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The latest on Johnny

Johnny Weir wins Bronze in Sweden.

Weir stays focused

March 6, 2008

By BEVERLEY SMITH

Johnny Weir walks in controversy. Drama is his best friend. He's never boring, rather refreshing and sometimes oddly sensible. And sometimes not.

But this season, Weir, the current U.S. figure-skating men's silver medalist, has charted a course to the top, reversing a trend of theatrical statements and disappointments and a habit of going up in flames in mid-competition.

He's winning, skating as well as he ever has, and is not afraid to say he can see himself as the world champion by the time that event ends March 23 in Gothenburg, Sweden.

"What's the point of going to the competition if you don't think you can win it?" he said bluntly yesterday during a conference call.

Weir finished eighth at the world championships last year in Tokyo. His best effort at worlds was a fourth during the 2004-05 season. He's a three-time U.S. national champion, but he couldn't score the past two years.

But this season, he's a different animal, focused and consistent, with new coach Galina Zmievskaya, who guided the mercurial Oksana Baiul to a gold medal at the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics.

Weir scored epic wins at the Cup of China and Cup of Russia, defeating two-time world champion Stéphane Lambiel of Switzerland both times. Weir was magnificent at the U.S. nationals last month, but finished second to archrival Evan Lysacek.

Incredibly, the two of them finished in a tie - earning the same score to the hundredth of a point - but Lysacek was given the win because he'd won the free-skate program.

It's no secret the two skaters aren't best pals, nor are they at all alike. Lysacek is the thundering technician, Weir the soft-kneed artist.

At the Cup of China, Weir defeated Lysacek, who finished second. At the Grand Prix Final last December, Lysacek defeated Weir.

"I've already been told there are certain networks in the United States that want Evan and I to skate at every competition together, just to make some kind of TV ratings and to make interest in figure skating again," Weir said yesterday.

There are positives to having a rivalry going. Lysacek pushes Weir to be better, he says. Yet he knows Lysacek isn't the only male skater in the world.

"Sometimes, I am upset that I have to be double-billed, just because Evan and I are at the same level and competing for the same country," Weir said. "There are so many similarities between the two of us as far as the sport goes, but so many differences as far as the personalities go.

"I was Johnny Weir long before I knew who Evan Lysacek was, and I will be Johnny Weir long after we've done our competition careers. ... I am a single skater. I don't skate on a team. And I'm Johnny Weir, not the second half of the double-billing for the U.S. men's team."

That being said, it doesn't sound as if Weir endured much angst at losing to Lysacek in such unusual circumstances last month.

"I may not love the new scoring system and I may not love judging in particular, but I do compete under the same rules as everyone else and I still abide by the rules and abide by the fact that once the result is posted, that's the result," he said.

But he can happily say he doesn't know whether he actually deserved to be the U.S. national champion or not. He didn't see Lysacek skate and has heard all the rumblings about controversial scoring methods through the media.

"But I'm the U.S. silver medalist and there's nothing wrong with that," Weir said. "I skated two strong performances that I'm very proud of and, as far as I'm concerned, I'm happy and I will definitely not claim to be smarter than a computer."

He says Japanese skater Daisuke Takahashi, the 2007 world silver medalist, is the favourite this time out, even though Lambiel defeated him at the Grand Prix Final.

But in the next year or two, there may be a new - or old - challenge. There are reports from Russia that 2006 Olympic champion Evgeni Plushenko is making a comeback after two years off and has set his sights on the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

Weir doesn't think it will be all that easy for the Russian star to pick up where he left off. The men at the top now are very strong, the American said.

After watching a satellite performance of Plushenko at the Russian nationals this year, Weir concludes he is not of the standard he was during the 2006 Turin Olympic season.

"But he can get into shape very quickly, and I know that won't be the hard part for him," he said.

Johnny withdraws
from Four Continents

January 30, 2008

Three-time U.S. champion Johnny Weir announced today his withdrawal from the 2008 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, taking place in Seoul, Korea, Feb. 11-17. Weir will be replaced by Jeremy Abbott, who finished fourth at last week’s 2008 U.S. Figure Skating Championships.  

"My coach, Galina Zmievskaya, and I decided not to go to the 2008 Four Continents Championships a couple days after my return from Saint Paul and the 2008 U.S. Championships,” said Weir, who won the silver medal at the event. “The U.S. Championships were very exhausting physically and emotionally, and I want to be completely fresh for whatever competitions I enter.”

Weir is still on schedule to compete in the upcoming 2008 World Championships, taking place March 17-23 in Gothenburg, Sweden.

“I am back on the ice already preparing for the World Championships in Sweden, but the trip to South Korea and competing again just a few weeks after the U.S. Championships seemed too tall an order,” Weir said. “I am completely focused on performing well and competing with the world’s best in Sweden. I’ll be rooting for all the U.S. skaters at Four Continents.”

The Four Continents Championships will take place at the Seongsa Ice Rink and will begin on Wednesday, Feb. 13 with the compulsory dance and the pairs and men’s short programs.

Tie gives Johnny Silver
at National Championships

January 27, 2008

Johnny and Evan Lysacek came up with the same combined score after the men's free skate Sunday at the U.S. National Championships in St. Paul, Minnesota, but Evan's win in the free skate gave him the title. Johnny will take home the silver and a trip to the World Championships in March.

The two — who have combined to win the last five U.S. crowns — both finished with 244.77 points. But Lysacek won the free skate, 162.72 to 161.37, and that’s the tiebreaker.

“I’m very happy with my performance and happy that I could show the work that I’ve put in,” he said. “The scoring, first, second place — it really doesn’t matter. I’m just happy with the way I skated.

“I was as close as possible to getting (the title) back again. I’m proud of that,” Weir said. “You want to say, ‘Yeah, it’s a competition and you go for first or second place,’ but this is my life. I live my life on an ice rink.

“For me at times first and second place isn’t so important. If I’m happy with my performance, that’s it.”

After the short program

Johnny earned 83.40 points, the highest-ever total for a U.S. man's short program in national or international competition.

"I was pleased I could turn in a clean performance and get the monkey off my back of, 'Oh my God, I'm back at nationals again and last year wasn't very good,'" said Johnny, who finished a distant third to Lysacek at nationals after falling on one jump and popping another in his free skate.

"I'm excited to do the long program and get it over with and see what the future will hold for me."

Johnny leads Evan Lysacek (82.05) by 1.35 points. Stephen Carriere, last year's junior world champion, was third with 76.66. Ryan Bradley, last year's silver medalist, was fourth with 74.20 points.

