Kevin Reynolds made history by executing two quads in his short program at Skate Canada last fall. (Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)

More than any other, this figure skating season has been filled with surprises - everything from the up-and-down results of some skaters to the devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Japan that has resulted in the world championships being moved from Tokyo to Moscow and delayed by five weeks.

Canada's Kevin Reynolds started his season on a high note, becoming the first man in history to complete two quads in a short program, which he did in Kingston, Ont., at the Skate Canada International event in the fall.

At the Canadian championships in January, the Coquitlam, B.C., native was unable to skate to his potential and was left off the podium, relegating him to alternate status for the world championships.

In his mind, his season was done and it was time to re-focus. But that changed when Canada's silver medallist, Shawn Sawyer, announced that he would not go to worlds in favour of a touring contract with Stars on Ice.

Here's what Reynolds had to say about his unexpected trip to next week's world championships in Moscow:

Pj Kwong: You thought your season was done after the Four Continents competition. What did you start to work on after that?

Kevin Reynolds: After the Four Cs, I took time off skating to heal a hip injury I've been dealing with since December. I aggravated the injury again in the short program [at the Four Continents] and, thinking that my season was over, I thought that rest would be the best option in order to be fully recovered for the next season.

Kwong: How and when did you find out about going to Worlds?

Reynolds: I found out on March 28, I think a day before it was made public I would be going. I was checking my e-mail and I noticed one from my coach [Joanne McLeod]. In it, she said there was a high possibility that I would be going to the world championships. My initial reaction was, "No way, now I'm going?"

As I had been taking time off due to injury, I didn't know what to do. I visited my doctor the same day, and he gave me clearance to start training again. Afterwards, I talked to my coach, and we decided I would try to prepare for the championships.

Kwong: How did you have to re-adjust your training to get prepared for worlds?

Reynolds: I started training again right away, but initially very lightly. Gradually, it has been building in intensity up to this week.

Kwong: What has been the biggest challenge in preparing for worlds?

Reynolds: There have been many challenges in preparing for these worlds. Being ready on short notice is always difficult, but this year there is the added pressure of coming back from time off skating. To prepare under these circumstances with such limited training time has been difficult, but I am happy with the progress I've made so far. I am not yet at 100 per cent, but I am regaining my energy and confidence with each day I am on the ice.

Kwong: You made history at Skate Canada by hitting two quads in your short program. Will you try for the same feat at worlds?   

Reynolds: Due to the circumstances, I will not be attempting the second quad in the short program. It's a little disappointing for me, because a goal this year was to be successful with the two quads at the world championships. But I recognize my limitations right now, and I have to consider the very high risk involved already in attempting two quads
in the short program.

Kwong: Can you share any thoughts on the Japanese situation or on what the Japanese  
 skaters have been going through?

Reynolds: When the earthquake and tsunami struck Japan, I initially didn't even consider that it would affect this year's worlds so drastically. I think I was as shocked as anyone when I saw the devastation, and it still is hard to believe what happened.

I was happy to hear that the Japanese skaters are OK. I know that everyone will be supporting them through these world championships. I read about [2010 junior world champion] Yuzuru Hanyu, who was in Sendai at the time of the earthquake, and how he was affected.

I can't imagine what it's been like for the skaters, and all the people affected by the disaster. I hope that Japan can recover strongly.