Nathan Chen

[heyheyhey]

^ Their press release in the website says it’s opening in June so idk tbh lol.

 

[shine]

If we’re going by his first outing last season at US International Classics, then yes, he did in fact change several transitions in the SP.
Initally there were a few more „difficult“ steps/turns or embellishment in there…

Granted, he seems to have changed a few of them because his 3A was unstable or because they didn’t fit his usual, simple quad set-ups and would have taken out speed/flow, but again, it shows that he’s not willing or not yet capable of incorporating anything more difficult than a FI mohawk before his quads.
(even the short and quick hint of a FI blues-choctaw-leaning-towards-a-mohawk thingy, that he used to do before his 4T, doesn’t seem comfortable enough anymore)

Changes that caught my eye, from its first version to worlds (yes I know, he’s changed the jump layout so naturally some transitions would or should end up in another place of the program):

(during crossovers at the short end of the rink)
BO choctaw, FI counter —> step from an BO edge (with less of a "choctaw character" because is seems to switch to a slight BI) to FI edge, FI mohawk

(during set-up for the first jump)
FI bracket -> nothing

(directly after the spread eagle sequence after crossing over)
BO 3turn, FI Mohawk —> step forward, FI Mohawk

(directly after second jump)
an unlisted one-revolution jump (don’t know if it has a name, sometimes done in StSqs) from FI to a „tapped“ FI, FI 3turn —> just the FI 3turn

(setting up third jump)
FI counter, that quick FI blues choctaw/mohawk whatever thingy -> well, nothing

And it’s not like I sat down and extensively compared his later versions to this first one, those changes were immediately apparent to me, because those little differences in the stepwork did change the look of the program for me, even though it doesn’t look like thaaat many changes.




I actually don’t think that’s true, I think this season he seems to be quite „lazy“ in his ex programs, often simplifying steps and such. His BFTE program is mostly ok I guess, a bit repetitive though, for me he used to do more in previous seasons, and show some more versatility.

Also, speaking of changes in Nemesis, during SOI he’s always substituted that one FO bracket in the StSq for a simple mohawk, too… and I have to admit, it really bugs me, even though it’s just a detail. Because once again, it looks way cooler in its original version, and also, why change it, it’s not super difficult or anything (and couldn’t he treat the SOI performances as a kind of practice for his competitions, doing the slightly more „challenging“ footwork and not taking the easy way out…?)


ETA:


Please no, Raf would probably squeeze him to death!

Great post and analysis! I agree with all those changes you listed. Those more complex turns which he gradually took out in his LP also was quite disappointing to me. I was also a bit saddened when he took out that counter (I think?) entry into the solo 3A in his SP. He still had it at CoR, and I thought he might have taken it out at SA because of the last minute blade problem which was hindering his 3A, but he never put it back in since... Nathan definitely has a lot to do in terms of silencing his critics regarding program transitions and here's hoping he has a plan to incorporate more of those back as he gets more comfortable with his quads (or I would be more than happy if he could just take out 1 or 2 quads all together).

Regarding him being "lazy" in exh and his Nemesis bracket that was changed to a mohawk in SOI though - I think he might have changed this one because the whole timing of Nemesis was altered because of the simpler jump layout for the shows. That bracket used to be done on the word "passion" but he's now much ahead of the music and added arm/hand flourishes right after that move to extend his step sequence to make it still somewhat match the music, and perhaps it's just smoother that way. I might be a little more lenient and excuse him on this one Other than that, I don't really see how he's being lazy in exhibitions - actually quite the opposite! For one, those different camel positions he seems to be experimenting in Nemesis are looking quite good. Hope he puts them in his programs next year!

 

[hhh]

Apparently Ashley thinks she’s still gonna continue to skate according to Raf. It’s gonna be a full house this summer for team Raf, hope Adam continues as like a side coach or choreo for them. I think he helped choreo one of Nathan’s routines before right?

https://twitter.com/ifsmagazine/status/993516742927355909?s=21

That’s good, I think one doesn’t have to stop doing what they love or compete even if podiums are far reaching hardwares never represented the spirit of sports, hope Adam comes back to skate too.