"I hope Evan can skate well," Weir said just before Lysacek took the ice. "I hope he can get over the nerves of coming back and trying to repeat as national champion. I've had to deal with it before and it's a hard thing to do. So I hope he makes it interesting and throws all his cards on the table and skates well."

Johnny was very deliberate and determined as he checked off one required element after another. His triple lutz-triple toe loop combination was done with ease and control, and he was one of the few competitors who not only landed a triple axel, but did a nice one.

His footwork was light and a perfect match for the music, and he had a nice touch at the end, tapping an imaginary key as the last piano note sounded.

 “I am excited to show a new, stronger Johnny Weir," Johnny said.  “With a new coach (Galina Zmievskaya), and show performances I can be proud of, I am confident, and I’m definitely going after my fourth U.S. title.”

 Since taking a four-day break over Christmas, Weir has been a lot of time grinding away at perfecting the quad jump.

 "I'm going 100 percent for that title," the 23 year-old, who won the U.S. Championship from 2004-2006, said: "My training regimen last season was a little bit lazy. It was hard for me to get myself up to work every day, because it was after a long Olympic season and a long summer of touring.

 “Galina Zmievskaya is very, very demanding and very structured and it’s a completely different way of working for me. I’ve been going in to all of my competitions very prepared; I can go and really fight."

 Despite winning two Grand Prix titles (Cup of Russia and Cup of China) this fall without a quad, Weir hopes his renewed work ethic will help him land the jump in his free skate (to Yoav Goren’s "Love is War") in Saint Paul. His short program music is “Yuona I Avos” by Svetlana Pikous.

 “We are training the quad toe, which should make people happy,” he said with a laugh. “I am planning on doing it. I land it more than I miss it in my program run through and I'm excited to add that. Of course, at Christmastime I had my days of vacation and I gained that Christmas weight a little bit, and it took a week to get that off. I’ve had my ups-and-downs since the Grand Prix Final.

 As much as my bones hate me for it, I am training the quad in the program on a daily basis and also out of the program on a daily basis. We’re also training the quad Salchow and working on making the triple Lutz and triple flip bigger, so maybe next season we can start working on quads with those jumps.”

 When asked about the current U.S. Champion, Evan Lysacek, Weir said, “I think there is a rivalry, we're competing for the same title. I think it’s exciting for figure skating and, especially, U.S. men’s skating. That’s where I see the rivalry ending. It doesn't matter to me so much what he does in his life or on the ice or what his results are; he's just another person out there, in my opinion.”

 Weir made major life changes this year, he changed coaches, moved to New Jersey, and is living on his own for the first time. That means he has to clean his apartment, cook, deal with his own schedule and make his own phone calls. “The first week I lived alone I slept with a huge kitchen knife next to my bed,” he said. “And I was a little homesick at first.”

 Weir has a new lease on life, he said. “I love going into New York City at least twice a week, and I’m even becoming an aggressive New York driver.”

 Discussing the declining popularity of skating, Weir has his opinion of what is happening. “Skating depends on the ladies,” he said. “In my opinion, viewship is brought in by a strong female athlete. After Sasha (Cohen), Michelle (Kwan) and Irina (Slutskaya), left the competitive ranks, there was a drop because of all new faces and all new girls. The new girls are all so young. They're impressive, but they don’t have that star quality yet. Sasha, Michele and Irina made skating so exciting in late ’90s. We’re in between generations where women are concerned.”

 Skating is very popular around the world,” according to Weir.

 “I have a huge international following in Russia and Japan. I feel like they’re my home country. A good, strong audience can help a performance get under your skin and give you that strong energy. It can mean the world. At the Cup of Russia, I was treated like a Russian. It was so loud when I took the ice. It helped me find the energy to skate and fight.”

 “Fans have come from Japan to watch me practice in New Jersey. They came to the ice rink everyday to watch me train and say ‘hi’. I’ve also had fans from Russia come over. I get more and more fan mail everyday from all around the world -- even Saudi Arabia and Fiji. I have great fans and friends all over the world.”

 Weir realizes his biological clock is ticking. “I will be 24 next year, but some friends and I decided that when we turn 25, we will start going backward. So after I turn 25, the next year I will be 24 again. I feel like I’m 16 coming to my first nationals. I still feel young.”

The championship men's short program will be Friday at p.m., and the championship men's free skate will be Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

 Johnny wins Cup of Russia,
second Grand Prix gold

November 24, 2007

Johnny Weir blew away the field in the free skate Saturday at the Cup of Russia to win his second Grand Prix Series event of the season. Second after the short program, Weir scored 149.81 for the free skate to take the title by more than 11 points. The win earns him a spot in next month's Grand Prix Final.

Weir won the men's title with a program that was less adventurous but more successful than that of Stephane Lambiel, the two-time world champion from Switzerland, who finished second.

Weir was less than half a point behind Lambiel going into the free program and ended more than 11 points ahead. That gave him his second Grand Prix gold of the year with a score of 229.96, and a sure berth in the Grand Prix Final.

In the absence of a quad, Weir relied on consistency in his free skate, hitting all of his jumps with assurance, including the opening triple Axel-triple toe loop.

Weir, who has developed a huge and vocal following among young Russian women, said he was boosted by the crowd reaction.

"It was like a royal welcome," he said.

 Johnny wins Cup of China

 November 10, 2007

 Three-time United States National Champion Johnny Weir is back on top.

 Johnny, who promised a new year of focused training with championship results, won the Cup of China in the Harbin Sports Center in the northeastern province of Heilongjiang.

 “I was very excited with my performance today,” said Johnny. “It is the first time in a long time that I felt really comfortable on the ice and I think it’s due to a new training regimen and just harder work in general. I am so happy it’s paying off with good performances. I am just so happy to be back on top,” said Johnny.

Johnny’s victory is his first since winning his third U.S. Championship in January 2006. It was his first Grand Prix victory since 2004 at Trophee Eric Bompard Cachemire in Paris.

His stunning, come-from-behind win over teammate Evan Lysacek, marked several firsts as Johnny wowed the crowd. Johnny’s total score of 231.78 was his overall best and beat Lysacek (229.36) by 2.42 points.

Johnny’s near-perfect freeskate featured eight triples, including a triple Axel-triple toeloop combination. His spins, among his trademark moves, were spectacular and were rewarded with high marks.

Johnny trailed Lysacek by only 1.75 points (81.55-79.80) after the short program. Johnny’s program, “Yunona and Avos” choreographed by Faye Kitarieva, included a triple Lutz-triple toeloop combination, a high triple Axel, a triple flip as well as two level-four spins.

“I was excited with (my short) performance after a kind of shaky warm up,” Weir said. “I handled my nerves well and for the first Grand Prix of the season to come very close to my personal best (80.00 at 2006 Olympics) and to feel like I skated well makes me happy.”

