The Novice Events (as seen on computer)

[Joesitz]

After seeing Chen's LP, I've changed my mind about him. He did not use the little boy look, but performed as a young man. And he was quite competitive. Hope he continues to grow.

I don't compare skaters in Novice events with skaters in Juniors or Seniors, and certainly not with another Federation which I never see.

Some posters disliked Chock and Zuerlain when they first got into Seniors, but they are a contending team now. I think whatever the Parsons have to do, they will do it by Seniors so I'm on their bandwagon.

Ladies and Pairs, for me, are just not worth mentioning.

[Nadine]

Well I can't believe I actually sat through a whole hour or so watching Novice Mens SPs because of all the talk about Nathan Chen.

Anyhow, here are some of my impressions:

I looooooooved Marcus Mimidis's SP to the Beatles Live & Let Die! He had the whole look going on as well, tall long & lean with nice white shirt + black pants. Very calm, cool, and collected. (;^)

Jordan Moeller is America's version of Takahiko Kozuka, from the music to the moves, he's just taller is all. :D

Alexander Bjelde has big airy jumps, but what I looooved most of all was the music from "Quantum of Solace". You seriously have to 007 to skate to this, and he was, reminded me of Jack White a bit, taking names & kicking booty: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suXkdsftsVU

Can't believe Lukas Kaugars is 15 yrs. old!!!! He's built like Rockne Brubaker, lumber jack, with muscles galore! He did GREAT here, especially that 3/2 combo. with John Curry flair overhead, but what I would really like to see him in is PAIRS skating. My gosh, with that bod & that strength he could lift those 60/70/80 pound girls overhead like it was nothing. Hope to see him switch soon. *hint, here's your guy, Amanda Dobbs* (;^)

Alas, there was Nathan Chen, 11 yrs. old & built like he's 5 yrs. old. And that's the honest to God truth. He did equally GREAT, but seriously he's not only 4/5 years younger than the young men here, but also he's about 3'8" tall & weighs about 40 pounds, no wonder he can do all those pretzel circus tricks. The men versus the child were approximately 2 feet taller than him, and weighed about 2times more as well. I did like his Wild West type number, and he did get a SO, but come on of course who can't resist the baby showing off. I will be more impressed when he grows up a bit; would love to see him at age 15/16, then we'll talk, but for now let the kid have his moment!!!!

[Joesitz]

^^^
If it were not for Chen, I would have tied all the Men as equal. They were all that good. IMO, Marcus Mimidis was very much under scored.

[SkateFiguring]

Alas, there was Nathan Chen, 11 yrs. old & built like he's 5 yrs. old. And that's the honest to God truth. He did equally GREAT, but seriously he's not only 4/5 years younger than the young men here, but also he's about 3'8" tall & weighs about 40 pounds, no wonder he can do all those pretzel circus tricks. The men versus the child were approximately 2 feet taller than him, and weighed about 2times more as well. I did like his Wild West type number, and he did get a SO, but come on of course who can't resist the baby showing off. I will be more impressed when he grows up a bit; would love to see him at age 15/16, then we'll talk, but for now let the kid have his moment!!!!

Well, take a look at Canada's Junior podium picture!

I have been and will be following Chen's and Nguyen's developments and expect rivalry when they compete internationally and possibly a showdown at 2018 Olympics. But who knows how they each will progress and what other talent may burst out of nowhere. Right now these two little dynamos are the most exciting talents to watch.

I disagree with the implication that it's easier for them because of their little stature because this simply does not bear out generally. They are the extreme exceptions among skaters of their size and age. I haven't watched Chen's latest yet but from his recent skates, I saw skills and sophistication beyonds his years, the only thing lacking being speed due to his size and lack of strength, much like Baby Michelle at the same age. Boys have the unfair advantage of simply getting bigger and stronger as they grow instead of being detailed by the Puberty Monster. We should see them improve technically with time. It's other elements and development, mental and environmental, that need to be watched over.

[jnoble82]

I really liked the Men! Jordan reminded me of Jeremy Abbott in a lot of ways (some others say Johnny Weir but as I'm not a Weir fan I'll just Jeremy :-) ) I liked Lukas a lot as well as Little Nathan! He was amazing! I had a soft spot for poor Cale who just broke down in his free but I liked him anyways.

Ice Dance was great, in my opinion.

I didn't watch much of the ladies if I'm honest so I won't say much about them except Hannah Miller's SP costume made her look nine.

Pairs...oh pairs. Another I didn't pay much attention to except for raising my eyebrow at the 17 year old skating with the 11 year old. I think it only drew my eyes because she ended at his hip. their height difference made it slight uncomfortable to watch but maybe once she grows it won't look so weird.

[Nadine]

Well, take a look at Canada's Junior podium picture!

Egads, my stars, what is this world coming! *Nadine faints & passes out*

All levity aside, these kids remind me of Sonja Henie, and when I wrote those words the other day I couldn't help thinking of what Sonja said about her first Olympics at age 11 ~ all the other competitors, et al, were saying "what is this, a kindergarten". I now understand what they felt, as well as Sonja to some degree, as she said the experience was invaluable.

Who knows what their future holds, but for now I say let the kids have their moment ~ Congratulations!

[Mathman]

Alas, there was Nathan Chen, 11 yrs. old & built like he's 5 yrs. old. And that's the honest to God truth. He did equally GREAT, but seriously he's not only 4/5 years younger than the young men here, but also he's about 3'8" tall & weighs about 40 pounds, no wonder he can do all those pretzel circus tricks. The men versus the child were approximately 2 feet taller than him, and weighed about 2 times more as well.

