Johnny Weir 2007 Cup of China - Free Skating

[justathoughtable]

Beautiful, but why does it seem like he's skating (esp spinning) so slowly? Is it just the tape? Would love to know what the commentators are saying.

[silverrose1810]

for me this is one of his best routines.

I didn't like the ones he presented at the olympics, but i hope that net year he can come up with something as strong as this.

[renaisanc9]

Did anyone catch the fact that Johnny's holding his NECKLACE in his MOUTH at roughly 6:38 ?

[renaisanc9]

Spectacular! The ice and the world have never been witness to a more spectacular, lyrical skater.

[axs2]

The guy has Ukrainian coach Galina Zmievskaya.

[sunshinejava44]

Oh wow! How beautiful!! Love Johnny!!

[degiify]

Johnny is a real innovator! Since his Swam men's figure skating became changing.Even Lyasechek&Juiber improved their plastics&costumes and ext,although they are don't recognize it...Johnny,you're the best&unique one!!!Wish you more inspiration&creation!!!

[bustedlime]

From what I've seen of Johnny, he's got just as much fluidity and grace as any female skater I've seen (and more than some, even!). He's absolutely incredible to watch.

[G5349]

Men and Women can't be compared because each of them have their strengths. Men might have more muscle power and do more acrobatic moves but Women have more fluidity and ease of interpretation.

And well ice skating is not only about athleticism its about art too, if someone wants athletics they can go and watch Apollo Ohno racing in speed skating

[daretodream86]

omg, men sure have amazing stamina! you don't see such energy in women's skating (well, obviously you can't really compare them). he did like a dozen jumps! and so confidently too.

[ZQPYU]

@daretodream86

I agree, but imho, women have a fluidity and grace the guys just can't match. Good stuff here buy Johnny.

[donalddarko2007]

Johnny weir es simplemente excelente

[VET331]

omg I love johnny so much!!

his triple axel is amazing

[yodabeesh]

A great program for Johnny. He really needed this; a good boost for him. I'm also glad to see he got his hair cut from last season. (Too much hair product.) The move to Galina was a good idea. To win a World championship, he will definitely need a quad in his program.

[eollchild]

I'll never get bored of watching Johnny skate! I love the new programs, both short and long, only the costumes could be a little more diverse - not just variations on black and white.

[driveright]

JOHNNY is amazing

[kevalenoxx]

i like his outfits

[xxxlilgansta100]

i guess changing coaches was a good move for him. LOL

[rickram1961]

I have never seen Johnny Weir skate any finer than this. I seen this on TV when it aired.

Johnny really reinvented himself. I think Johnny's new skating coach has made him a more stronger skater.

[taylorodes]

wow.

[samnotis]

I liked his skating better when he felt free to be a swan; he was genius. This whole make a macho man out of him movement seems to have dimmed a bit of his light.

[vanillabeanfrap7]

i think so too, but hes good both ways

[floatingweeds]

just come to realize the costume probably represents Johnny himself. half...n half... (the fascinating blends of two)

[dolcecherise]

I am elated to see that Johnny has finally found his own pace and is really at the top of his game! Something tells me he's going to win Nationals this year ...

[pellebravesskylar]

I hope you're right! Johnny is my very favorite. I love Evan, too - but Johnny's grace and passion are unrivaled in skating today. Probably the most graceful man other than Paul Wylie and John Curry that I have ever seen.

[brianjones23e]

Beautiful a sensitive performance!!

Sure Johnny Weir would approve.

[1814Brandan]

Johnny is way better than Evan from a skating standpoint, but Evan doesn't have as much mouth. If Johnny could SUAS, I'd love him forevah....

[ejasiewicz]

Wah? Evan's response after the skate "*I'm* doing the hard stuff..." was pretty darn mouthy. Talk about a sore loser.

[vanillabeanfrap7]

SUAS? wats that?

[1814Brandan]

Shut up and skate...

[vanillabeanfrap7]

o0o k

[yolandaq]

Weir V. Lysacek is getting quite interesting. For a matter of fact, Weir V. World is getting quite interesting.

[AlessaAnna]

ditto^^^

[asianamericanfocus]

Terrific performance! Hope he will recapture the US national title!

[ClayCarlos]

Not loving the 3 axels in a row. However, I assume the second 3axel will eventually be a quad, and the third 2axel will be a second 3axel? Even so, I do not think the first three jumps should be 2 3axels and a quad. The second 3axel should come much later in the program. Viktor Petrenko used to front load his programs, and I never liked it. Considering how close Evan came to him, I feel he should try to get more points by putting the second triple axel after the half way point in the program.

[floatingweeds]

Totally agree with you, but what he achieved here is something amazing-made all basic movements and elements textbook perfect instead of add point-making elements and skate in-between loosely, which most skaters do. I can sense that he does not agree with it. Doing something different needs courage, and proving it needs talent+hard work. He probably went through boring basics everyday, like HANON piano exercises for skating :) He'll work on what you mentioned if he can establishes this farther.

