Weir vs. Lysacek: a new chapter
They are the grizzled veterans of the men’s senior division and they’ve re-upped for four more years and another Olympic cycle.
Johnny Weir, 22, and Evan Lysacek, 21, have been rivals since their junior days at nationals and are the co-favorites in this year’s Championship Men’s event.
“It is a big rivalry I have with Evan,” Weir said. “It’s very interesting and it’s very nice to have such a close rival in my own country. The U.S. men have always been strong, but with Evan we’re both young. We’ve both been successful on an international stage. We’ve both been successful in our country.”
Weir is the three-time defending men’s senior champion, but there was a day when Lysacek had the upper hand at nationals. Lysacek was the junior champion in 2000. Weir was fifth.
Since then, the skaters have competed with each other around the globe – whether at the world championships or the Olympics. Lysacek has finished ahead of Weir at the last two Worlds (bronze medals in 2005 and 2006) and the last Olympics, though neither was on the podium in Turin.
Lysacek is coming off a breakthrough Grand Prix season last year, but had to take some time off in December to recover from a hip strain. He is expected to be at full speed for nationals.
“I love skating at home in America, so I’m looking forward at being able to do that at nationals in Spokane,” said Lysacek.
Weir says he’s inspired by the challenge of winning another title but isn’t taking anything for granted.
“I’d love to go and win my fourth championship,” he said. “It’s such an honor to be the best man in the country. “There’s a lot of stiff competition and guys who have been training a lot longer than I have, but I look forward to going. I’m looking forward to putting my best out there.”
Both skaters say they would like to be more consistent in their programs. Yet Weir said he’s not afraid to take chances, even if it means making changes that might benefit him in the long run but make it harder in the short term.
“For now I’m going to do the best I can,” he said. “I’m not saying I’ll be perfect, I’m not saying I’m going to be at the level I was, but I’m trying my best and that’s what I can do. You can’t stay stagnant. You can’t do the same things every year.”
Lysacek is aiming to further excel at this event as he seeks his first gold in the seniors.
“My coach, Frank Carroll, has taught me since Day One to have the utmost respect for your sport and what it has given you, for the media, and for the U.S. Championships,” he said. “It’s a very high-profile event for our sport and it kind of overshadows the world championships as far as spectators and media and prestige in this country.”
Weir said he feels the same drive for another title.
“I’m ready to go and win again. There’s no doubt that I know I can. I want it just as much as any of my other titles or medals that I’ve won.”