Patrick Chan

[ciocio]

I hope too.

[Olympia]

Michelle had some of the quietest skating ever. Very effortless acceleration and marvelous use of edge. If you read the book (the title escapes me at the moment) from the American judge and 2002 Olympic Team Leader who blew the whistle to the referee after the pairs event (who got kicked out of the ISU for trying to start the WSF with Dick Button and a few others as an alternative over riding federation), he talks about judging an event when Kwan was up and coming and seeing her on practice ice. Sublime SKATER. I hear the same from one of my coaches who skated in California with Frank Carroll about the time Michelle was a Junior and moving into the Senior ranks.

Thanks, mskater93! I couldn't have answered this question with the level of detail it deserves. I've frequently heard that many of Michelle's elements were "textbook," but I wouldn't have known how to go about explaining why people have said so. As it's probably easy to tell from my comments, I'm a fan but have no skating experience at all, and there are some aspects of skating that can only be understood by someone who skates, or pointed out by such a person.

I'm curious; is that blade control something innate, or can it be taught? Obviously it must be emphasized by the coach, whether it's inborn or not, but can someone have more of it than someone else just by natural gift? Either way, blessings on Frank Carroll for being such a meticulous teacher. He gave Michelle a huge advantage by emphasizing the proper technique rather than rushing her to get jumps before she knew how to "build" them. Wouldn't it have been great if he'd been coaching Caroline Zhang from an early age....

Not meaning to hijack the thread, but this knowledge will also help me understand what to look for in Patrick's skating.

[mmcdermott]

Yes, I'm also expecting him to skate much better at nationals this year. I remember reading an article with a quote from Kristen Moore-Towers (I think it was her), saying that if your program seems easy at the beginning of the season, then it's too easy. Maybe Patrick is experiencing that too. His choreography is certainly very ambitious, combined with all his technical content, and his new focus on improving his interpretation and reaching the audience.

I must be the only one, but I find Patrick's personality to be kind of endearing. He says what he's thinking, and he speaks the truth. It's not always the most politically correct thing to say, and it's often taken out of context. But that's human. It's so refreshing compared to most athletes and other celebrities who are so guarded and rehearsed, even to the point of lying. Patrtick seems like a real person. We need more of that in this sport, not less.

Thanks for starting this thread, Doris!

[Boeing787]

..........I don't know if he'll be at 4Conts, anybody know?

Yes, he will. He said that in an interview.

[Boeing787]

Yes, I'm also expecting him to skate much better at nationals this year. I remember reading an article with a quote from Kristen Moore-Towers (I think it was her), saying that if your program seems easy at the beginning of the season, then it's too easy. Maybe Patrick is experiencing that too. His choreography is certainly very ambitious, combined with all his technical content, and his new focus on improving his interpretation and reaching the audience.

I must be the only one, but I find Patrick's personality to be kind of endearing. He says what he's thinking, and he speaks the truth. It's not always the most politically correct thing to say, and it's often taken out of context. But that's human. It's so refreshing compared to most athletes and other celebrities who are so guarded and rehearsed, even to the point of lying. Patrtick seems like a real person. We need more of that in this sport, not less.

Thanks for starting this thread, Doris!

I 2nd it. I found him a goofy boy next door, yet with this rare talent. Sooooo cute!

[ImaginaryPogue]

I first saw Chan skate at 4CC 2009. Even with a mild infelicity (the lack of flow on the 3-3 combo), it's one of the great SP skates, imo. The precision of movement, the technical difficulty of the choreography, the terrific musicality, that HUGE triple axel. Clearly a man to watch. So even when he struggled with injury, the sudden coaching change, the tendency to run his mouth, I can help but respond to what he does.

And that legendary skate at Canadian Nationals. Man alive, that was epic. As he improves over the years, I hope to see him pushing himself further - different choregraphers, different emotional goals in his programs, but even if he doesn't, he'll always be one of my favourites.

[emma]

Strange, why aren't there many posts? I thought it would have been several pages already. Come on, don't be shy. Let's give Chan some support.

I know.....I feel bad for not writing more, as I just adore this skater! But, grading, holiday shopping, house cleaning for guests...it's a very busy time right now for many.

I hope he performs at Nats this year just like he did in 2010 Nats......http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPcPTXUh1uA. It was awsome.

This!

I first saw Chan skate at 4CC 2009. Even with a mild infelicity (the lack of flow on the 3-3 combo), it's one of the great SP skates, imo. The precision of movement, the technical difficulty of the choreography, the terrific musicality, that HUGE triple axel. Clearly a man to watch. So even when he struggled with injury, the sudden coaching change, the tendency to run his mouth, I can help but respond to what he does.

And that legendary skate at Canadian Nationals. Man alive, that was epic. As he improves over the years, I hope to see him pushing himself further - different choregraphers, different emotional goals in his programs, but even if he doesn't, he'll always be one of my favourites.

That's so great that you have seen him live - I do hope to have the opportunity. And you saw him with that amazing performance at nationals?? wow!! As a figure skating fan, I feel we are so lucky to have skaters like Chan who are not only amazing, but keep trying to learn and grow and improve or change.

[gkelly]

I'm curious; is that blade control something innate, or can it be taught? Obviously it must be emphasized by the coach, whether it's inborn or not, but can someone have more of it than someone else just by natural gift?

I'm sure an experienced coach could answer better than I could. But I think it's a combination -- some kids have a natural gift for finding their balance over the blade and for controlling the path the blade makes over the ice with efficient use of their whole body, so if they're taught the necessary skills they will learn them easily.

I say "kids" because I think it helps a lot to start young while movement habits and neural pathways are still forming. But there are still differences in this kind of talent among skaters of the same age.

Others have to struggle more to achieve control and will never make it look effortless.