It was Johnny’s first competition under new coach Galina Zmievskaya and choreographers Denis Petukhov, Kitarieva and Nina Petrenko. He also earned his best personal freeskate score with 151.98 points (previous best 146.20 set 3 years ago). And it was his first competition with his new program skated to “Love Is War” performed by Yoav Goren. Petukhov choreographed Johnny’s freeskate.

Johnny made it clear earlier this year he moved to New Jersey to train with Zmievskaya, the former coach of 1994 Olympic champion Oksana Baiul, only to get a different perspective in his training and choreography. Hill coached Johnny from his first competitions through three U.S. titles and the Olympics and Worlds.

Johnny earned 15 points and will try to assure his spot in the Final at the Cup of Russia held in Moscow in two weeks.

In 2006 Weir garnered silver at Cup of Russia and bronze at Skate Canada. He withdrew from the Grand Prix Final due to injury.

Johnny’s freeskate triple jump routine, in order:

Axel-triple toe
Axel
Lutz
Salchow
Loop
Lutz-double toe
Flip
Two spins graded level four
Two spins graded level three

New programs

July 31, 2007

Johnny has selected new programs for the 2007-2008 competitive season.

He will skate to "Yunona I Avos" for his short program, choreographed by Faye Kitarieva. His free skate will be to "Love is War" by Globus. His long program is being choreographed by Denis Petukhov.

A coaching change

June 30, 2007

Johnny has announced that he will relocate from The Pond in Delaware to begin permanent training with Galina Zmievskaya at the Ice Vault rink in Wayne, N.J., in preparation for the competitive season. Johnny said the move is because he feels a major change is necessary to advance his results heading toward the 2010 Olympics. He issued a statement to International Figure Skating magazine about leaving longtime coach Priscilla Hill:

"I'm excited for the new outlook and direction that I'll get from skating with Galina Zmievskaya and her group. I have been thinking about this change for some time, and as much as it hurts to leave Priscilla, my mother figure for the last 10 years, it is something I had to do.

"Priscilla understands my need for a change, because she did it herself in her own skating career when she moved to train with Carlo Fassi. She's given so much to my career, and I will miss seeing her everyday. The coaching switch was prompted because we grew too close. It's hard to train under your 'mother' and we had learned to push each other's buttons and work each other's nerves. She is an amazing person and we parted mutually, on good terms. There was no drama, no huge falling out. It was just time for a change."

Johnny has been assigned to compete in two Grand Prix competitions this season. His first is Cup of China, Nov. 8-11, in Beijing, China, and his second is Cup of Russia, Nov. 22-25, in Moscow, Russia.

Johnny finishes 8th
at World Championships

March 22, 2007

Johnny Weir finished 8th at the World Championships in Tokyo, admitting it was not one of his better performances.

Weir opened with a beautiful triple Axel-triple toe, but then his program unraveled and he hit only four more triples.
 
“Obviously today wasn’t a great performance, but I still fought through the whole thing,” Weir said. “I’m glad that I ended the season fighting. I didn’t give up at all, and that’s something I’m very proud of, and now I’m just excited to get home and take a little break and then get back to work for next season so I don’t have another season like this.”

Johnny in 4th after
short program at Worlds

March 21, 2007

Johnny Weir is in fourth following the short program at the 2007 World Figure Skating Championships in Tokyo, Japan, within striking distance of the podium. Brian Joubert of France is in first, followed by Jeffrey Buttle of Canada.
 
Weir’s skating skills and style overcame a slight stumble out of the triple flip and a little problem with his straight line step sequence. He cleanly landed his triple Axel and triple Lutz-triple toe.
 
"This wasn’t as crummy as it could have been,” the U.S. bronze medalist said. “I knew Joubert had skated great and posted a high number. I wanted to keep the (energy) level in the building up. I was disappointed with the flip naturally, but overall I’m fine with it. I’m at peace with this program, and I can finally put my horse to sleep (referencing the chess piece on his costume).”
 
The men's free skate is Thursday night.

Johnny's Nationals streak
ends, earns berth on
World team

January 27, 2007

Johnny Weir missed winning the U.S. National Championship at Spokane, Washington but finished third to earn a berth on the World team.

Johnny was trying to win his fourth straight U.S. Championship to tie legendary skater Brian Boitano but a couple of mistakes cost him that opportunity.

Evan Lysacek won the championship and Ryan Bradley was second.

Johnny just missed his quad attempt when he double-footed it and a couple of other jump miscues sealed the win for Lysacek.

Johnny will join Team USA when it competes at Tokyo at the World Championships at March. It will be Johnny’s fourth trip to Worlds. His highest finish is fourth in 2005.

Johnny finishes 2nd
at Marshalls

December 10, 2006

Johnny Weir finished second in the Marshalls U.S. Figure Skating Challenge at Boston University.

Johnny got the most points in the first round among his East Coast teammates. Sasha Cohen, his teammate on the U.S. Olympic team and good friend, won the competition.

Johnny received 33 percent of the votes to Cohen’s 53 percent.
"I'm still surprised that as many people voted for me as they did," Johnny said. "Even though I got second, I was still pretty close to Sasha, and she's like the darling of American figure skating now."

Johnny unanimously won his bracket in the first round by completing four triple jumps with his program to Frank Sinatra’s “My Way.” He had a solid second performance in which he landed a triple toe and triple flip. Johnny’s final round was highlighted by a modified version of his 2006 competitive free skate to “The Swan,” and once again floated across the ice.

The expert judges – Peggy Fleming, Dick Button and Peter Carruthers – praised Weir's emotion. However, they did not get a vote.

Johnny, the three-time defending men's national champion, is attempting to become the first men's skater to win four straight national titles since Brian Boitano from 1985-88.

Johnny heads to St. Petersburg, Russia this week for the ISU Grand Prix Final. After that, he’s back in the U.S. preparing for the U.S. Championships, Jan. 21-28, in Spokane, Wash.

Johnny returns to his home town
to donate $1,000 and talk to kids

December 3, 2006

By Joan Kern
Lancaster New Era

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. - They wanted to know if he is rich, what his dreams are and if he will ever live in Quarryville again.

Olympic ice skater and three-time national skating champion Johnny Weir
returned to Quarryville Elementary School Friday to visit the students at
his former school and donate $1,000 for library books.

Weir, 22, of Newark, Del., was characterized as having a diva moment for
complaining to the media after finishing well behind gold medalist Evgeni
Plushenko at the Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, in February.

He appears to have matured immensely since then.

