| Johnny Has No Regrets | | | | Johnny Weir should have dethroned Evan instead of |
| After two not so great seasons, Weir, the three | | | | losing on a tiebreaker when their scores deadlocked |
| times US Champion was determined to turn heads. | | | | at 244.77. Weir's supporters and some |
| Turn heads, but he did after two wins at Cup of | | | | mathematically-inclined fans agree. |
| Russia and Cup of China. With dazzling free skates at | | | | Some of Weir's supporters feel that Johnny's |
| the US Championships, the skating genius made an | | | | capabilities are being dismissed while those who are |
| attempt at regaining his crown but Lysacek defeated | | | | biassed to Evan are buying into the USFS party line |
| Weir as a result of a tiebreaker by a hundredth of a | | | | about Evan being the great hope because his image |
| point. | | | | is more "masculine" . |
| While Johnny is satisfied with the results, by saying: | | | | To those fans, Weir beat Lysacek at Cup of China |
| "First place, second place, last place, I'm just happy | | | | this year and actually beat him by 01 point at |
| with the way that I skated... It's really a vindication to | | | | Nationals despite a computer scoring error which |
| know that I came back and didn't completely fall | | | | USFS refuses to acknowledge. They fey that the |
| apart" (Johnny Weir An Elegant Redemption. By | | | | score incorrectly increased Lysacek's free skate |
| Kathleen Bangs International figure Skating Apr. | | | | score by .01 and as a result it became a tie. So |
| 2008),the fans are buzzing with concerns. They feel | | | | Lysacek was given the gold in a regulations |
| that Weir is deserving of the title this year. | | | | tiebreaker. According to some fans, Weir's programs |
| There were some concerns about the way fractions | | | | are better choreographed, and when he is scored by |
| of points were rounded off by the computer that | | | | international judges who are not under the influence |
| was fed scores by the judges. It was suggested | | | | of USFS and their bias tendencies for Lysacek, he |
| that Weir would be declared the winner instead of | | | | has the upper hand. |
| Lysacek, had the points been rounded differently. | | | | Weir scored epic wins at the Cup of China and Cup |
| Many fans feel the steps in calculating the program | | | | of Russia, defeating two-time world champion |
| component scores for the free skate are an issue | | | | Stéphane Lambiel of Switzerland both times. |
| that needs to be resolved as a result. Weir's fans | | | | Weir was magnificent at the U.S. nationals despite |
| conclude that, had the scores been computed | | | | finishing second to archrival Evan Lysacek. Probably if |
| correctly, Weir would have regained his crown. | | | | Weir had just thrown in a double toe loop at the end |
| According to some commentators, there is nothing | | | | of his triple lutz combination, he might have won his |
| vague about the scoring system. It is straightforward | | | | fourth crown. In any case, it's too late to do anything |
| calculation. Some fans even feel that Johnny's habits | | | | about it now, since the rules state that the results |
| of not keeping his remarks at bay may have been | | | | are final as soon as the medals are awarded. Weir |
| another reason for losing to Evan, and others feel | | | | himself is "ok" with the outcome. |
| the skating federation wants "cookie cutter" skaters | | | | I love them both, While I do feel this season could |
| who say nice things and say what the federation | | | | have been different, all in all, Johnny and Evan gave |
| wants them to say. | | | | us the "skate" "we"(the fans) desperately yearned. |
| So, did the wrong guy win the US figure skating title | | | | Now that Evan has withdrawn from Worlds, it will not |
| in St. Paul? It all depends on who you ask. If you | | | | be the same jaw tightening, couch gripping, breath |
| read the International Skating Union's guidelines, | | | | holding experience as I was hoping it would be. |