Still, a skater of average talent who started training edge skills at an early age (e.g., school figures or other stroking exercises that demand precision) will probably do better than a skater who is naturally gifted but self-taught or taught by a coach who doesn't focus on that kind of technique.

[mskater93]

I'm curious; is that blade control something innate, or can it be taught? Obviously it must be emphasized by the coach, whether it's inborn or not, but can someone have more of it than someone else just by natural gift?

The quietness of blade is a once in a generation kind of skater. It's innate and can't be taught. You can learn to be a quieter skater who generates power effortlessly if your coaches emphasize skating skills, but there are few skaters who can skate like THAT, no matter how hard they work. Chan, Kwan, Lynn, Curry, and Fleming are skaters that are typically grouped together as those kinds of skaters.

[Boeing787]

The quietness of blade is a once in a generation kind of skater. It's innate and can't be taught. You can learn to be a quieter skater who generates power effortlessly if your coaches emphasize skating skills, but there are few skaters who can skate like THAT, no matter how hard they work. Chan, Kwan, Lynn, Curry, and Fleming are skaters that are typically grouped together as those kinds of skaters.

Sorry but what does the quietness of blade mean? I think when when Patrick Chan skates it's not quiet at all.

[Ilvskating]

I don't think Patrick is extremely musical but he's definitely above average in that department. He showed great improvement in his LP this year, and I start to believe that he is quite musical. I like his honesty and unguarded personality but he does need to think before speak to better phrase his thought. I also wish reporters stop trapping him. I love his skating skill and his constant improvement. I'd like him to be a little bit more modest but I guess a champion needs that kind of spirit somehow. I wish he ditch his SP, it was not that good the first round, and becomes boring for the second year. I wish he explore more styles in choreography but nobody is one-fit-all, so I'm fine if he sticks with what he likes best. I want to see clean performances at nationals and at World with abundance in performance as he did in the later part of his LP during the GPF. It was great. I'd like to see him put that second type of quad into his LP some day before 2014 and get the top notch technical difficulty with consistency and get OGM. He's a very nice young man/boy and I wish him all the best!

[Boeing787]

I don't think Patrick is extremely musical but he's definitely above average in that department. He showed great improvement in his LP this year, and I start to believe that he is quite musical. I like his honesty and unguarded personality but he does need to think before speak to better phrase his thought. I also wish reporters stop trapping him. I love his skating skill and his constant improvement. I'd like him to be a little bit more modest but I guess a champion needs that kind of spirit somehow. I wish he ditch his SP, it was not that good the first round, and becomes boring for the second year. I wish he explore more styles in choreography but nobody is one-fit-all, so I'm fine if he sticks with what he likes best. I want to see clean performances at nationals and at World with abundance in performance as he did in the later part of his LP during the GPF. It was great. I'd like to see him put that second type of quad into his LP some day before 2014 and get the top notch technical difficulty with consistency and get OGM. He's a very nice young man/boy and I wish him all the best!

He is very musical, but he cannot move his head, body and hands the way Takahashi does. He doesn't have it.

[SkateFiguring]

So Patrick will skate next at Japan Nationals Gala. Nice to be invited; it shows his skating is appreciated in Japan. I'm sure he'll enjoy watching the competitions too, especially Men. I hope to be able to celebrate Christmas with Japan Nationals on stream.

This season has been too full of drama for Patrick. Last season he started out with raised techical level but debuting 4t tripped him mentally. First competition this season, 2 falls were excusable though they were really freaky, a random fall and the clicking of blades into the 4T resulting in the fall after the jump was completed. Then he was sick for TEB and carried it into the GPF, in addition to the tremendous distraction and stress from the manufactured controversy.

Will he add a new quad at the Nationals? If he had skated the GPF clean, I would guess he wil, as that would mirror last year's progress that he's modeling this year's on. There is a month between the GPF and the Nationals so there is plenty of time for him to get well and catch up with his training, which suffered from a short busy summer. So it depends much on his progress and confidence on the new quad and the program. Will he pull both off, skating a clean program with an additional quad, like he did last year? I am pulling for him to do well, with or without the new quad. We deserve a flawless Patrick Chan's Aranjuez for eternity.

Last year's Nationals was the final pratice for Worlds, a dress rehearsal in his mind and it was mightly successful. This year he will go to the 4CC before Worlds since it's held in the US, not in Asia like last year. More practice and more prize money, why not? (He was probably counting on it, and the Japan Gala, when he donated half his GPF's prize. )

Patrick has a habit of delivering what he says. So I guess we can wait to hear from him again. Sometimes I wish he wouldn't have to announce his plan before he skates but there's no escaping it as a headliner Skate Canada counts on for promotion of the events it sponsors.

Go Patrick!

[mskater93]

Sorry but what does the quietness of blade mean? I think when when Patrick Chan skates it's not quiet at all.

You've never been around a skater who has that factor, then. If you ever just saw Kwan (or Chan) just stroke around the rink without any music playing, there's a quietness to it versus most other skaters when they are accelerating. I can't even describe it. It's an innate skill that has to be cultivated by a knowledgable coach. As I said, anyone can learn to stroke nicely and fairly quietly and generate power effortlessly, but there are once in a generation kinds of skaters that take this ability to a different level.

[Boeing787]

You've never been around a skater who has that factor, then. If you ever just saw Kwan (or Chan) just stroke around the rink without any music playing, there's a quietness to it versus most other skaters when they are accelerating. I can't even describe it. It's an innate skill that has to be cultivated by a knowledgable coach. As I said, anyone can learn to stroke nicely and fairly quietly and generate power effortlessly, but there are once in a generation kinds of skaters that take this ability to a different level.

Thanks! I will pay more attention to the sound next time.