapp:

 

[Tinymavy15]

Johnny just said "I am trained well, I just need a good nights sleep and a good meal...":agree:

Like his attitude when he is in those post skate interviews.:agree:

I guess skating after Evan just isn't lucky for him. Evan did not skate that well, and still Johnny messed up.

 

[Zanzibar]

Unfortunately, Johnny has been in situations the past two world championships where he is entering the event pretty much just hoping to get it over with. This is a far cry from someone like Joubert, who enters these events like a caged animal waiting to pounce on the chance to grab the title, recognition, and gold medal that he almost feels was his birthright, his destiny.

It's a mental thing. And it's a physical thing. He needs more endurance, he also really needs to find a way to be able to consistently get more sleep. I would like to see Johnny skip the Grand Prix season, relax the next few months, then come back and train like a possessed Russian dynamo to regain his title at US Nationals, and peak at next season's worlds, with back-to-back gold medals. The thing is...Johnny actually possesses the talent to do this. He may not do it, but he has it inside of him - he just has to flip the 'ON' switch and make the committment.

 

[momjudi]

Can Johnny skip the entire grand prix series and not be penalized by usfsa or isu?

Any truth to the rumor that the Russian Federation may not allow Tatiana T. to coach Johnny this summer since he is not a Russian and Tatiana is now coaching and living full time in Russia?

 

[Spun Silver]

I hope Johnny takes heart from Miki's victory. He can do the same thing if he wants it as much as she did.

 

[twistysox]

According to those close to him it's not lack of training that's the problem, apparently he trains very diligently and not any less than his competition. I'm not entirely sure I buy that to be honest but, if that is the case than it's clearly a mental thing. Which is a much bigger problem than lack of training. Especially when he won't see a sports psychologist.

I also think a problem might be that he surrounds himself with "yes people" I can imagine him hearing right now that top 8 at worlds is a great honor, it could have been worse, bronze at nationals is nothing to scoff at...blah blah blah...." That's all fine and good when you're a little known up and coming skater but, he's not. He's arguably the most famous currently competing US skater and is certainly the most naturally gifted one in years.

 

[Hsuhs]

I think only Johnny knows what's 'wrong' with him.

 

[figuristka]

One of the problems this season was his choreography in both the short and Free. I think it was a mistake to change his style. His classic style with wonderful flow and grace on the ice is what has helped him in the past. I read somewhere Tarasova didnt feel Marina was ready to Choreograph at this level as she is new at it. He said he wanted to skate in a more masculine style but who should really define how a man should skate. I felt his programs needed him to have higher energy than his programs in the past, and also they did not show his strengths. He was more consistant being more subdued on the ice, better able to focus.He should return to his previous style, and improve his facial expression and audience connection.

 

[jennylovskt]

I think it is the Choreographer. She didn't leave proper time to setup his jumps. So he is rushing them. She doesn't jump. Totally changing his style this late in his career is crazy. We should see the old Johnny again next year but he has to get over his fear of the quad.

Even if he won't use Annissina next year, there might be some other things come up.