Thanks bonita and sheetz - love the Helsinki time, he seemed to enjoy it there and went out to push the envelope on 6 quads, a daredevil inside. I have borrow my grannies glasses to read the post haha but so nice of fans to share these pieces.

Kept forgetting to say this - @ heyheyhey love your avatar!!

Hope al of them can have a restful week after the air and land travel...

 

[yyyskate]

@shine the initial entry to 3A in red-shirt nemesis USIC is bracket to 3A. which is the opening jump. then at COR, SA(practice), 3A is changed to the third jump the entry is a counter. that is my judgement, the bracket or counter he does are not perfect and quite flat so it is hard to tell. but anyway it is a quite good transition into 3A better than nothing.

the counter or bracket step into 3A is one type of 3A entry Nathan attempted, he also can do spread-eagle into 3A. he can do counter directly into 2A.

 

[heyheyhey]

That’s good, I think one doesn’t have to stop doing what they love or compete even if podiums are far reaching hardwares never represented the spirit of sports, hope Adam comes back to skate too.

Thanks bonita and sheetz - love the Helsinki time, he seemed to enjoy it there and went out to push the envelope on 6 quads, a daredevil inside. I have borrow my grannies glasses to read the post haha but so nice of fans to share these pieces.

Kept forgetting to say this - @ heyheyhey love your avatar!!

Hope al of them can have a restful week after the air and land travel...

[emoji5] Thanks! Signature curls, signature smile, signature gold medal...had to make it my avi [emoji23]

Ashley can still be competitive honestly, she’s like Kostner in that I’d never count her out.

I still haven’t ever watched his 2017 Worlds, I don’t like seeing him not podium so I avoid that & the OG Short Programs like the plague (The free is historic so ofc I have to watch) [emoji38]

 

[shine]

@yyyskate, yeah I looked again and his exit edge was not very clear. It could've been an RBI or an RBO that quickly changed to RBI. At Rostelecom it looked like it was RFI to RBI (a counter). Another area Nathan needs to work on - to improve the clarity of his turns!

 

[oatmella]

Helsinki is really beautiful - no surprise that Nathan would love it there.

I read this before on a travel blog: http://youngadventuress.com/2016/05/helsinki-travel-tips.html

3. Introverted and quiet
This is probably my favorite thing I loved about Finland – if I had to describe the main personality trait there, it would probably be introverted and fairly quiet. People talk here when they have something to say. There is not stupid chit chat, no pointless banter, no personal space issues. Just glorious silence and mild awkwardness. End of story.

Hell yes, I’ve finally found my people!

While you might not believe I’m naturally introverted, let me assure you, I am. I don’t like people and I love to be alone and quiet. I’d be a hermit if I could. I hate when someone sits next to me on a bus and I avoid eye contact when I can. Though I do like hugs. If you’re like that then start packing you bags and move to Finland.

 

[Mamamiia]

Helsinki is really beautiful - no surprise that Nathan would love it there.

I read this before on a travel blog: http://youngadventuress.com/2016/05/helsinki-travel-tips.html

3. Introverted and quiet
This is probably my favorite thing I loved about Finland – if I had to describe the main personality trait there, it would probably be introverted and fairly quiet. People talk here when they have something to say. There is not stupid chit chat, no pointless banter, no personal space issues. Just glorious silence and mild awkwardness. End of story.

Hell yes, I’ve finally found my people!

While you might not believe I’m naturally introverted, let me assure you, I am. I don’t like people and I love to be alone and quiet. I’d be a hermit if I could. I hate when someone sits next to me on a bus and I avoid eye contact when I can. Though I do like hugs. If you’re like that then start packing you bags and move to Finland.

LOL are they going to have another competition ther in a year or two?

 

[1111bm]

I like the 3A from a RFI counter entry (he could also add a BI rocker before that), but I'm not sure this would ever be a comfortable entry for him, assuming his 3A is finally somewhat stable... he used to do the 2A from double 3turns on his right leg, with an edge change to a BO edge... so quite a similar position to jump from as the RFI counter entry... but he's never done his 3A this way, so that's telling... but then again, he never got to a point where it was a reliable jump for him, so...

