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KIDS' QUESTIONS

December 2001

World Junior champion Johnny Weir answers your toughest questions! The response to Kids' Questions continues to be impressive, so keep those questions and photos coming every month.

Johnny Weir

Q: How do you get ready for a competition, especially the big events? Krista Drewel, 9, Elkton, Md.

JW: For competition, the number one thing is, of course, training. When I'm getting ready to compete at a competition I get very, very nervous and worry about things that could go wrong. The only way in my mind to counter those feelings is to have the assurance that I am well trained and everything will go well if I let my body do it. I have had bad experiences when I wasn't quite trained well enough and I would do poorly, but as I've aged more in this sport, I have seen how much more confident training can make me for competition.

Q: Do you find it hard to practice on the same ice with older, more experienced skaters? Does it ever intimidate you? Arielle Gottlieb, 15, Cleveland, Ohio

JW: At competitions like the U.S. Championships and the Goodwill Games, I practiced with some of the top men in the world — it was awesome. I love practicing at big competitions because I can learn from the other skaters. Of course, I try not to watch and psych myself out, but I do watch for positive things that can help me. I was a little intimidated warming up with Alexei Yagudin at the Goodwill Games, but I got over it. I've always wanted to be at the top of this sport, so I just tell myself I belong, and it's all good!

Q: Goodwill Games was your first senior international competition. What was the experience like? Douglas Razzano, 13, Tempe, Ariz.

JW: The Goodwill Games was — in one word — amazing. Practicing with the top men in the world, sitting next to Michelle Kwan at the draw party, watching Irina Slutskaya skate so well — it was just awesome. I was a little bit in shock on my first practice — I just stood by the boards for 10 minutes just watching and laughing with my coach saying, “God, we're here!” The fans in Australia were so supportive of me, even though my long was a little sketchy. They even booed my marks in the short program, so I felt the love.

Q: Since there are so many sports for males to compete in, why did you choose figure skating out of all of them? Melissa Ross, 14, Holland, Mich.

JW: I chose figure skating because I loved watching it on TV. I tried soccer and baseball first, but I just didn't enjoy the whole team thing — I loved being on my own. I tried gymnastics, equestrian and skiing before skating, and I loved them all, but they were all missing something — I think it was the ice. I love feeling the wind in my face and flying through the air. I think it's an incredible and challenging sport. Another reason I chose it is because I wanted to be famous like the people I always watched on TV, and I knew I wouldn't be as recognized for team sports as being alone.

Q: How does competing at an international competition like World Juniors differ from competitions in the United States? Patrice Hutton, 15, Wichita, Kan.

JW: I don't really see much of a difference in the actual competitions. I really like internationals though because of the diversity in the skaters and their styles. It's kind of weird — you can be watching a practice and pick out what countries the skaters are from just by the way they hold themselves. I really enjoy watching the Russians. They're always well put together, always confident and they always look good. They have a way about them that just says “I'm the best.” I think that's great.

Q: What type of off-ice training do you do, and how does it affect your skating? Caralyn Baxter, 12

JW: My off-ice training consists of Pilates, trampoline and strength training. I use Pilates to help me gain strength and flexibility without bulking me up too much so I won't be able to spin. Strength training helps me stay in shape and keeps all of my muscles toned and healthy. The trampoline helps me keep my center and learn where my body is in the air. It's so much fun to go out and just jump up and turn as many times as possible.

Q: How did you get from beginner to senior in less than six years? What is your daily skating routine? Jessica, 13, Wauwatosa, Wis.

JW: I really don't know how I got here so fast. A lot of people tell me I'm a natural, but I think it's just normal for me. I took my tests very quickly — I only failed one (novice moves, fell on my counter) — so I think getting through them as fast as possible was definitely helpful. Skating pairs with a strong partner, Jodi Rudden, also helped me strengthen my basic skills and helped me learn to skate rather than shuffle around and jump.

My daily routine consists of skating for three hours a day, doing Pilates on Tuesdays and Thursdays, strength training on Wednesdays and trampoline nearly every evening. I had to do correspondence work for school this year, so I do not have school to worry about as much.

