Weir to skip nationals, sit out rest of season
Former world bronze medalist still eyeing 2014 Olympic Winter Games
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| Johnny Weir will not compete again in the 2012-13 season. (Getty Images) |
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Weir did not compete for the two seasons following the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, British Columbia. Last January, he announced his intention to return to competitive figure skating. He received two ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series assignments this fall but withdrew from the Rostelecom Cup in Moscow due to a hip injury after the short program. He also withdrew from Trophée Eric Bompard in Paris the following week. Weir began the season with a fourth-place finish at the 2012 Finlandia Trophy in Espoo, Finland.
"It is with deep regret that I announce my withdrawal from the 2013 U.S. Figure Skating Championships," Weir said. "Since my return to competition this fall, I have worked very hard to compete this season with many obstacles and detours, but I made good on my promise to return to competition, and I am very proud of that. My performances so far have not been to my satisfaction and, combined with the stress of competing, I feel that I need to take a step back, prepare more and be ready for the Olympic season beginning next fall."
Weir trains in Hackensack, N.J., with coach Galina Zmievskaya.