Nathan Chen | Page 172 | Golden Skate

Nathan Chen

oatmella said:
hhh - I feel the same way - Nathan just has this innate charisma. I hardly ever watched men's skating before Nathan - I did watch ladies some but associated men's skating with like bad outfits and a lot of splatfests (2014 OG ...) I actually discovered Nathan through my ballet friend who told me about this guy who was doing a Le Corsaire program. I guess a bit strangely the first thing that drew me in were his arms (could totally see the Russian ballet influence) and posture. Then I was like 'omg' when I saw him do a quad perfectly timed to the descending harp. Then I saw his Nationals Prince Igor FS which I thought was so insane and I've been a fan ever since.

I think it's a combination of Milano and exhaustion, lol.
Click to expand...
I don't think that's strange at all. I was absolutely floored when I saw his Le Corsaire because I couldn't believe someone this elegant and musical could also do quads the way he did. Seeing Le Corsaire at last year's US Nationals was the first time I had seen him skate in a while and it was when I really fell in love with Nathan's skating. And yes, he has IMO the most beautiful arms in skating - just like that port de bras compilation video was able to demonstrate. Le Corsaire was quintessential ballet. I will never understand how so many people could watch that program all season last season and not find him artistic.
 
oatmella said:
Just a little warning that discovering all of Nathan’s past performances can lead to many way too late nights spent watching youtube. Not that I am speaking from experience or anything lol.
Click to expand...

too late for the warning. i've already spent way too many nights watching his videos on youtube.
 
I second on the artistic and the arms + postures are just two of many elements conveying his artistry, the Russian balletic quality (though I only saw a few myself) is one of the epitome of classical dance, those who say nay is either anti-Nathan or assumed because a great technician cannot also encompass artistry. Other’s woodplank arm swinging is praised as “organic” and “fluid” ugh it just kills me... It’s not surprising some don’t recognize his artistry as they see it as a threat to their idols and that’s unfortunate.

About that 2014 OG splatfest, that was when I decided to unwind from following men’s since it was about who fell least not what I remembered as men’s skating but that’s another whole topic.

I love his novice programs, so fun yet filled with youthful artistry and techniques. You can see early on he can blend classical lines and moderns dance into one, he is definitely now.
 
oatmella said:
True, it seems that his haters are the ones who idolize his competitors. But Nathan to me has such natural artistry and it super annoys me that overexagerrated gestures and fake looking facial expressions can pass as 'artistic' and get rewarded with high PCS.
It was cool to see him go from the classical Le Corsaire last season to the more modern Mao's Last Dancer. No matter what program he does, I think there will always be at least some ballet element.
Seriously a lot of people in the ballet world love Nathan and they really wouldn't if he didn't have great artistry.
And me too - love all the little Nathan programs <3
Click to expand...

Hit the nail on the head. It saddens me too to see the “funny business” behind GOE and other### oh well, that’s why he locks down the techniques as there aren’t much room to inflate. Seeing how he’s enriched his artistry from Le Corsaire to Mao's Last Dancer is pure bliss. And earning respect from the professional ballet world speaks volume and shows how he’s grown as an artist, there will always be those who belittle or hate of the greats, whatever. Time to catch zzz.
 
Thanks for the links! His fingerless gloves are so cute!

As a new fan, his arms and hands are definitely among the first a few things I immediately noticed. There are so many details and sensitivity in his hand movements, just naturally blended in every performance. I am hoping for more short sleeves!!!

What I love him the most is how he delivered the elegance and sensitivity in a masculine, modern and COOL way. This is how I see him different from all other top skaters.
 
A little tentative, I thought. Not the best quality of jumps. Probably nervous, but he made it through.
 
Seems a little low? Oh well - clean enough and he can bring it in the long.
Yay Nathan!! <3
 
I wonder if he’s still not in his best jumping form like he was earlier on in the season, which makes him having to focus so much mental energy just on the jumps alone.
 
yyyskate said:
agreed, but he get the job done. all jumping passes barely squeezed the rotation in. the landings are all clean which is a first this season for SP.
Click to expand...

I seem to remember negative GOE for the 4Lz3T. Where it would be the other way around earlier in the season.
 
Just hope in the next a few days, Nathan focuses on the process how to deliver a clean LP rather than podium or gold medal :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

dorispulaski
2026 U.S. Nationals Novice Pairs
Replies
7
Views
1K
Silevril Ilumire
Silevril Ilumire
4everchan
2026 Canadian Nationals : Women's Short Program
9 10 11
Replies
200
Views
9K
4everchan
4everchan
rabidline
Shoma Uno
105 106 107
Replies
2K
Views
39K
Figskater23
F
4everchan
2026 Canadian Nationals : Senior Rhythm Dance
10 11 12
Replies
236
Views
10K
viennaskater
viennaskater
4everchan
2026 Canadian Nationals : Women's Long Program
12 13 14
Replies
276
Views
10K
4everchan
4everchan
Back
Top