Q: Who is your favorite skater and why? Christina Harris, 15, Edmond, Okla.

JW: I have a couple of favorite skaters, so bear with me. My favorite male skater is definitely Evgeny Plushenko. He is solid and confident with his technique and is very inspiring to watch. I also think it's amazing how young he is — a prodigy.

I have three favorite female skaters — one is Irina Slutskaya. I enjoy watching her skate and jump so much. I took many of her basic jump techniques to help me get my triple flip and triple Lutz, so I kind of feel a little connection to her. I also think her comeback story is inspirational. Michelle Kwan is another favorite. She's just perfect — stylish and such a great ambassador for the sport. Sasha Cohen is my final favorite. Her flexibility, huge jumps, spins and presentation make her so interesting to watch. She's also a great friend to have.

Q: Did you start skating for recreation or did you want to be an Olympic champion from your first step on the ice? Erica, 14, Elma, N.Y.

JW: When I began skating seriously, Salt Lake City was bidding on the Olympics, so I wanted to go to the Olympics in 2002 and skate in front of my home country and do well and become famous. Even though I don't think I'll be there this year, it's so awesome to be close. I never imagined I'd come this far and actually become an elite-level skater bidding for an Olympic berth. Yes, I've always wanted to be an Olympic champion.

Q: I am in a competition slump right now. I always get super freaked out! Do you ever get nervous? How do you deal with nerves? Kara Francavillo, 11, Chicago, Ill.

JW: I was in a competition slump, too, for the entire 1999–00 season. I always doubted myself — it was the biggest mistake. I knew I had the jumps, but I would always think, “Oh God, what if a sparkle fell off someone's outfit and I trip and fall and people laugh?” or something idiotic like that. I really had to start believing in my talent and my ability. As long as you train and you have your elements, there's no need to be nervous. You know you can do it. I think strong training and repetition are the keys to no nervousness. Also, before I skate when my mind starts to wander to being nervous, I wear a rubber band around my wrist and I snap it to make me focus on what I have to do, not what could happen. I hope this helps! Good luck!

Q: You are a skater with a very impressive style, and you are progressing to the top in a short period of time. What are the major factors contributing to your success? Victoria Cai, 11, Millis, Mass.

JW: One of the factors that has contributed to my success is my support system. I couldn't do what I'm doing without the support of my family, coach and friends. They all know what I'm trying to achieve and they are always there when I need them for support. Another factor would have to be my perfectionism. I won't quit until I know something is perfect or as close to perfect as possible. I love being perfect and am very upset when I'm not. A third and final reason for my success, so far, is the fact that I want to be famous and in the spotlight of this sport so badly that I'll do anything to be there. I try and work myself really hard and prepare as well as I can. Skating is what I want my life to be, so it is motivation to work hard.

Q: I've been working on my Axel for three years and cannot land it. Do you have any tips for me? Rachel Goldenberg, 16, Jenkintown, Pa.

JW: A lot of times when I'm having trouble on a jump, it's when I'm thinking too much. I am at my best when I just let my body do what it wants. Thinking can totally mess you up, but you can't let it. It's a very weird technique that I have, I've been told, but it seems to work. Just go blank before you jump — I hope it will work for you!

Q: What was it like performing so well at your first senior U.S. Championships? Brittany Gerber, 11, Lancaster, Pa.

JW: I had so much fun competing in Boston. I felt so good — like a rock star. I loved having the television lights on and the huge crowds, and just the fact that so many people were watching me. The crowd was awesome. They gave me a standing ovation for my long program, and I was so excited. I'd always dreamed of having one and I finally did — it was amazing.

Q: When you get upset about something in skating, have you ever just wanted to quit? Andi, 12, Arizona

JW: There was one point in my second year of skating when nothing was going right and I actually thought of quitting. I just couldn't find the motivation to do run-throughs of my programs every day and do the billions of jumps a day and be around all the people. But after taking a little break — it was about two days — I realized how much I loved skating and how I couldn't NOT do it. Skating makes me happy, and life is too short to not be happy.