Title: Tanned like a pretzel...
Hi Everyone!
I am writing from the Cayman Islands, so I hope that explains the title of this entry. I know I should be relaxing and enjoying the vacation, but I am notoriously bad at relaxing so here is something that will keep me occupied for at least an hour (it takes me that long to type).
It has been so long since my last entry, but I am happy to report that I have been super busy. With my success last season I was invited to take part in a lot of fantastic shows this spring and summer. The first group of shows were held in Europe in Bratislava, Slovakia, Kosice, Slovakia and Prague, Czech Republic. The shows were part of Zhenya Plushenko's tour and I was so excited when I found out I'd be performing. It had been a long time since I'd been in both Slovakia and Czech Republic so I was thrilled to go back as an adult. All three shows were completely sold out. The show was really marvelous. The skaters were all superstars in their own rights and everyone skated well every night. I was happy to catch up with some friends whom I hadn't seen in some time, Ira Slutskaya especially! I got updates on her son Artem.
On the third show in Prague I got to meet one of my favorite musicians Dima Bilan and have my photo taken with him. I never really meet famous people so I was completely nervous but so happy when he turned out to be a good guy. I am so happy his project with Zhenya and Edvin won Eurovision! I had a really tiring but amazing time performing in those shows and I hope to skate with Zhenya in the future.
After Eastern Europe I had some time to calm down and create a new show number with Nina Petrenko. We decided on a piece called "Feeling Good" by Nina Simone to highlight my non-classical side and butt-shaking abilities. It was a really fun process and I got to debut the number in a small show in Wilmington, Delaware. The club in Wilmington honored me by making me a lifetime honorary member of The Skating Club of Wilmington. I was really touched.
Back to choreography, Nina and I worked so well together and had so much fun that we all decided (including Viktor and Galina) that she would make my competitive programs for the season. We will have input from people in the dance world as well, but it seemed like a perfect fit. It is very smart too because now we can all be involved in the process and we'll know exactly what works and what doesn't.
We have chosen music and finished the skeleton of the choreography for both programs. My music selections have a decidedly French theme this season. It was already released that my short program will be to a selection by Saint-Preux and I'll release the piece's title along with all information for my long program on www.weir.ru by the end of summer. I am really happy with both selections and hope everyone will enjoy them.
In mid May, I got the opportunity to travel to Seoul and perform in ice shows organized by Kim Yu-Na's management company IB Sports. I hadn't been to Korea in seven years so I was so excited to go back. I was completely overwhelmed by the fans and
the basic trip to Korea. Everything was well taken care of ad organized. There were fans in the airport and at the hotel and most importantly at the ice rink. I performed by new show number and skated very well in all the shows. The fans were amazing. Skating a sexy rump shaker of a program is hard to do for me, but the audience's enthusiasm made it so easy and natural. I felt so good skating in Korea. I got to meet some other skaters and coaches whom I'd really never spent time with before like Tessa Virtue, David Wilson and of course Yu-Na. The cast was all so lovely, I could perform that exact show with that cast forever. Everyone bonded and we were all said to say goodbye. I actually couldn't say goodbye so I changed my ticket and stayed an extra day to do some shopping and hang out!
When I returned from Korea, Galina and I started working very hard on my jumps and off ice conditioning. I have been working out with Fatima Bruhns and exploring new workouts in pilates and basic conditioning. I saw almost immediate results on the ice. I am jumping higher and stronger and am able to more elements. I have also forgone my starvation diet that I use in the season and am trying to eat really healthy for the summer. Of course I feel heavier, and it may not last long, but it has been a needed break from dieting. My greatest pleasure right now is stocking up at Whole Foods.
I went to Champs Camp in the beginning of June in Colorado Springs to have a summit of the top US athletes. It was a valuable trip because we got to find out our Grand Prix assignments live. I was selected for Skate America and NHK Trophy in Japan. I am very excited to compete in my first Skate America and of course I'm always happy to return to Japan. I will be missing Cup of Russia of course! It is now a family tradition that my mom and I spend Thanksgiving in Russia. The top three skaters from each discipline can basically choose which events we'll have. It is a rule that we need to be at different events from one another so six competitions, two each, none overlapping. I was third to choose, so I basically got the events that Jeffrey Buttle and Brian Joubert hadn't selected. I hope next year I will go to Russia again, especially in what could be my last season on the Grand Prix! I am happy with my events though and I am thrilled to perform and compete in my own country.
I have received so many letters of concern and support due to the announcement that Stephane Lambiel will come to train in the same group as me. I just want to make a more personal statement about this than what many of you already know. I've known Stephane since I was thirteen and he was twelve and we both competed in novice boys in a small city in Slovenia. We continued our rise up the ladder together competing in various junior grand prix events and junior world competitions and finally worlds, Olympics, and Grand Prixs. I have nothing but admiration for what Stephane has done with his career. I think he will be a very good training mate. I can't see myself training with many other elite male skaters, but Stephane and I go so far back, and we're now turning into the "veterans" of our competitions that I don't think anything bad will come out of this arrangement. I trust that my coaches will still work with me the same as they did before. I'm at the age, and maturity that I can understand that nothing Stephane does on a daily basis can change my ultimate goals or my drive. I will work hard and do my best regardless if one of my top rivals is there to see it or not. I know how well my coaching change worked for me last season and I'm glad that has been recognized by a top athlete no less, and I hope it will work for Stephane. He is a great person and a wonderful athlete and I think I can only take positives from training with him.
In late June I went to Yokohama, Japan to perform in Dreams On Ice. I am always so excited to go to Japan and perform for my Japanese fans. In the first two shows I skated my new number and then for the second two I changed to "Ave Maria." I didn't skate my best in all the shows but show one and show four were by far the best. The one they showed on TV was definitely my worst show, so I'm sorry to those who've seen it, if it's even made it to YouTube yet! The audience was really fantastic as always and the fans gave way too many presents (as always :)). I want to thank all the Japanese fans who came to the shows and I hope to see you all again in September for Champions on Ice.
The day I returned from Japan I left for the Cayman Islands for a long overdue vacation and to celebrate my birthday and Independence Day. I was so happy that my brother was able to come with me and enjoy some sun and sand. My brother is equally afraid of the ocean so things weren't looking too good for us to swim. On the first day I decided that I was turning twenty four, I'm an old cow, if a shark wants to attack me, let them have at it. I made my brother swim with me and it was perfect. I was feeling very full of myself and the next day (my birthday) I ran, arms flailing, into the sea only to spot a six inch long black fish and run screaming from the surf. I was happy to remain in my cabana for the rest of the day and work on my tan. My brother bought my a beautiful dinner in an exclusive restaurant in our resort and I treated him and myself to massages at La Prairie's Silver Rain Spa to celebrate my aging process. It was a beautiful time in my life.
When I get home from the Cayman Islands it's back to work as always with Galina Yakovlevna in one pocket and Viktor and Nina in the other. I will also be performing in a few upcoming shows in Sun Valley, ID and in Hampton Road, VA. I am really looking forward to watching the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
I watched the U.S gymnastics trials on tv and was totally impressed with Nastia Liukin and I am rooting for her to win as many golds as is possible in gymnastics. In a side snippet I went totally crazy stalker fan on her and got in touch and we've been chatting ever since. She's a lovely girl and I wish her only the best (and you should too).
I think that's all my news for now. As always, I am so sorry if offended anyone, please deal with it in a nice and healthy way. I hope everyone is staying cool this summer and enjoying it as best they can.
Love always,
-Johnny
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