To tell the truth, I am not very patriotic, always cheering for Patrick, a big rival for Japanese skaters.
We have a lot of great male skaters in Japan, but Patrick is simply the best of all for me.
I believe he is not just a gem in Canada, but in the figure skating world.
You are too humble and nice! I think it's Patrick's fortune to have fans like you. Patrick did mention in a interview how he was wowed by the depth of Japanese skaters when he last performed in Japan. Dai, Hanyu and Kozuka are all brilliant skaters too but it's just not Kozuka's days the last two days. He put on such a brave face despite his under performance. Patrick will have to work very hard to keep ahead as there are so many upcoming brilliant skaters particularly from Japan.

But like in every competition, sometimes you win, sometimes you don't.
Patrick's performance was tight today, he was simply too nervous knowing other skaters did so well. Thank goodness his three big jumps were so well excecuted that saved him in the end. I don't think he knew he had won after he finished as I didn't see any celebration gesture. He still needs to work hard if he wants to win the gold in Sochi - I am pretty sure he will. Next year he might need to add another quad. If not, at least another 3A which I think is a piece of cake now that his 3A is so consistent.
Yes, B787. He must work very hard to solidify his consistency (and not put us his fans on the edge all the time .. pity us

) and his other jumps. His brilliant skating skills saved the day. He seemed to be lacking stamina in Nice compared to Nationals. Duh ... must be all the pizza, sight-seeing and sleeping late. We must tell Mrs Chan to shoo him to bed early.

Very relieved for Patrick.
Watching competitions can be stressful though exciting too .. especially when I see the skaters fall and I go 'oh no, ouch,
**** and oh yeah' ..all the time. I wish I live in North America
B787 so that it's easier for me to watch these competitions live. But I just have to contend with watching on t.v. from Oz. (Psst.. maybe I should have moved to Canada decades ago .. I nearly did).
The next generation of brilliant male skaters to challenge the current crop like Patrick, Dai, Kozuka, Jeremy and even the semi-retired ones who may reappear for Sochi like Evans and Plushy, will fall on Hanyu and his likes in Japan, Nan Song and his other compatriot (sorry forgot his name and too lazy to check) and maybe a couple from USA. I won't write off Gashinki although he didn't do well this time. I feel so sorry for Fernandez. He has the potential to win.
Oh well.... a bit of quietness till the next Grand Prix season. It must be raining hell from Chan-haters on the other thread.

Since I joined these forums, I am shocked to find the things people can say over open internet. There are no rules to civil behavior .... the flip side of internet. I always caution my kids to be careful of what they write on FB and the likes especially if they wish to be President or Prime Minister some day (just kidding). You never know. A silly action today maybe tomorrow's regret. Having said that, I have enjoyed Patrick-ubering with
you all .. always do. Such a humorous, fun and hilarious lot. Sometimes I feel I am getting to know you all well too.