Weir, who attended Quarryville Elementary from kindergarten to fourth grade, spoke with honesty and sincerity to 20 students in Robyn Chegwidden’s second-grade class in the library and in two assemblies.

He told the children that he’s not rich yet and that his dreams are to win a
gold medal, live in New York City, become a fashion designer and perhaps go to college.

As for returning to Quarryville, he said he returns often to visit his
grandparents, Robert and Marcella Moore, of Willow Street, and aunt and
uncle, Diane and Joel Neff, of Quarryville.

"And we love the food at Fergie's," he said, referring to the local
supermarket, Ferguson-Hassel.

Dressed in blue jeans, a white Olympic jacket and red suede Louis Vuitton
loafers with gold buckles, Weir returned to Lancaster County, known for its
strong work ethic, with a message that hard work can make dreams come true.

Israeli National ice dancers Alexandra and Roman Zaretsky accompanied Weir, along with a crew from Retribution Media, which is making an independent film about him.

He said he credits his fourth-grade teacher, Mrs. Balderston, who was at the
first assembly, with teaching him the value of hard work.

"She was upset because I couldn't memorize the multiplication tables," he
said. "I couldn't play (at recess) until the last two minutes, when I
finally got them right."

He spoke about how hard his parents, John and Patti Weir, worked to keep his family, which includes a younger brother, Brian, together while allowing him to follow his dreams to become an Olympic champion, how hard he continues to work for his dream to come true in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, and how hard it was to do less than his best with 22 million people watching him at the 2006 Winter Olympics.

"It was hard to know all these people saw me, and I didn't do very well," he
said about his fall from second to fifth place at the Olympics. "Anything that knocks you down can make you stronger," he said. "There's an upside with every downside."

Weir said in an interview before the assembly that he donated the money for the books to the school because he wanted to give something back.

"Reading is obviously important," he said. "It shapes your whole education."
He brought along a list of book titles and topics, including history and
languages — he has taught himself to speak a little Russian — that he would like the school to purchase with his gift.

Weir, who said he "fell in love" with Russia when he first went there to
skate three years ago, is known as a "Russophile" (the love of all things
Russian) and has miniature long-haired Chihuahuas named Bon-Bon and Vanya (the Russian word for "Johnny").

He was still jet-lagged from a recent flight from Russia, where he placed
second — after France's Brian Joubert, "the best in the world" according to
Weir — in men's singles in the Cup of Russia.

He stopped in Quarryville on his way to skating performances in New York and Boston, before returning to Russia for the Grand Prix Final and two
performances in Red Square.

But he took time out of his hectic schedule to deliver the check in person
because he said he has fond memories of the school and Quarryville. "I've been to Japan, Russia, China, almost around the world," he said. "But
I have never forgotten where I came from.

"You can do anything — even when you start out in a town that has horse and buggies — and go anywhere," he said in the first assembly. "The school made me what I am today."

He urged the children "to work very hard," suggesting that reading well is
just as important as skating well.

"If you read enough, then you can read an entire novel," he said. "If I
skate well, I can go to the Olympics."

Johnny wins silver
at Cup of Russia

November 25, 2006

Johnny Weir won the silver medal at Cup of Russia in Moscow and the 13 points he earned puts him in position for a berth in the Grand Prix Series final in mid-December. There is one more GP competition – NHK next week – with three skaters in position to move ahead of Weir.

Weir finished second to Brian Joubert at Cup of Russia who leads the GP Series with two first place finishes worth 30 points.

Weir, performing to "Child of Nazareth" by Maxime Rodriguez, finished fifth in the freeskate. His second place finish in the short program gave him plenty of cushion to hold onto his margin for the silver medal.

He opened his freeskate program with a triple Axel followed by a triple toeloop and a triple Lutz. Weir then ran into some difficulty as he singled one triple, doubled another and didn't try the second half of three planned combinations.

He came back with a triple flip and a triple Salchow-double toeloop. Weir was not as solid with his spins, as in his past competitions. His combination spin was rated a level two but his flying sit spin was a level four. "The thing I'm happy with is that I could make the mistakes and come back from them," Weir said.

“In Canada everything just kept unraveling and kept getting worse and worse, but today, towards the end I found some energy, some power and I could finish without falling down and without dying or killing myself. That was a plus. The performance was better than at Skate Canada, and that’s what I wanted to do here. Having the support of the audience here helped me get through that last two minutes of the program,” said Weir.

Weir was in command of his short program to build a solid lead halfway through the competition. He landed a solid triple Axel, triple Lutz-triple toeloop combination and a triple flip. Weir showed his trademark fast spins, earning a level four for the flying sit spin and a level three for the change foot sit spin and the combination spin.

“My performance here was an improvement from Skate Canada and Campbell’s Cup, the first event. I hope to continue to improve every competition and always to make it better. My score wasn’t better than at Skate Canada, but I felt a lot more comfortable skating here. I’ve trained harder for this event than I had for Skate Canada, and I felt more prepared”, Weir said after his short program.

He still said there was room for improvement in his short program. “My performance was about 80 percent, 75 percent. It wasn't the best I can do, the most I can give,” he said. “It is still the beginning of the season. I didn't start training until August. I have been sick off and on since I have been home. I have been very busy.

“I haven't had time to get into the groove really,” he said.

Russian fans support Weir

November 24, 2006

Johnny Weir has long professed his love for Russia.

He has learned the language to hold casual conversations with his Russian touring teammates, wore a jacket during the Torino Olympics and other clothing with Russia in bold lettering while touring with Champions On Ice.

The Russian fans have also shown their support by claiming Weir as one of their own. During the Cup of Russia Weir was cheered during practices, warm-ups and after each program. He was one of the most sought after competitors for autographs throughout the competition.

Weir spent about 10 minutes trying to get through the group of adoring fans waiting backstage looking for an autograph, picture or a chance to speak a little Russian with him after the short program. Weir obliged with some Russian small talk.

He calls Moscow and St. Petersburg among his favorite places to visit.

“I just love walking around seeing Moscow,” Weir said. “I am so excited every time I am in Moscow and St. Petersburg and look forward to seeing more of it. I am seeing as much as I can in the few hours I have away from skating.”

If Weir qualifies for the Grand Prix Series Final in mid-December, he will enjoy a return trip to Russia, this time in St. Petersburg.