Chen is four foot five. His "circus tricks" included two triple Lutzes, a triple flip, a triple loop, and triple Salchow and a triple toe loop. You may like the the 14 year old "men" better, but this is a competition, may the best man win.

[Nadine]

Oops, looks like I hit a nerve. To clarify I'm talking about his ability to transform himself into a human pretzel when it comes to the spins, but I think you knew that already. And the "young men" were ages 15 & 16, the majority IIRC, with maybe a 17 yr. old thrown in? Nathan Chen is the youngest.

He actually reminds me of Tara Lipinski, you know that other young American phenom whom set the world on fire at such a young age, eventually winning the Olympic Gold Medal in 1998, all at 15 yrs. of age. The youngest Olympic Gold Medalist in history. If Nathan Chen keeps it up the possibilities are endless, mayhap another Olympic Gold Medalist at 15 yrs. of age (that's if he's eligible)?

[Mrs. P]

Oops, looks like I hit a nerve. To clarify I'm talking about his ability to transform himself into a human pretzel when it comes to the spins, but I think you knew that already. And the "young men" were ages 15 & 16, the majority IIRC, with maybe a 17 yr. old thrown in? Nathan Chen is the youngest.

He actually reminds me of Tara Lipinski, you know that other young American phenom whom set the world on fire at such a young age, eventually winning the Olympic Gold Medal in 1998, all at 15 yrs. of age. The youngest Olympic Gold Medalist in history. If Nathan Chen keeps it up the possibilities are endless, mayhap another Olympic Gold Medalist at 15 yrs. of age (that's if he's eligible)?

Unfortunately, Nathan Chen's birthday is May 5, 1999. That means he will not turn 15 until May 5, 2014, making him not eligible for Sochi.

Nam Nguyen, his Canadian counterpart, is one year older -- May 20, 1998 -- so he would be able to compete in the Olympics in 2014. He would be 15 at the Olympics. He would also have a shot at breaking Dick Button's record as the youngest men's olympic champion (18). Wouldn't it be something if Nguyen AND Chan ended up on the podium. It's a totally wild thought!

So yeah the real Olympic showdown will probably be in 2018 when Chen is 18 and Nguyen is 19. While Chen would be the same age as Button if he won the Olympic Gold, he wouldn't break the record because his birthday is in May and Dick's is in July.

[Nadine]

Yeah, Mrs. P., anything is possible. This actually reminds me of Mao & Yuna in terms of rivalry, phenoms at such a young age, which wasn't just fantasy either, as each made it through puberty just fine and continued their rivarly into adulthood. And I wouldn't be surprised to see that happen with these two.

And who knows, Canada may have two men on the Olympic podium in Sochi ~ Chan & Nguyen ~ one being the youngest Olympic Mens Champion in history to tie Tara Lipinski as the youngest Olympic Womens Champion.

[burntBREAD]

Nathan's FS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCURjcilXUY

[SkateFiguring]

And who knows, Canada may have two men on the Olympic podium in Sochi ~ Chan & Nguyen ~ one being the youngest Olympic Mens Champion in history to tie Tara Lipinski as the youngest Olympic Womens Champion.

I don't see Nam winning over Patrick by 2014. 23 is in the men's peak years while a 15 year old boy, unlike girls, still has a lot of growing to do, physically and technically. Even with all the skills, he will not have the full power of a man. For Nam to have a chance of beating Dick's record, Patrick would have to not compete in 2014. And then there are all these other talented young men coming up as well. I think a "man" has to be at least 17 to have a chance of winning an OGM, depending on the field. Under COP all skills are taken into consideration so being exceptionally good in one area of skating is not enough. It does take time to develop into an all round skater, whatever the order of skills acquired.

Mentally, to compete well in the epitome of all competitions, one needs to be young enough to not be bogged down in the mind or old and experienced enough to deal with extraordinary pressures. While it's not uncommon to have young female phenoms in the first category, men generally need to acquire mental strength as they develop and peak later.

Interesting we are looking to the Novice for the future. (Nam is not Junior eligible internationally though he plans to join the Canadian Senior next year. He was checking out the atmostphere at Seniors this year as preparation!)

[Nadine]

I really want to watch all the Novice & Junior programs, but right now I just don't have the time, yet what I have seen thus far has definitely whetted my appetite and I definitely will make time to watch them when I get the chance.

GOOOOOOO USA!!!!!!!!!

[katymay]

Nathan's FS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCURjcilXUY

Thank you for posting-what fun to watch! Judging by one Youtube comment already posted , the jealousy monster has already reared its ugly head. The more things change in this sport, the more they stay the same. This sport requires such a giant family sacrifice, that perhaps it is natural that bad feelings erupt when another kid is a prodigy. And whatever happens in the future for Nathan Chen, I can't believe there has ever been another 11 year old this spectacular. (Midori Ito had the jumps, but not sure the rest was in place at this age.)

[A.H.Black]

Concerning Nathan Chen. I can see the difference between last year and this year - between 10 and 11.

- He's a little bit stronger.
- He has a bit better ice coverage.
- He said he was pleased to get 2 points more in component marks over last year. I can see every bit of that improvement in his presentation.
- He is a little less wooden even in Kiss and Cry.


I hope Nathan stays in skating and becomes a great champion. He comes from a high achieving family and has many interests - including ballet as well as gymnastics, hockey and the piano. Who knows what the future will bring. I am trying to enjoy his skating to the fullest now.