Hi Everyone-
Thanks for coming. It has been quite a season of disappointment, which ended last week at the US Nationals.
Throughout this season I was hoping that Nationals would be my big break away from the rest of the American skaters,
but I suppose it wasn't meant to be.
I arrived in Dallas on Monday evening and had my first practices on Tuesday.
They were quite solid, and I was pleased to be skating so well. I even stood up on a few quad salchows which generated hope for my long program.
I had two more practices on Wednesday, and they were superb. I had really found my rhythm, and I was in good spirits for the short program.
I skated eighth in the short program, which was a very good position for me. I could use the entire warm up and then have a rest before I skated.
I went out and just told myself I'd worked all season, so far for nothing, and I needed to show everyone my talents. I skated a clean performance,
with a few little bobbles on my footwork and flying camel, but I was so pleased. I even got a standing ovation, the only one of the mens event,
and I was just exhilarated. I saw the marks flash up on the board; I got my highest ever, a 5.8, and one ordinal above Tim Goebel.
I was on an emotional high. As the event went on, nobody was bumping me or Tim from the top two spots, and I wound up second. After some interviews
and a press conference I was officially done for the night, and I wouldn't have had it end any other way.
The day between the short and long programs went very well. My practice was extremely good, and I was definitely ready to challenge Tim for gold.
Also during the day between the competitions, I came to know that Michael Weiss was saying some pretty harsh things about Matt Savoie and I.
He said that we were "juniorish" and that he thought he should be ahead of us. He has a very difficult program, and had he skated it cleanly
I would have been fine settling for third behind him and Tim, but he didn't skate well, and Matt and I did. Basically, we skated very well and he didn't,
so fair judging had us ahead of him. Unless he wanted to provoke another judging scandal, the result was correct and there was no reason to lash out.
On the day of the long program my practice went really well. I think I missed one jump, so I was prepared to skate my best and give it my all.
I skated second in the warm up, my favorite position to skate. The cards were all lined up for me to be amazing. My warm up was flawless.
I went backstage, really pumped to skate. I skated out to my starting pose and just relaxed. I suppose I relaxed too much because I ran into the boards
doing some choreography. When I fell, my back twisted in such a way that the breath was knocked out of me and I needed to regroup. I skated over the
referee, and she started my music over again. I went back out, being very sore, and tried to skate. On the third jumping pass of the program,
a triple axel, I fell so hard and wrenched my kneecap. It actually moved from left to right, and I knew at that time I couldn't continue.
I went and withdrew myself, and got a second standing ovation as I left the ice. I was so distraught, I just wanted to break down and cry.
I went immediately to medical, and they wrapped me up with ice and gave me something to prevent swelling. The whole time an ABC camera was outside
the room, waiting for me to walk out, but I stayed in the room extra long so I wouldn't have to be seen in such a state. It was probably one of the
most depressing moments of my life, and I didn't know how to deal, so I left.
I didn't go back to the rink at all, and I just sat with a close group of friends and tried to relax.
The most upsetting part of it all is that I know I could have made the world team and the four continents team, but I was just in too much pain.
But it's a sport, and sports are full of failure and glory. I just found myself on the failure side of the coin.
I came home and am taking off a week for my knee and back to get better, and then I'm going to start skating again, working on show numbers
and a new short program for next season. As far as next season goes, I don't know what the federation will do with me, but I know I'd be useful to
their international squad. I've been to internationals seven out of seven years of my career, and I've been to Nationals every year never finishing
below sixth, so I'm hoping they give me a chance.
Before I go, I'd like to thank all of my fans for their support and love. It means a lot to me to have the crowds in Dallas support me enough
for two standing ovations, and my fans from around the World who wrote me little encouraging messages in this very hard time. It means the world
to me to have you guys supporting me, so thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I'll update ya'll soon with my new program, training and whatever.
Love,
-J We