Johnny wins bronze at Skate Canada

November 4 , 2006 Johnny Weir won his first medal of the 2006-2007 competitive season with a bronze at Skate Canada at Victoria, British Columbia Saturday. Weir was second after the short program but finished fourth in the free skate to fall behind winner Stephane Lambiel of Switzerland and Daisuke Takahashi of Japan. Lambiel climbed all the way from seventh in the short to first. Weir’s bronze medal finish earned him 11 points and a strong showing at the Cup of Russia later this month could earn him a position in the Grand Prix Finals in mid-December. Weir debuted his new free skate program, “Child of Nazareth” by Maxime Rodriguez. Former Olympic gold medalist Marina Anissina choreographed the program. Weir nailed a triple Lutz, triple toeloop, a triple Axel and a level-four flying sit spin. He touched down with his hand on his first triple Axel and stepped out of a triple Salchow. “I’m also very lucky to have a medal here. I haven’t done so many doubles since I was really low level. I’m happy to have the first competition out of the way, and now I can focus on the Cup of Russia and work hard for that and being as prepared as possible for every competition the rest of this season”, he said.

Johnny debuts program in Team USA victory

October 15, 2006 Three-time U.S. National Champion Johnny Weir had a magnificent start to his 2006-2007 season at the Campbell’s Cup competition in Cincinnati, Ohio Sunday. Johnny debuted his new short program and a new look to “King of Chess” by Silent Nick. Marina Anissina, former Olympic gold medalist ice dancer, choreographs the program. The program was developed just after the COI Tour ended, less than two months ago. “I think today went very well,” said Weir. Johnny and his USA teammates beat Japan in the men's competition to earn the $60,000 top prize that will be split amng three of them. That will serve as good medicine for Johnny who skated while ill. "I didn't cough during the number, so I was really excited," said Johnny. He came into the competition battling the flu and his skating performance was not quite 100 percent. Marina and Johnny toured with Champions of Ice this past summer and discussed partnering on a new look. Marina has steered Johnny to display his strength, character and technique in skating. ABC figure skating analyst Dick Button applauded Johnny’s program. “I think he’s going in the right direction and the right point of view,” said Button. Johnny’s new look incorporates a more masculine style of skating. “I’ve always been known as a balletic and elongated style of skater,” said Weir in an interview with Peter Carruthers of ABC. Afterwards, Johnny told the media: I was happy for the first time out. It wasn't perfect." Johnny's costume was an understated black and white with the chess character of a horse on the front. Johnny left out a planned quad attempt due to his feeling a little ill. However he landed a superb triple Axel and solid triple toe-triple toe combination. He recorded 78.61 points, just under his all-time best score, 83.28 points at last year’s U.S. National Championships. “He has more sharp and straight line moves in this program,” said Button.

 

Johnny to walk runway

May 28, 2006 Johnny is very excited about doing a runway show in New York where he will be walking the runway for Heatherette designs. The show will be in September. According to their Website: Nothing says “trash and flash” like the dazzling New York pop aesthetic of fashion duo Traver Rains and Richie Rich. The former cowboy and infamous club kid birthed their line when a Patricia Field buyer spotted Rich in one of his own leather tops, ordering 20 of them on the spot. Hip hop star Foxy Brown saw the tops at Patricia Field, and asked Rains and Rich to design her outfits for the MTV Video Music Awards. Soon, Lil’ Kim had bought five leather shirts for her tour, and Gwen Stefani wore one of their tops in Entertainment Weekly. The pair has created Hello Kitty couture, crafted sequined and studded mini dresses for Shirley Manson and Paris Hilton, neon, tattered tees for Pink and Justin Timberlake, and crafty, one-of-a-kind looks for David Beckham, Alicia Keys, and Britney Spears. Their crazed-club-kid-meets-award-show-chic designs aren’t for shrinking violets—only paparazzi-stopping exhibitionists need apply. "According to Johnny, he met the pair at a birthday party for Kelley Osbourne. We started talking fashion, and I found out one of them used to be an ice skater. He asked if I would be interested in the runway show. Very cool!"

Johnny to be featured in magazine layout

May 28, 2006 Johnny will be featured in a two-page layout in Black Book Magazine. The photo shoot took place in New York.

Keeping up with Johnny

May 28, 2006 Johnny is currently on the Champions On Ice tour which is crossing the country through August. He's enjoying the tour and taking some time to work on his Russian, as well, "I'm self-taught," he laughs. "But I'm getting better." Johnny also speaks French Johnny is also spending his free time between shows shopping. "I'm a shopaholic," he says. Even when I'm not buy, I like to look around and see what's new and what the styles are, see what people are wearing." Johnny's future includes an apartment in Moscow. "I love the Russian culture," he says. "I love the country. It's something I have a passion for. I really want an apartment in Moscow someday."

 