[ClayCarlos]

You are correct. I hope I did not come off as being negative? Bottom line, Johnny just got back in the game. After a couple mediocre years, he has just proved that he is the one to beat at Nationals. Heck, I will crawl out on a limb here and say, if he continues on this track, he is the one to beat at Worlds this year. With a few tweaks here and there (in order to increase points),not to mention the quad, he could very possibly be unbeatable! Clay

[trav16z]

I think Johnny is doing two 3 axel at the beginning, because he has heavily struggled with doing the 2nd 3axel past the two minute mark over the past two yrs. He usually pops or messes up the 2nd one.

Anyway, I love the program hope he wins Nationals and finally wins a World medal. Smooth like butter on ice.

[spacecowboym1]

Well, it is very much the Russian style in general to front load the programs a la Yagudin and Plushenko, etc. It doesn't surprise me considering he often uses Russian choreographers, switched to a Russian coach, and generally like all things Russian. I agree it is less than ideal, but in the new system the triple axel would only gain him about 1 extra point by being late in the program, and it might be more dangerous than helpful in their minds.

[timtim66]

One word - lyrical!

[lain000]

quien dijo k no podia ganarle a lysacek

jajaja johnny is the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[lisaa86]

spero che quest'anno jonny sia competitivo al massimo..perchè è un ottimo pattinatore

[bigacska]

ohhh gosh..finally i've seen something great from him again,like years ago...very beautiful:D

[mexico2014]

OMG... wow... thats all i can say!! he surprised me a lot!! this was beautiful!!!

[AlessaAnna]

one word: GOOSEBUMPS!

[brianjones23e]

Beautiful,absolutely beautiful!!!

Johnny Weir is a genis.

This is great thank you for sharing.

[StereoTypeA]

YES!!! Good for him. And I'm loving this music. I'm adapting to the hair...

[sansirocain]

Actually,our Johnny finally returns!I could still remember his performance,2004 in Japan.He`s amazing and talented now and always.

[kwillyau]

That was a really good skate. Hope he can keep it up this season because he is very good. I think the programme probably needs some more work choregraphically but it wasn't bad. Better than last year.

[penb]

When he (and the rest of the skaters) finally figure out how to perfect choreography for the new scoring systems -- we're going to be just as blown away as we were back when they started figuring out how to jump in the last 70s/early 80s. I can't wait.

Figure about 3-4 years from now for that breakthrough performance to happen. I wouldn't be at all surprised if it's Johnny.

[ir8chick]

Genius!

[floatingweeds]

He is one of the rare skaters now can present the quality and beauty of figure skating. He executed the basic movements surely and beautifully without any frills here. I feel the audiences and judges both started to forget the basics of figure skating--harmony of athletic, smooth and graceful body movements and music. Too many skaters focus on the entertainment aspect of it--using hip hop movement, or adding a fake drama. Thank you Johnny, for your "work of art."

[karina917]

I totally agree with you. Figure skating is becoming so fake and robotic. Most of the female skaters out there, like Mao Asada or even Kimmie, are so boring, even Emily Hughes is better in my opinion for she adds energy to her programs, but I think the "real" best skaters are johnny and sasha. The are both so artistic and athletic at the same time. Love them!=)

[pellebravesskylar]

You absolutely nailed it with your description of Johnny. He really is an incredible skater. I sure hope he gets his national title back - felt so sorry for him when he cried last year. And Johnny needs a world medal to add to his collection - preferably gold!

[delicatecutter]

I'm glad he won but I don't really like this program.

[sixfootpianist7]

I'm glad he won. But I think he got lucky because Evan didn't have a clean performance.

[icicling]

I really like his costume. Simple design, with intracate details. ^_^ He must be so pleased!

[jackYYY123]

WOO! johnny! he so awsome and im glad he won! something told me he would! i like both his music :)

[brandidelain]

He rocked that program! Yeah, Baby!!!

Denis did a great job on the choreo, and Johnny delivered the goods! His jumps were fantastic! His triple axel is a work of art. And how smooth is he? Just...WOW. Nobody moves like Johnny. I'm SO happy to see him on top again.

CONGRATS, JOHNNY!!!

[Fun4ever12345678]

Welcome Back Johnny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ohioweatherguy]

His energy held up quite well. He didn't have a particularly notable slow section to catch his breath. Looks like he's put in a lot of effort over the summer & fall to get into great shape for this season. Hope it continues. I've missed this Johnny.

[mungiuri]

loved it!!!! and love the hair too!!!

[vtudorica]

with a performance such as that he could even become world champion

[fatelinegod19]

You fell into extreme dullness and spent a very hard season, but you was good and revived.

This program is not 4T.

But This is almost perfect peformance at present.

Thank you Jonny.

[CarolineMaoYuna]

lol, those girls went crazy for johnny

[skatesindreams]

This is the Johnny Weir that I've missed. Welcome back!

[escaflowne9282]

AWESOME! WTG Johnny (not sure about the Dot Hammill hairdo tho)

[bijoux26]

Thanks, its so great to see him on the top podium again.

[starlet4682]

Needs more attack, but it's *nearly* perfect. GO JOHNNY!!

[goofymidget82]

I think I'm officially in love with Johnny again. I've believed he's probably the most talented guy out there, but lately I've come to expect disappointing performances from him. I actually screamed when I saw his scores this morning! It looks like this coaching change has really pushed him to work harder. GO JOHNNY! :-)

[Tonichelle]

yay for Denis Petukhov's choreography!