- Joined
- Nov 19, 2010
There are different kinds of jumpers depending on their body types. There are the power jumpers like Stojko and kVDP; there are the slim fast rotating type like Reynolds, Hanyu, and Plushenko who also has an unique ability to sense/know his body position in the air and somehow is able to adjust mid-air and land despite tilting or any poor air position. Patrick is not built either slim or stocky strong so technique is actually much more important with him. Being relaxed with entry of proper pacing - breathing and rhythm - determine his success. It is about precision. Lori Nichols knows his skills best and choreographed to his strength and style of skating. I always wished she would choreograph his Olympic programs. To me, losing her as his choreographer is a greater loss than Christi Krall who, though good for him at a time as the jump coach, was too rigid and micro-managing for a matured supremely talented skater.
Any way, Patrick still has all his jumps and other skills but it came down to the mental issue. Of all the skaters in all the disciplines, he was the only winning a silver medal would be a great disappointment and devastating. Silver would be very acceptable and celebrated by anybody else including Hanyu and Yuna. V/M were disappointed but not devastated. They might feel they let themselves down but no apology. When you want something (or someone) too badly, you either chase it/them away or you end up making a deal with the devil.
Any way, Patrick still has all his jumps and other skills but it came down to the mental issue. Of all the skaters in all the disciplines, he was the only winning a silver medal would be a great disappointment and devastating. Silver would be very acceptable and celebrated by anybody else including Hanyu and Yuna. V/M were disappointed but not devastated. They might feel they let themselves down but no apology. When you want something (or someone) too badly, you either chase it/them away or you end up making a deal with the devil.