@yyyskate, yeah I looked again and his exit edge was not very clear. It could've been an RBI or an RBO that quickly changed to RBI. At Rostelecom it looked like it was RFI to RBI (a counter). Another area Nathan needs to work on - to improve the clarity of his turns!

Oh, don't you rather mean "RBI quickly changed to a RBO"? Because that's what I think happened.

Rostelecom: definitely a counter; US Int Classic: bracket with an unclean edge change...

And I actually don't think clarity of turns is something Nathan needs to work on, or at least not more or less than any other skater... I see skaters with supposedly oh-so-great skating skills like Yuzu e.g. do the occasional unclear or somewhat shallow turn/edge all the time, so... (or at least to me they don't look so great all the time, not an expert here, of course)

I think what happened here is, Nathan has risen from his knee to do the turn, and then he didn't go down on a bend skating leg immediately after the turn, but he stayed elevated on a straight leg instead (for stylistic reasons, to give the turn a short moment of emphasis)... and staying upright like that probably "pulled" him on an inside edge for a moment, because afaik it's harder in that position to get on that outside edge and stabilise it...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpncX3aMxsI&t=56

He used to do a similar FI bracket (where he's holding the BO edge for emphasis) for years, in his Stole the Show exhibition program for instance, but there he first bends down after the turn, and then he rises up again:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IWrJOhUVl0&t=63
you can see clearly how this way, he ends up with a nice, rather deep BO edge right after the turn, and when he straightens his leg it becomes more shallow.

 

[hhh]

Good ol’ Nathan training
https://instagram.com/p/BifcVuNl_Ng/

 

[hhh]

[emoji5] Thanks! Signature curls, signature smile, signature gold medal...had to make it my avi [emoji23]

Ashley can still be competitive honestly, she’s like Kostner in that I’d never count her out.

I still haven’t ever watched his 2017 Worlds, I don’t like seeing him not podium so I avoid that & the OG Short Programs like the plague (The free is historic so ofc I have to watch) [emoji38]

I love the pros of all genders to have a long career, and to have ladies like Kostner at early 30s (though rumored to retire) and Ashley pushing through is good news, she’s proven by surviving the “late teen to early 20” physically that’s worth applauding. Me too, avoid the OG sp like a plague haha

I should drive by the new rink to check if the buildings are up... and carve a heart shape message for Nathan

 

[oatmella]

Nathan’s balance

From Alysa Liu’s IG story - someone wrote her, ‘You will be able to beat Nathan before you know it!’ She responded, ‘Lol thanks’

haha and I truly admire her fearlessness and ambition - she’s planning on competing as a senior at nationals next year with 3A - and she won junior nationals at 12 ... reminds me of a certain favorite skater

 

[yyyskate]

Helsinki is really beautiful - no surprise that Nathan would love it there.

I read this before on a travel blog: http://youngadventuress.com/2016/05/helsinki-travel-tips.html

3. Introverted and quiet
This is probably my favorite thing I loved about Finland – if I had to describe the main personality trait there, it would probably be introverted and fairly quiet. People talk here when they have something to say. There is not stupid chit chat, no pointless banter, no personal space issues. Just glorious silence and mild awkwardness. End of story.

Hell yes, I’ve finally found my people!

While you might not believe I’m naturally introverted, let me assure you, I am. I don’t like people and I love to be alone and quiet. I’d be a hermit if I could. I hate when someone sits next to me on a bus and I avoid eye contact when I can. Though I do like hugs. If you’re like that then start packing you bags and move to Finland.

Nathan surely likes his Scandinavian little things. #Soulmates.

Why I love Nathan so much, cos before I realized it I have used #Soulmates too many times
ETA: occasional #notSoulmates

 

[hhh]

Love his style - SUPREME (before it became the world reknown, everyone wears it to look cool period)

Thanks Romain, check out his instastory.

 

[SkatingMusic]

Not directly related to men, but there is dramatic coach change on the ladies front.

 

[skfan]

http://figureskatersonline.com/news/2018/05/07/review-stars-on-ice-celebrates-olympic-season/

reviews of Pittsburgh and Chicago shows.

from review of Pittsburgh show:

Another delightful group number was “The Shape of You” which featured Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue, Meryl Davis and Charlie White, and Ashley Wagner and Nathan Chen. While I enjoyed the performances of the two ice dance teams, the highlight of this group number for me was seeing Ashley and Nathan skating together. They both looked like they were truly enjoying themselves out there (and I was wishfully thinking it could be the start of a new partnership!).

