Nathan Chen

[shine]

Does Nathan need a coach who has experience in teaching quads? Or more like a coach who can help him maintain his quads (with some improvements as always of course)

Raf is obviously a good jump coach - but his sample size of skaters he has taught quads to isn’t extremely large afaik - though I understand he helped Romain get a quad and I’m not sure who else

Alexander Abt, Raf was his coach for over a decade. And perhaps Sergei Voronov? I know he trained with Raf when he was still in Russia - not sure if he was doing quads back then. Although it's true other than Nathan and Sasha Abt, I don't know if Raf has had the opportunity to work with a elite male skater from the ground up.

 

[SkatingMusic]

Interestingly, Abt was #5 at the Olympics as well.

 

[SkatingMusic]

Who was Tim Gabriel’s old coach? He was once a quad king.

 

[Hollymolly]

The list of coaches who have successfully taught quads preceded by nice transitions must not be very long. Are any of them in the US?

Um... nope..

 

[yyyskate]

The list of coaches who have successfully taught quads preceded by nice transitions must not be very long. Are any of them in the US?

sometimes, you quad technique details decided what kinda linking steps you can do going into it. for example. it is very difficult for Nathan to do a counter into 3A for his current 3A technique (he can do counter into 2A tho).
I am legit a little worried about Nathan's transition especially directly transition into his Quad next season. considering +-5 GOE. Nathan's transition into and out of easier quad 4S, 4T, 3A is inferior to Shoma and Yuzuru.

 

[SkatingMusic]

In a previous interview, I recall Raf saying he considered this to be a successful result - considering his competitors were legends such as Plushenko, Yagudin and the original American Quad King Goebel

Very true. Though time indeed.

 

[alexaa]

The obvious solution is Patrick Chan. LOL

That would be a really nice!! But hey, let us be realistic, Patrick's planned skating school seems to going to be in Vancouver, plus, he would need go through tons of paperwork to go through some certification process, the latter, which I remember from what I read, is one of the factors Orser doesn't take American skater unless he really think it is worth the effort.

 

[SkatingMusic]

That would be a really nice!! But hey, let us be realistic, Patrick's skating school seems to be in Vancouver, plus, he would needs go through tons of paperwork to go through some certification process, the latter, which I remember from what I read, is one of the factors Orser doesn't take American skater unless he really think it is worth the effort.

Patrick already has a school? I thought he just retired. Oh well.

 

[yyyskate]

I don’t know Raf’s full history - but he has said before he doesn’t get a lot of young skaters or that he’s too tough for them.
Nathan is the only one who has survived Raf since childhood!

i really don't think so , I think Raf must have had many younger students in his career (and I kr he has a couple of young skaters rn), otherwise he would not take a young Nathan.
it is just only Nathan turn out to become this great.
yes Raf is talking to media and says it is because no younger skaters were send to him and asked for more. but I really don't think it is because of that.

 

[Hollymolly]

Patrick already has a school? I thought he just retired. Oh well.

Patrick did not announce the definite plan for the future, But recently he interviewed with CBC, He settle in Vacouver.

 

[shine]

In a previous interview, I recall Raf saying he considered this to be a successful result - considering his competitors were legends such as Plushenko, Yagudin and the original American Quad King Goebel

OT but Abt was considered a much better overall skater than Goebel, with probably the best skating skills during that era of mens skating. He came close to beating Yagudin at the 2002 Euros, whose win was controversial that year IIRC.

 

[SkatingMusic]

I heard it’s easy for Canadians to get a working visa in the US. Not a big deal.

 

[SkatingMusic]

OT but Abt was considered a much better overall skater than Goebel, with probably the best skating skills during that era of mens' skating. He came close to beating Yagudin at the 2002 Euros, whose win was controversial that year IIRC.

I agree. Goebel was on the podium not Abt was a disappointing result for Abt.

 

[sheetz]

Patrick doesn't have a school yet. He said it's a few years away.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

that is because high profile coaches are retiring such as Frank C. and the reason why Ashley went to Raf in the first place.

Yet low profile and upcoming coaches are too risky for high profile skaters to consider and try out.

Raf is about in the middle and with Nathan's success, that is why.

AFAIK Frank isn't retiring just yet. There's plenty of other high profile coaches that haven't been named here yet, but that's besides the point, Raf is one of them though.

 

[yyyskate]

AFAIK Frank isn't retiring just yet. There's plenty of other high profile coaches that haven't been named here yet, but that's besides the point, Raf is one of them though.

are you the "Rabbit" Sean Rabbitt, just curious?

 

[SkatingMusic]

I know this potentially will open the can of worms again. If Raf’s two elite male skaters both finished lower than their capabilities at the Olympics, what does this say about his ability as a head coach? If I use an analogy in the business world, Raf is an SVP of Engineering type of coach. Orser and Torasovs are CEO level coach. People don’t crank out multiple Olympics champions for no reason.

 

[alexaa]

I know we love Nathan and all and he does have fans

But his fame is not quite at Emma Watson level ...

Hopefully his fellow Yalies will respect his privacy and even if there’s a sticky situation, I know Nathan will handle it well

I know Nathan is not as popular as Emma Watson, I just would like Nathan to be firm/tough if he doesn't really want to do something. He is way TOO nice.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

are you the "Rabbit" Sean Rabbitt, just curious?

No I'm a female retired elite skater, now pro.

- - - Updated - - -

I know this potentially will open the can of worms again. If Raf’s two elite male skaters both finished lower than their capabilities at the Olympics, what does this say about his ability as a head coach? If I use an analogy in the business world, Raf is an SVP of Engineering type of coach. Orser and Torasovs are CEO level coach. People don’t crank out multiple Olympics champions for no reason.

It's more about influence with the judges and feds than anything TBH. :sarcasm:

 

[yyyskate]

Isn’t that part of what we love about Nathan though? Some would have balked at the rather homemade Walmart meet and greets - but Nathan got through them with a smile and even looked like he was having some fun in front of the cheap clothes, on sale Pepsi’s (not even coca-cola), posing with paper hearts and Tony the Tiger

haha only partly kidding - but it seems he is so nice (too nice)

awwww, I love Nathan sooooo much:luv17::