journal

Friday, September 22, 2000
Hi Everyone!

Sorry it's been so long since I've written. I've been really busy. About 3 weeks before I was to leave for France I was diagnosed with an exposed nerve in my foot. I had to heavily pad it when I skated, and skating was very painful for me. I had to push through it though, so I could compete in France.

In the second week of August I went to New York with one of my best friends, Jodi Rudden. She is my ex pair partner for those of you who don't know that. We spent two days shopping, eating, and walking around the best city in the world. It was a really nice weekend before the following when I flew to France for my first Junior Grand Prix appearance since last year.

We flew overnight and landed in Paris at about 7a.m. We then took a flight to Geneva, Switzerland. After we got into Geneva we road a bus to the small mountain town of Saint Gervais. It was gorgeous. The flowers were all in bloom and there was fresh snow on the mountains. It was hot. It was so nice. The following day, Monday, I had my first official practice. It went very well, as did my other practice of the day. The following day was my short program. I drew to skate second to last. It was a great spot for me to skate. I was very confident in my training and skills heading into the program. Then I actually skated the program. I messed up my double axel a little, no deduction though, and then I popped my triple axel into a single, once again. I was so angry. But I pulled it together for a successful ending to my program in which I landed my triple flip and did very nice spins. Nobody else really skated that well, so I thought I might be in about 4th or 5th because my presentation scores were pretty strong. Then I went to the draw area for the freeskate. The official read the order of names for placements in the short program. He called out 4th, not me, he called out 5th, not me, and then he called out my name, Johnny Weir, USA, 6th. This was another major upset for me that evening. I was one spot away from being in the last warm-up, and I missed it. And then I drew for my skate number; I skated first in the second warm-up group. Yet another disappointment. It was very early to skate, and even if I skated well, the judges would leave room for skaters yet to skate. So I went back to the hotel and slept.

The following day was rough. I skated very badly and was really down on my chances for the long program. Then I just relaxed and watched my friend Sara Wheat skate an awesome short program, and I knew that I could skate well just like her. I skated my morning practice, and it went better. I was even able to land my triple axel/triple loop combination which I hadn't landed all week. I walked around that day and just had fun in the tiny town shopping for souvenirs and whatnot. That night I competed in the freeskate. I skated first as I said, and I was comfortable with that. I went out, and there was a big crowd assembled. They cheered and clapped and I felt very good about myself. I landed my first triple lutz/triple toe since last year in the opening seconds of my program. Then I had a bad section of the program. I popped my triple axel into a single, then I popped my triple flip into a single. I tried to throw the triple flip in again only to double it. I then proceeded to land a triple loop, triple sal and triple toeloop. I wasn't thrilled what-so-ever. I was so upset with myself for letting my head get to me. But that's the way the cookie crumbles I guess. My presentation marks were again high, my technical marks were a little low. One judge even placed me first, another placed me second. But in the end I placed a dismal 7th in the freeskate, and 6th overall. I got 5 points for the series and realized that my chances for making the final were now
nonexistent. I decided that I'd make a few changes when I got home, and that this is just another learning experience that I have to get over. I still have China to prove myself. And I'm going to try my hardest to do just that.

Also, France was gorgeous. I got to speak French which was great for me to do. I got to experience the food and culture and everything about France. My mother, coach, and I also got to go to another town called Megeve. It was very nice, and I bought a Versace bag for only 40 dollars. It was my buy of the trip.

When I returned home, I had to start school. Also, I had a girl from Switzerland staying with me for a few weeks to train in Delaware. Her name is Lucie-Anne Blazek. She is very nice, and I enjoyed having her stay with me. Anyway, back to school. I started. And of course I hate it. But I have to get through this too. It's only for a few hours a day. I'll be able to do well in my classes though, which is very good.

This weekend I'm going to New York again to compete at Middle Atlantics, a.k.a. Mids. Hopefully I'll skate well and have a good warm up for China. And of course get some shopping done!

I hope all of you are having a great fall season, and thanks for visiting the website!

Love always,

-J