 

[Hollymolly]

Always thanks to Romain
https://twitter.com/aboutnathan0505/status/993636534975848448?s=21

 

[oatmella]

thanks skfan and Hollymolly for sharing! It seems that some like the Ashley/Nathan partnership

Nathan and Romain reunited... from the yelp reviews (2.5 stars) - looks like the Supreme store can have a long line just to get in:
https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/sup...CGntxt8sy4Oaw&reviewid=7H8bDHWlKGabcWFDWzXT7A


Does Nathan really shop there? The prices seem a bit high for his true frugal self - but perhaps ok for a splurge . from a recent yelp review:

I ended up purchasing a hat for $56. I felt like it was a bit pricey; however, it's much better than paying a resell price of $80-$120.


and sounds like it can be a somewhat unpleasant shopping experience:

The lines can get hectic so they have bouncers to keep things under control. It is a lot like a TSA line except you are in a relatively​ nasty area in Los Angeles which adds to the experience.

 

[Mamamiia]

I like the 3A from a RFI counter entry (he could also add a BI rocker before that), but I'm not sure this would ever be a comfortable entry for him, assuming his 3A is finally somewhat stable... he used to do the 2A from double 3turns on his right leg, with an edge change to a BO edge... so quite a similar position to jump from as the RFI counter entry... but he's never done his 3A this way, so that's telling... but then again, he never got to a point where it was a reliable jump for him, so...



Oh, don't you rather mean "RBI quickly changed to a RBO"? Because that's what I think happened.

Rostelecom: definitely a counter; US Int Classic: bracket with an unclean edge change...

And I actually don't think clarity of turns is something Nathan needs to work on, or at least not more or less than any other skater... I see skaters with supposedly oh-so-great skating skills like Yuzu e.g. do the occasional unclear or somewhat shallow turn/edge all the time, so... (or at least to me they don't look so great all the time, not an expert here, of course)

I think what happened here is, Nathan has risen from his knee to do the turn, and then he didn't go down on a bend skating leg immediately after the turn, but he stayed elevated on a straight leg instead (for stylistic reasons, to give the turn a short moment of emphasis)... and staying upright like that probably "pulled" him on an inside edge for a moment, because afaik it's harder in that position to get on that outside edge and stabilise it...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpncX3aMxsI&t=56

He used to do a similar FI bracket (where he's holding the BO edge for emphasis) for years, in his Stole the Show exhibition program for instance, but there he first bends down after the turn, and then he rises up again:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IWrJOhUVl0&t=63
you can see clearly how this way, he ends up with a nice, rather deep BO edge right after the turn, and when he straightens his leg it becomes more shallow.

I don't understand what you all are talking about but once been sent to YouTube it's hard to get out...:

 

[skfan]

thanks skfan and Hollymolly for sharing! It seems that some like the Ashley/Nathan partnership

Nathan and Romain reunited... from the yelp reviews (2.5 stars) - looks like the Supreme store can have a long line just to get in:
https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/sup...CGntxt8sy4Oaw&reviewid=7H8bDHWlKGabcWFDWzXT7A


Does Nathan really shop there? The prices seem a bit high for his true frugal self - but perhaps ok for a splurge . from a recent yelp review:

I ended up purchasing a hat for $56. I felt like it was a bit pricey; however, it's much better than paying a resell price of $80-$120.


and sounds like it can be a somewhat unpleasant shopping experience:

The lines can get hectic so they have bouncers to keep things under control. It is a lot like a TSA line except you are in a relatively​ nasty area in Los Angeles which adds to the experience.

Nathan and Ashley and Shape of You: this was the first time I saw someone wishing they would skate together *again* on another occasion, at least the way it reads to me.
as you can see the Chicago reviewer deftly avoided commenting on it, so opinions differ.

I did remember thinking when Ashley posted her Cougar status IG that I couldn't imagine Nathan posting something similar on his


Good to see him and Romain re-united. Frugal Nathan could just be window shopping at Supreme. One can look at the menu without ordering