Weir finishes 7th at World Championships

March 23, 2006 U.S. National Champion Johnny Weir had a difficult freeskate and finished seventh at the World Championships in Calgary, Canada. Weir has been troubled with back problems throughout the week. He finished eighth in the freeskate. Weir landed his first jump, a triple Axel, and followed that with a quad toe, which he two-footed. His jumps were not as crisp as in the past and he fell on his triple flip. After the fall he took a few seconds before continuing his program. “I had back spasms all week and the fall in the warm-up (on the quad toe) aggravated it,” Weir said. “And I kept trying, because I wanted to do the quad so badly, but my body just won’t do it. I’m not happy at all, and I haven’t really wanted to be here all week, but I’m here and I tried and that’s all I can do.” Weir is 6th after short program at Worlds March 21, 2006 Three-time American champion Johnny Weir was sixth after the short program at the World Championships at Calgary, Canada. Weir finished fifth in the short program and was fourth in his qualifying group. Weir is battling a back injury that is causing him so much discomfort, he has considered withdrawing "about every other hour." "I'm made of stronger stuff than that," Weir said. "I'm proving it by skating here." Weir recorded 73.53 points for the short and has a total of 106.91 points. Less than one point separates Weir from fourth place and he is less than eight points within third. Weir lost some valuable points in the short program when he lost his balance on his final combination spin. The men's free skate is Thursday. Weir fourth in Worlds qualifying March 20, 2006 Johnny Weir finished fourth in qualifying group B at the 2006 World Championships at Calgary, Canada. The three-time U.S. National Champion received lower than usual marks for footwork and spins and he had difficulty with three jumps. Weir finished with 133.50 points, 11.40 behind qualifying B leader Nobunari Oda of Japan. He attempted his first quad in international competition. “There’s not a lot of air up here. I realized that tonight while I was skating. It was okay, nothing really special about it. I was skating the program to get through the qualifying round.” Weir said practice has been less than perfect leading up to the qualifying. “I’ve had a rough couple of days. I woke up the other morning with a really bad back spasm so I haven’t been practicing any more than 20 minutes to a half an hour. So I’m excited I pulled in on the quad tonight. So to put it out for the first time in a long time was good for me.” When questioned about his Olympic performance Weir, who finished fifth, said it wasn’t the experience he wanted. "I didn't think I disappointed my country that much with a top-five finish," he said, "or presented myself as anyone but who I am. "I was disappointed to have so much anger directed at me. There was one article grouping me and Michelle Kwan and Bode Miller ... as the biggest failures of the Olympic Games. That is kind of rough." Weir said he the Olympics experience left him enthusiastic to compete at Worlds early on. “I was really disappointed with the Olympics and how it went and then sort of the media circus that I created over there – all the bad things that happened after with fans and media and things like that. I was really disenchanted and I was like, ‘Ah, I don’t need to do Worlds.’ And then I did a few shows and then some of the kids that weren’t doing Worlds were like, ‘It’s really important for your next quadrennium plans to do the next World Championships after the Olympics,’ and they sort of helped me see the light and what I should do.” The men’s short program is Tuesday night. Weir finishes out of medals at Olympics February 16, 2006 Johnny Weir, three-time U.S. National champion, missed the podium in his first Olympic competition at Turin, Italy. Johnny was second, chasing eventual Olympic gold medalist Evgeni Plushenko, coming into the free skate. He changed his free skate after the U.S. Championships back to his original “Otonal” by Raul di Blasio he started the year with. Johnny lost valuable points when he two-footed a triple Axel and only performed one combination jump. “I'm very disappointed in myself. I'm beyond angry with myself right now. My elements weren't strong. I don't deserve a medal tonight; I didn't expect one,” Johnny said The crowd didn’t agree with the judges marking Johnny’s program as the sixth best of the free skate. There were whistles as the marks were posted and as Johnny left the rink. Johnny said a missed bus got him to the rink later than he wanted and prevented him from preparing at his usual pace. He took a car to Palavela arena, arriving at 9:30 p.m., less than an hour before his scheduled warmup. "I missed the bus. They changed the schedule," Johnny told the media. "It was every 10 minutes. Today it was every half-hour. I was late getting here and never caught up to myself, and my body didn’t catch up. I never felt comfortable in this building. I didn't feel my inner peace. I didn't feel my aura. Inside I was black." "I was off, it was an off night," said the 21-year-old Weir. "But I will be back in four years, hopefully for a medal." No sooner than leaving the ice did Johnny begin thinking about the next Olympics in 2010. "I was off, it was an off night. But I will be back in four years, hopefully for a medal.” Weir in second place in Olympic debut February 14, 2006 Three-time U.S. National champion Johnny Weir showcased an error-free program and is in second place at the XX Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy. Johnny scored 80.00 points, just three less than his personal best at the 2006 U.S. Championships but 10 less than leader Evgeni Plushenko. "It's wild. I didn't think anyone would get above 80.00," Johnny said. "I've been touted as America's next medal hope. As long as I go well, I can't see why not,” Johnny said. “I will definitely race for silver.” That was Johnny making reference to how difficult it would be to catch front-runner and favorite Plushenko. Asked if someone could still beat the Russian for the gold, Weir said: "If he falls three times maybe, just maybe, someone can squeeze by." Weir finished fourth at last year’s World Championships, his highest at that event. His elegant portrayal of a swan featured perhaps the best triple axel of the night and a superb pancake spin. His triple flip was shaky, though, as were some other spins, and he didn't hold position very well on his final spin. "It's good, it definitely was not my best. I didn't feel my best and I was tripping all over at the end," he said. "I'm ahead of all three medalists from last year's world championships," Weir said. "But at the same time, it's a very small margin over Stephane (Lambiel)." Lambiel is in third with 79.04 points. "It's over, it's done, it's Valentine's Day and I can go buy myself a rose and some chocolate," Johnny said. Weir begins quest for Olympic medal February 13, 2006 U.S. champion Johnny Weir will compete against a field of strong international competitors when the men's figure skating competition at the Olympic Winter Games gets under way Feb. 14. This is the first Olympic Winter Games that will utilize the International Skating Union’s new judging system, which is based on cumulative points. Three-time and U.S. champion Weir brings his solid jumping technique and grace to Torino. When Weir in "on", he is superb. Those “on” moments include the short program at the 2006 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, where Weir finished so far ahead of the field that even a subpar free skate couldn’t end his reign at the top. “The program definitely wasn’t up to par with my previous two wins,” Weir said after capturing gold at the championships. “There was a lot that I could have done better, but this was by far the hardest year for me to compete, especially after having such a strong lead in the short and not letting that get to my head.” Difficult moments came all too often to Weir this year, so winning the U.S. title again was redemption for figure skating’s most unique personality. He struggled in the season-opening event, finishing fourth behind two fellow U.S. competitors at the Campbell’s Classic. While Weir picked up three medals, including two gold, during the 2004 Grand Prix figure skating season, he picked up just one – a bronze – in 2005. He also struggled with the requirements of the new judging system, which he believed hampered his ability to express himself on the ice. After the U.S. Championships, he dropped the free skate he had been using this season and reverted back to an old favorite, “Otonal,” which he used during his stellar 2004-05 season. Weir will battle a strong field including favorite Evgeni Plushenko of Russia, who was the silver medalist four years ago in Salt Lake City, and defending World champion Stephane Lambiel of Switzerland. The men’s short program takes place at 7 p.m. Johnny Weir Capsule Johnny Weir, United States, 21 -- Flamboyant and outspoken, you never know what Weir will do next. But without a quad, he won't win in Turin. Has been landing quad consistently in practice, but it's a game-time decision for the long program. ... Has taken three straight national titles with combination of graceful routines, particularly in short programs (this year's, "The Swan," is superbly choreographed), and solid jumps. ... Has won two significant international competitions since taking 2001 world juniors, but hasn't medaled at worlds. ... Also has fought off injuries and had to redo much of his programs this season because they lacked difficulty, then decided to redo again for Olympics. .Johnny changes free skate back to 'Otonal' program February 7, 2006 U.S. Figure Skating Association Three-time U.S. champion Johnny Weir and his coach Priscilla Hill decided to change Weir’s free skate program back to the one he performed during the 2004-05 season to “Otonal.” He performed his former 2005-06 program at 2005 Skate Canada, 2005 Cup of Russia and the 2006 U.S. Championships. That program was to music by Maksim Mrvica including “Amazonic,” “Hana’s Eyes” and “Wonderland.” A fter the U.S. Championships in January they decided to revert to his 2004-05 program. “The basic change of the program came because I got to see the video from nationals, and I was bored watching my free program,” Weir said. “There was no power, no passion to the program. We decided to go back to my old program. I have a comfort zone in that I feel more alive with my old music.” Johnny wins third straight U.S. title January 14, 2006 Johnny Weir won his third straight U.S. Championship and led a young team that will accompany him to the Olympics in Turin, Italy next month. Weir, Evan Lysacek and Matt Savoie are the first three newcomers to represent the U.S. at the Olympics since 1976. "It is odd to think back to the last Olympics and think it was Tim (Goebel) and Michael (Weiss) and Todd (Eldredge), and now none of them are here," Weir said Saturday. "It's a little weird and two of them are still skating." Weir finished third in the freeskate but piled up enough points in the short program Thursday to hold off runnerup Lysacek and Savoie. Johnny finished with 225.34 points just enough to edge Lysacek who had 224.47 points and Savoie with 222.36 points. "Having three first-time Olympians is a fresh slate and a new start for U.S. figure skating," Weir said. "Each of us signify something different than our last Olympics team. We're all very, very different people and skaters and characters. I think it's going to be exciting, that there are so many different facets to all of us." "Being the third-time national champion is really an awesome feat," Weir said. "I wasn't quite sure how I would achieve that after the year I've had so far. The program today definitely wasn't up to par with my previous two wins. A lot I could have done better." Weir, who has a tendency to speak his mind and has given media some colorful interviews, described what it felt like before his program. "I was scared skating between the flower children," Weir said as young skaters were picking up the items tossed on the ice for previous skater Ryan Bradley. Weir said he doesn't consider the Olympics any harder than making the U.S. Championships. "I never considered the Olympics any harder than making it through the National Championship," Weir said. "Once you get to the next level you can chill. I feel like I can just soak it in and have a good experience." Weir said he hasn't let the fact that he just qualified for the Olympics. "This is something I dreamed. In my short career it is so new because it happened just twenty seconds ago. "I watched the Olympics. I'm proud of what I've done. I can go home and show my family and friends what I've accomplished and bring them along with me for the ride. "And I'm very happy for Priscilla (long-time coach Priscilla Hill. She missed out on the Olympics because an injury took her out. I am so excited that we can go together to our first Olympics." January 13, 2006 US Skating will meet with Johnny; Freeskate finals scheduled Saturday Johnny Wear will skate for his third consecutive national championship today and his first trip to the Olympics. Johnny has the lead after the short program and is just one skate away to be among three men skaters who will represent the U.S. Olympic team at Turin, Italy next month. On the eve of Johnny's freeskate, US Skating Executive Director David Raith said the organization is planning to talk with Johnny after he used drug references to describe the tempo of his and another competitor's short program. "We have talked to Johnny in the past," Raith said. "Johnny is a flamboyant guy, and he makes different analogies. There are certain analogies that are better than others. At the right moment, we will certainly address that with him." Johnny, on Thursday, compared his slower program to another skater's more crowd pleasing one. "This one they kind of sat back and had their cognac and cigarettes and relax. His was more like a vodka shot, let's snort coke kind of thing," Johnny said at a media conference after his short program on Thursday. "It's not an analogy that I like to hear. But Johnny is outspoken. He is free to state his mind," said Ron Hershberger, president of U.S. Figure Skating. "Again, we provide a forum for athletes to compete at the highest level. Primarily what we ask for them to do is to be superb athletes and compete. "If they can do that and do it successfully, they are rewarded. I'll leave it at that." January 12, 2006 Johnny in first after short at Nationals Johnny Weir is trying for his version of the three-peat as the two-time defending champion won the menÕs short program at the U.S. Championships at the Savvis Center in St. Louis Thursday night. Weir scored a personal-best 83.28 points, almost six points ahead of runnerup Michael Weiss. Weir put his exquisite program into perspective with his colorful comments. "Figure skating is an amazing ride. You're feeling like the lowest scum in the pond two hours ago, and go to the prettiest flower in the pond. It shows you the best and worst attributes,Ó Weir said. World bronze medalist Evan Lysacek was third, scoring 74.03 points. ÒI am very, very, very excited with how today went,Ó Weir said. ÒWith the way practice is going I thought I could skate well but not as well as I did. To score over 80 points is my new personal best. I am just very elated right now. The senior menÕs competition concludes on Saturday with the free skate beginning at 2 p.m. Amber Corwin finished ninth in the ladies short program. The ladies free skate is Saturday.

