Here are my thoughts after fully indulging in Patrick’s 4CC glory for the first time:
THREE FOR THREE!!! (barely :eekn After the SP, I lowered my placement expectations and only hoped he would get on the podium. BUT HE WON! :yes2: I love his and Kathy’s reaction in the K&C. Patrick says calmly, “And I won,” to which Kathy screams and says, “I didn’t even notice,” and then Patrick says he won overall “by 1 point.” Priceless. Equally priceless, if not more so, was the slap of the ice. It’s as if he was telling the ice, “Take that! I CONQUERED YOU today!” At SC, he reacted with tears, at GPF with a calm smile, and at 4CC with pure excitement and exhilaration. And at the medal ceremony, he was not only singing along to "O Canada" but he was also blinking back tears. Before the comeback, I don't recall him being so emotional on the podium. It was obvious how much it meant to him both at SC and 4CC. It's heartwarming to see his joy.
As for the skate itself, what can I say? It was BREATHTAKINGLY AMAZING!!!!! His jumps were so smooth and beautiful. It's like he knew he was going to land them before he took off. Such confident landings! I have NEVER seen Patrick show this level of comfort with a competitive program, especially a long program, from the very beginning. It was special at 2014 JO and it’s even more special at 2016 4CC. In the past, I’ve felt very lucky as a fan if Patrick had ONE clean LP during the season. This season so far he’s had THREE, although the first two had a tripled 4T and one 3A. How fortunate we have been as fans to watch him have three of his cleanest and best LPs ever in the same season. I hope Boston brings us more of the same.
I also have to say that the CROWD in Taipei was amazing. I knew the results long before I watched the program for the first time, so I wondered if I would feel a high level of excitement as I watched, but thanks to the crowd’s reaction, I definitely did! :yes2: The ROAR when he landed the second 3A was particularly thrilling. As far as non-jump reactions, people clapped after his first step sequence, which is rare, and also during the second camel of the camel-change-camel (does he change edges when he puts his arms behind his back?). These non-jump reactions show how into the entire program the crowd was (in other words, what an artist Patrick is on the ice). And, of course, the roar rising during the combination spin is the cherry on top. I like the camera angles too, especially on the 3Lo-turn-stop. Gosh, I could watch this particular skate a thousand times!!! He hit the jumps, he was fully into the choreography, and he did it all with such an ease and flow. Every element looks like it was supposed to go where it is. It doesn’t feel like, “I’m going to spin right now because I have to” or “Here’s my step sequence for you.” One thing goes right into the next so that you don’t feel like Patrick is simply getting through a checklist of elements. Patrick does spin variations but they’re not super obvious or obtrusive, like so many are these days, even by the great Yuzu (e.g. I’m glad Patrick has never done a doughnut spin or a butt spin). I just LOVE this program SO MUCH because it’s complex but it doesn’t look complex, if you know what I mean. It’s very, very Patrick. I think Mr. Colson would be quite proud of Patrick and David for doing this masterpiece of a program. :yes:
Wow, that was long, but this skate deserved it. And I haven’t even watched the videos with commentary yet. Patrick’s latest tweet sure made me smile. Results aside, I CAN’T WAIT for Worlds!!!
THREE FOR THREE!!! (barely :eekn After the SP, I lowered my placement expectations and only hoped he would get on the podium. BUT HE WON! :yes2: I love his and Kathy’s reaction in the K&C. Patrick says calmly, “And I won,” to which Kathy screams and says, “I didn’t even notice,” and then Patrick says he won overall “by 1 point.” Priceless. Equally priceless, if not more so, was the slap of the ice. It’s as if he was telling the ice, “Take that! I CONQUERED YOU today!” At SC, he reacted with tears, at GPF with a calm smile, and at 4CC with pure excitement and exhilaration. And at the medal ceremony, he was not only singing along to "O Canada" but he was also blinking back tears. Before the comeback, I don't recall him being so emotional on the podium. It was obvious how much it meant to him both at SC and 4CC. It's heartwarming to see his joy.
As for the skate itself, what can I say? It was BREATHTAKINGLY AMAZING!!!!! His jumps were so smooth and beautiful. It's like he knew he was going to land them before he took off. Such confident landings! I have NEVER seen Patrick show this level of comfort with a competitive program, especially a long program, from the very beginning. It was special at 2014 JO and it’s even more special at 2016 4CC. In the past, I’ve felt very lucky as a fan if Patrick had ONE clean LP during the season. This season so far he’s had THREE, although the first two had a tripled 4T and one 3A. How fortunate we have been as fans to watch him have three of his cleanest and best LPs ever in the same season. I hope Boston brings us more of the same.
I also have to say that the CROWD in Taipei was amazing. I knew the results long before I watched the program for the first time, so I wondered if I would feel a high level of excitement as I watched, but thanks to the crowd’s reaction, I definitely did! :yes2: The ROAR when he landed the second 3A was particularly thrilling. As far as non-jump reactions, people clapped after his first step sequence, which is rare, and also during the second camel of the camel-change-camel (does he change edges when he puts his arms behind his back?). These non-jump reactions show how into the entire program the crowd was (in other words, what an artist Patrick is on the ice). And, of course, the roar rising during the combination spin is the cherry on top. I like the camera angles too, especially on the 3Lo-turn-stop. Gosh, I could watch this particular skate a thousand times!!! He hit the jumps, he was fully into the choreography, and he did it all with such an ease and flow. Every element looks like it was supposed to go where it is. It doesn’t feel like, “I’m going to spin right now because I have to” or “Here’s my step sequence for you.” One thing goes right into the next so that you don’t feel like Patrick is simply getting through a checklist of elements. Patrick does spin variations but they’re not super obvious or obtrusive, like so many are these days, even by the great Yuzu (e.g. I’m glad Patrick has never done a doughnut spin or a butt spin). I just LOVE this program SO MUCH because it’s complex but it doesn’t look complex, if you know what I mean. It’s very, very Patrick. I think Mr. Colson would be quite proud of Patrick and David for doing this masterpiece of a program. :yes:
Wow, that was long, but this skate deserved it. And I haven’t even watched the videos with commentary yet. Patrick’s latest tweet sure made me smile. Results aside, I CAN’T WAIT for Worlds!!!
Last edited: