Javier Fernandez to skip Grand Prix, compete at Euros (threads merged)

[Bellanca]

https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2018/06/19/javier-fernandez-figure-skating-retire/

 

[aliceanne]

I wonder if he is going to work on adding another quad to his programs (Orser had said they discussed the quad loop), or he just wants to add one more European title to his resume. The latter seems like an odd goal, and not even a certain one.

 

[nimi]

I wonder if he is going to work on adding another quad to his programs (Orser had said they discussed the quad loop), or he just wants to add one more European title to his resume. The latter seems like an odd goal, and not even a certain one.

How so? He's already a 2-time World Champ and an Olympic medalist. Going another 4 years for a chance at OGM is unrealistic and going for his 3rd World title... eh. He might feel he doesn't have it in him. And frankly, what would he do with a World medal that's not golden?

Whereas getting the 7th consecutive Euro title would be a more realistic goal and something that not even Henie or Witt achieved; they "only" have 6 consecutive Euro titles. Who knows, maybe Javi's ultimate goal is to tie with Karl Schäfer's 8 consecutive titles, we'll see! (Was there an interview where Javi talked about rivaling Schäfer's gold medal count? Can't remember...)


ETA: Googled and found the interview I was thinking about. Sounds like he's half joking about going for 2 more Euro titles but anyway, he throws it out there.

Seriously, I'll sit down after the [Olympic] Games, and we'll check. We'll decide. Just like in skating, step by step, right? How many (European) titles did [Karl] Schäfer get? Eight? That's two more (he grins). And [Evgeni] Plushenko? Seven? You never know. ... It will all depend on how my body goes and on how long I feel strong enough. I don't think I'll do one more Olympic cycle, but doing one or two (more) seasons, Grand Prix or Europeans...why not?

Also I forgot Plushenko has 7 Euro titles (although not consecutive ones).

 

[manhn]

But but but Plushenko rule! Oh well, it's not like he's a big draw or anything....

 

[Bellanca]

Javier retiring at the European Championships strikes me as being a sentimental choice. I think it would mean a lot to him if that’s what he’s thinking about doing.

I believe there have been other European-eligible skaters (in the past) that have also chosen to retire after Europeans.

Whatever he decides, I feel that Javi fans have a limited amount of time to see him in competition. I hear a swan song fast approaching…

 

[chantilly]

The other thing people need to remember with Javi is that he wants to increase the profile of the sport in his home country.
Another euro title couldn’t hurt and is well within his grasp.
Plus it’s hardly surprising with the new changes in rules.

 

[kwanfan1818]

But but but Plushenko rule! Oh well, it's not like he's a big draw or anything....

It only applies if he's assigned, and to be assigned, the Fed has to submit him, and, unless they're really incompetent, they won't.

He's not even seeded, having skipped Worlds.

 

[TAHbKA]

double post, didn't see the original thread. Thank you, admin!

 

[AxelAnnie]

This is pretty much what he has said from the end of last year. And good for him. He has had a marvelous run.

 

[Andrey aka Pushkin]

I guess he always wanted to visit Minsk. I see no other reason why it makes any sense.

 

[eurodance2001]

Javier retiring at the European Championships strikes me as being a sentimental choice. I think it would mean a lot to him if that’s what he’s thinking about doing.

I believe there have been other European-eligible skaters (in the past) that have also chosen to retire after Europeans.

Whatever he decides, I feel that Javi fans have a limited amount of time to see him in competition. I hear a swan song fast approaching…

Sarah Meier and Florent Amodio retired after competing one last time at Euros and didn't continue to Worlds..

 

[bardtoob]

As I'm reading this, I remember the subtle illusions to sanctioning made by the then ISU President towards Plushenko and Kwan because they skipped the Grand Prix but wanted to participate in ISU Championships ... As far as I know, nothing came of it because the member federations were responsible for individual athletes.

 

[DaveRocks]

He wants another European title. That’s all.

 

[kwanfan1818]

As far as I know, nothing came of it because the member federations were responsible for individual athletes.

At the time, when Plushenko was suspended, the talk was that the Russian Fed revoked their permission for him to do the shows that conflicted with GP, because the ISU rule allow the ISU to punish the Federation .

But Plushenko was assigned and withdrew, like at Worlds, when instead of listing him as a sub and letting him decide at the last minute, the Russian Fed assigned him, and then he withdrew and skated in a show very soon after Worlds. With Kwan, she was seeded, but only wanted to do one, home event and skip GPF. She didn't skip GP, and USFS submitted her name.

 

[Vagabond]

As I'm reading this, I remember the subtle illusions to sanctioning made by the then ISU President towards Plushenko and Kwan because they skipped the Grand Prix but wanted to participate in ISU Championships ... As far as I know, nothing came of it because the member federations were responsible for individual athletes.

Well, they were just illusions. Had they been allusions, there might have been some substance to them.

 

[nimi]

Olympic Channel interview with Javi (5 min): JAVIER FERNANDEZ PREPARES TO CALL TIME ON GLITTERING CAREER

He talks about why he wants the Euros to be his last competition & about his plans after retiring from competition (another big skating show in Spain, coaching) etc.

 

[lala]

At the time, when Plushenko was suspended, the talk was that the Russian Fed revoked their permission for him to do the shows that conflicted with GP, because the ISU rule allow the ISU to punish the Federation .