 

Johnny is featured on the October issue of Blades On Ice.

December 11, , 2005

Johnny wins unique Marshalls Challenge

Johnny Weir won the Marshalls U.S. Figure Skating Challenge in a unique live-televised event.

Johnny skated against Michael Weiss in the second round of the event that was scored by on-line voters, text messaging, fans voting by phone and a select number of people in the Boston University arena,

Johnny skated to “A Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong in the second round.

Peggy Fleming commended Johnny on his poised landings, carriage and posture plus his crowd-pleasing program.

It was a bumpy route to the second round for Johnny.

Johnny’s first round program, skated to “Unchained Melody” was hindered by ABC-TV’s loss of signal for about 20 seconds into the first third of his program. A black screen appeared for several seconds until ABC posted the name of the competition that was the only thing visual to views as his music continued.

Several times within Johnny’s program the signal distorted the viewing and music of his program.

The program resumed but the cutaway disrupted the viewers and possibility cost Johnny a significant amount of votes. In fact ABC first announced that Johnny was behind Matt Savoie. However, it was Weir and Weiss in the finals.

November 26, 2005

Johnny earns bronze at Cup of Russia

Johnny Weir won the bronze medal at Cup of Russia in a successful comeback from an ankle injury less than a month ago at Skate Canada.

Johnny was third after the short program and fell back one spot after the freeskate at St. Petersburg. However he scored enough points to remain on the winner’s podium.

Johnny was pleased with his short program that put him in position to medal. “Today (Friday) was a definite improvement from Skate Canada. I had a really rough time there.”

Johnny injured his ankle during the freeskate at Canada and, despite being in great pain, continued with his program and even completed two more jumps. “I was determined I wasn’t getting off the ice,” Johnny said at Skate Canada.

“I was very happy to go out and have a decent performance today (Friday) and not fall apart the way I did in Canada and not be injured and feel good while I’m skating."

November 3, 2005

Johnny continues preparations for Cup of Russia

By The U.S. Figure Skating Association

Two-time U.S. champion Johnny Weir is back on the ice preparing for his second Grand Prix event after sustaining a sprained ankle while landing the first jump of his free skate at Skate Canada on Oct. 29. Dr. Robert A. Steele of First State Orthopaedics cleared Weir to begin on-ice training today, and Weir said he plans on competing at Cup of Russia Nov. 24-27 in St. Petersburg, Russia.

“Johnny Weir has sustained a minor sprain of the left ankle, probably after making a mechanically incorrect landing during competition over the weekend,” Dr. Steele said on Tuesday. “There is no swelling or tenderness in the ankle to suggest a serious injury, and I think he should be able to resume full practice by the end of the week.”

