Hi Everyone-
Thanks for visiting my site and thank you for your continued support of me and my skating, it really means the world to me.
I suppose Nationals is the big event I have to write about, so I'll start there. It's incredible to be the two time National champion and have people really support my skating. I was a little apprehensive about Nationals and retaining my title because we competed under the traditional 6.0 system and I hadn't competed so well under that system this year, but never the less, I had a job to do. Portland was an interesting destination, and I enjoyed myself fully. The night before my short program my mother came to my hotel room to tell me the news of Delores Nikodinov's accident. She didn't want to tell me about it because she thought it would disrupt my concentration before the short program, but she was shaken up about it, and I knew something awful must have happened. She stayed with me for a little while after she told me, and it was of course extremely sad. Angela and I had gotten closer over the past few years and I knew how devastating this would be for her, and I was crushed for her. I can't speak for everyone, but Nationals didn't seem as sparkly anymore, everyone competed then with a heavy heart. I hope the Nikodinovs can get through this, and I send them all my love.
The short program was terrible. I have been told that I'm a little hard on myself, but I wasn't pleased at all with my performance. My jumps and steps were really labored, and I admit that I was really nervous. I was happy to push through the program but I don't think I deserved the placement of second, I thought I should be lower. I definitely didn't agree with my one 6.0 in the short program, but to each his own. I don't have much to say about the short because all in all I was disappointed.
The free program was a good fight. I wasn't really nervous going into the program, and I knew I had trained hard for this event. I skated fifth in the last group and had a long wait after the warm up, but I've skated late a lot this season and knew how to handle myself. I landed all of my jumps, but the rest of the program was a little bit poor in my mind. I couldn't get onto the planned edges for my spins and my straightline footwork sequence was terrible. I was hoping to end on a high note with the steps, but I slipped and pulled a step sequence out of my nether regions, so naturally they didn't have the desired effect. I knew I had skated a strong program and I could be in first place, but not until the marks popped up did I realize that I had done it again. Five perfect marks in the presentation scores were a nice addition to what was a strong performance, but once again I didn't agree. I have skated the program a lot stronger this season than that and I know I can improve for worlds.
Nationals was an excellent competition for me. I learned to step outside of myself and lay it down, regardless how I felt. I am maturing as a person and athlete and that's exciting for me to see. Two years ago I would have been a basket case and not have been able to compete as well as I did. I am very proud of myself.
After nationals I got some time to relax, sort of. The airline lost my suitcase with my skates and costumes so that was a bit of an issue, but other than that I got to rest. I went to Boston to see friends and come down from Nationals. Now I'm back and training and getting strong for worlds. Worlds really are my priority right now, and I want to show the world what I can do and how hard I've worked this year. I know I can do it.
Again, thank you for visiting my website, and I hope everyone's winter is going well with minimal snow! Please take care and come back soon for updates!
All my love,
-Johnny
