Lysacek out-performed the Russian because his performance was a more elegant artistic statement, with his jumps linked by spins, intricate step sequences and graceful transitions.
For Weir, who finished sixth at the Vancouver Games, it took the passage of time before he was able to go back and study the gold- and silver-medal-winning performances on video. At the time, Weir explained, he was too mired in his own disappointment to watch exactly what Lysacek and Plushenko were showing the world.
A self-described "diehard Plushenko fan", dazzled by the Russian's star power and pizazz, Weir says now that he feels the judges got it right in awarding gold to Lysacek. "On the day of the free programme, the better skater won," Weir said. "Evan performed incredibly well. He was so precise, down to the last detail. Evan was just perfect that day."
But looking ahead to Sochi, Weir predicts perfection won't be enough.
"It's going to take the man that can land more than one quad in the free programme – combined with all the triple jumps and artistry and star-power on that day – to win the championship," Weir said. "It's definitely an exciting time for men's figure skating."
Kevin Reynolds of Canada lands his quad toe loop