Weir said his ankle feels strong enough to begin training today.
“I’m actually feeling a lot better,” Weir said. “I’m definitely planning on going to Cup of Russia. I want to keep training, because I was finally starting to feel more comfortable before Skate Canada with my skating and my programs. Hopefully I’ll continue to get better and better and be the best I can be before Cup of Russia. My chances to make the Grand Prix Final are out, but I’m focusing on putting the best performance I can out in Russia, and then focusing on the event in Boston (Dec. 11), and then nationals (Jan. 8-15 in St. Louis, Mo.).”

Weir was in second place following the men’s short program in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, over the weekend. He sprained his ankle when landing his first jump element, a triple toe. Despite the injury he battled through the remainder of his program, finishing seventh overall. His program components, however, received the fourth-highest marks.

“I knew that no matter how much pain I was in I had to finish and that would make me proud that day,” Weir said. “It wasn’t a good program, and I left a lot of content out, but I somehow went from the beginning to the end, and I didn’t give up. It wasn’t desirable to have the first Grand Prix go that way. It’s definitely rough to come in seventh after winning two titles and a silver last year (in the Grand Prix Series), but at the same time I did what I could, and if it was bad or not up to my usual standards, I’ll deal with that, but I’m proud I was able to keep going. Now I just want to regroup and rebuild myself, my confidence and my consistency.”

November 2 , 2005

Johnny gets OK to resume training

Johnny Weir has received the OK to resume training, almost a week after spraining his ankle at Skate Canada.

The doctor’s release has been submitted to the USFSA and the U.S. Olympic Committee.

A formal announcement is expected Wednesday, November 3.

Johnny injured his ankle on impact while trying to land his first jump last Saturday.

Doctors suggested a week of diminished training to allow the ankle to heal.

Johnny was contending for the gold medal in Skate Canada. He was in second entering the free skate.

Despite the pain, Johnny continued to skate and even landed two triple jumps – a triple flip and triple Salchow.

He finished eighth in the free skate and seventh overall.

Johnny’s next competition is Nov. 24-27 at Cup of Russia at St. Petersburg, Russia.

 

October 29, 2005

Weir sprains ankle during free skate

Johnny Weir sprained his ankle when he crashed tryng to land his first jump during his free skate at Skate Canada.

The injury clearly cost Johnny a medal and possibly the gold. Canada's Emanuel Sandhu, sixth after the short program, won the gold, jumping over Weir in the process.

Johnny totaled 107.59 points for the program and 177.59 overall. He earned a seventh place finish. He was fitted for a half-cast on his foot after his skate.

Johnny sprained his left ankle on the landing of his opening jump-- a triple toeloop -- in the free skate. The remaining four minutes was a struggle. He glided around the rink during sections of the program, apparently fighting to stay on the ice versus stopping.

Johnny, unbelievably, gutted through landing a triple flip and triple Salchow combinations after he hurt his ankle.

"He couldn't take the pain, but he didn't want to get off," said Priscilli Hill, Johnny's coach. Hill said Johnny couldn't move his ankle joint after he removed his skating boot.

Johnny's practice status will be determined upon his return home and a visit with his doctors.

October 27, 2005

Weir second after Skate Canada short

Johnny Weir is in second place only 4.28 points behind Canadian Jeffrey Buttle at Skate Canada at St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada.

This is the first of Weir’s two Grand Prix events this season.

He has a narrow lead over Japan’s Takeshi Honda. Buttle has 74.53 points, Weir 70.25 and Honda 67.92.

“It’s just a stepping stone for the competitions at the end of the season," said Johnny of his short program performance.

Johnny appeared to land his triple Axel in the opening jump to his program “The Swan” by Camille Saint-Saens. But he suddenly slipped off the edge on the exit and fell. “I thought I had the jump completely nailed, and I was holding it to make it really pretty and nice, and I fell down. I don’t really understand why I fell and what was going on.

“Obviously, I fell down today. It wasn’t something I was proud of, and it’s something I have to improve upon. But for the first time out in the season it was fine. I’m not expecting to be perfect at Skate Canada,” said Johnnie.

October 8, 2005

Weir finishes fourth at Campbell's International

Johnny Weir begain his official 2005 skating season at the Campbell's International at St. Paul, Minnesota in a strong men's field.

Weir finished fourth with a score of 114.65 points, just .23 points out of third place.

September 20, 2005

Weir competes at Japan International Challenge

Two-time U.S. Champion Johnny Weir finished fourth at the Japan International Challenge.

Weir was among skaters beginning early presentations of their Olympic programs.

July 24, 2005

Johnny's summer schedule

Johnny will be performing at the Hampton Roads Ice Plex on Friday, Aug. 5, in Hampton, Va., and will be performing at the Sun Vally Ice Show on Saturday, Aug. 13.

Johnny also will be featured on the next cover of Blades on Ice magazine.

Johnny wins Silver at Marshalls Challenge

March 29, 2005

Johnny Weir ended his 2004-05 competitive season with a second place finish at the Marshalls U.S. Figure Skating Challenge in Tampa, Fla.

Weir, two-time U.S. National champion, was suffering from a stress fracture to his left foot, his landing foot. It hindered his free skate when he tripped on his first jump and slipped again later in the program.

He received the only 5.9 among the men for artistry.

Weir will be touring with Champions On Ice the remainder of the spring.

Johnny finishes fourth at World Championships

March 17, 2005

Johnny Weir, who also battled with injuries throughout the week and almost withdrew in qualifying on Monday at the World Championships in Moscow, finished fourth, only three points shy of his first World medal.

Weir, a two-time U.S. National Champion, finally ran out of steam near the end of his program and just held on.

My "foot is black and blue and very tired and shaking," Weir said. "You could see I started to get very tired on the step sequence at the end. I fell on the circular steps (and) the jumps weren't all that sure. It is quite obvious I am not feeling my best right now in the foot."

Weir’s circular stepwork that was supposed to end in a double Axel ended in a slip. He two-footed a double flip that was scheduled to be a combination late in the program.

"More than anything I am just proud of myself that I got through all three phases of the competition," he said. "I didn't totally embarrass myself. I think now I am finally a true champion. Skating is very hard for me right now. Going into the competition knowing I am not perfect is very difficult for me. I did the best I could and that is all I ask for right now."

Injuries plague Johnny
at World Championships

March 15, 2005

Johnny Weir fell on his first jump, a triple Axel, during the short program at the World Championships in Moscow, leaving him in seventh place. He has an ailing left landing foot. The injury, sesamoiditis, required two injections of lidocaine before the qualifying round and