4. Javier Fernandez ESP
2017 Worlds short program
This was one of the most thrilling short programs I've ever witnessed.
Even coming in as the two-time World champion, Javier Fernandez's expectations for a third consecutive title were really not incredibly high. After all, his season had been inconsistent - and he's rarely skated this short program cleanly in its two-quad configuration. So coming into Helsinki, Fernandez really leaned dark horse than favorite.
But his short program was out of this world. It was absolutely the cleanest we have ever seen him perform it (and likely the last time we will see this program in competition).
That said, the greatest of this program came from more than just the elements - it was the fact that this was a program he has really focused his attention on, giving it a second season to develop. It was not the charismatic genre we are used to Fernandez delivering (and delivering incredibly well, of course). Fernandez embodied the flamenco choreography, and as a result, gave us one of the most sizzling and authentic Malagueñas that we have ever seen.