But Plushenko was assigned and withdrew, like at Worlds, when instead of listing him as a sub and letting him decide at the last minute, the Russian Fed assigned him, and then he withdrew and skated in a show very soon after Worlds. With Kwan, she was seeded, but only wanted to do one, home event and skip GPF. She didn't skip GP, and USFS submitted her name.

Except 2006 ( he won the OG and he didn't want to compete at WCH probably he had much more enjoyable activities ) he didn't go to WCH because he was injured: 2005, 2010, 2012. In 2005 and 2012 he had surgeries after the ECH ( hernia, meniscus). I know many people made conspiracy theories, but those were true.
In 2010 he did same thing as Medvedeva in this year; they peformed on shows but they didn't want to compete. Zhenya and Zhenya said they have problem with their legs ( Plush had knee problem) thus they can't peform hard jumps, but to skate on shows that is different thing. Plush was suspended for 1 year. Plush wrote a letter with a request to allow him to return into amateur sports. And the Rus Fed gave him back the amateur status 2011. Med wasn't punished for it and some Russian fs fans mentioned it. I said not once Plush was "pioneer" in many things he received the "aggro", the others could follow his way...
Javier really loves and respects Plush. I can imagine they have talked about it on the Japanese shows in June.

 

[MR-FAN]

This makes me so happy.

 

[AxelAnnie]

Thank you so much for the link to the video. Man I love that guy.....he is a brilliant skater and an intelligent man.....and so dang cute!

 

[Firedancer]

Thank you for the video! I will miss Javi when he retires. He has a performance quality that most of the other guys can’t match.

 

[Sylvia]

Javi update in Spanish (Sept. 3): http://www.hieloespanol.es/1/fernan...orada_expres_llena_de_incognitas_3049840.html

Google translated excerpt:

"At the moment, this [Japan Open on Oct. 6] is the only guaranteed competition" says his representative, Jorge Serradilla, to ICE SPANISH. "The idea is that after take part in the national in Logroño (December 14 to 16) and the European in Minsk (January 21 to 27), even in some more test, but we will have to see how it is. There is still nothing fixed."

"Skating wears you down mentally and physically. The body suffers and is no longer the same as before. In addition, as it is the law of life, young people are pushing a lot and claim their space. That's why this season I'll do some competition and say goodbye. At the end of the day I have many projects and I have to make them evolve too. My future will be shows and teaching," says Fernández himself.

Everything points to that, until the European Championship, which could be the end point of his career, we will see an 'express' season. It will keep the long program of 'Don Quixote', although with the technical adjustments required by the new regulation (especially the new rule that limits the repetition of quadruple jumps) and a new short. Of this choreography, at the moment, it does not want to reveal anything.

What seems certain is that, from now on, he will have to coordinate the trainings with the preparations of the 'Revolution on Ice' tour that, two years later, reappears with five dates: Pamplona (November 10), Malaga (17 November), Murcia (December 21), Gran Canaria (December 26) and Madrid (December 29).

 

[Sylvia]

https://www.france24.com/en/20181128-double-world-figure-skating-champion-fernandez-retiring

MADRID (AFP) - Spaniard Javier Fernandez, a double world champion in figure skating, confirmed on Wednesday that he will retire after the European championships in Minsk on in January.
"I retire this season," Fernandez said at an event organised by Spanish newspaper ABC, adding that "I prefer to retire when I think it's the right moment, when I'm happy with my sporting career and when I have a project for the future."
He said that at 27 he could keep competing but asked "at what level?"

Here's the Spanish ABC article with video: https://www.abc.es/deportes/abci-javier-fernandez-anuncia-retirada-este-201811281113_noticia.html

Link to his Revolution on Ice shows thread (includes a few fan cams): https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...-tour-in-spain-nov-10-17-dec-21-26-29.104531/

 

[antmanb]

Has he done any competitions this season?

Has he been training quads for Europeans?

 

[I Luv Bulldogs]

At the time, when Plushenko was suspended, the talk was that the Russian Fed revoked their permission for him to do the shows that conflicted with GP, because the ISU rule allow the ISU to punish the Federation .

But Plushenko was assigned and withdrew, like at Worlds, when instead of listing him as a sub and letting him decide at the last minute, the Russian Fed assigned him, and then he withdrew and skated in a show very soon after Worlds. With Kwan, she was seeded, but only wanted to do one, home event and skip GPF. She didn't skip GP, and USFS submitted her name.

Was that in your memory bank? If so, impressive! I can barely remember who medaled last weekend.

 

[nimi]

Has he done any competitions this season?

He skated his FS in Japan Open as was the plan (see Sylvia's post above) and landed a 4T and 3A there & popped his 4S into 3S... or at least it looks more like a pop than a planned triple to me.

 

[SLIVER]

This is such a random event to chose as your last. A Europeans in Minsk?? Does he equal or beat some record if he wins it again?

 

[DaveRocks]

This is such a random event to chose as your last. A Europeans in Minsk?? Does he equal or beat some record if he wins it again?

If he wins, he'd tie Plushenko (7 titles), but he'd still be behind Ulrich Salchow (9 titles) and Karl Schäfer (8 titles).

 

[screech]

If he wins, he'd tie Plushenko (7 titles), but he'd still be behind Ulrich Salchow (9 titles) and Karl Schäfer (8 titles).

He'd also have the second most consecutive titles (after Schafer)

 

[MR-FAN]

Damn... I still remember the first time hi won Euros like it was yesterday

 

[sus2850]

Javier reported his retirement after Minsk now officially, I gather from Spanish facebook posts. Did not see the source though. Or is there another thread in here?