2020-21 U.S. Men's Figure Skating

[BlissfulSynergy]

There's news that Nathan Chen has come very close to landing a fully rotated 4-axel in training practice. No video has been posted yet though.

With the international competition schedule so uncertain, a lot of skaters are working more on training and perfecting difficult elements.

 

[Dogo]

Nathan's 4A video clip is on another site/figure skating with "potato" quality though. Watch it before it's taken down!

 

[TontoK]

Nathan's 4A video clip is on another site/figure skating with "potato" quality though. Watch it before it's taken down!

I saw it, and you really can't tell anything about it. It's noteworthy because I believe in previous interviews that he'd stated that it wasn't something he was contemplating. But not much else.

All you can tell is that it was a fall. No idea how close to rotation it was, or whether this is something he's working on consistently.

 

[Skater Boy]

Love the swagger.

Bravado only a teenager can rightfully possess.

Well he still has a long way to catch up to his mother.

 

[mrrice]

I saw it, and you really can't tell anything about it. It's noteworthy because I believe in previous interviews that he'd stated that it wasn't something he was contemplating. But not much else.

All you can tell is that it was a fall. No idea how close to rotation it was, or whether this is something he's working on consistently.

Does Nathan need a Quad Axel? His content is so high already that I wonder about him getting injured before the Olympics.

 

[TontoK]

Does Nathan need a Quad Axel? His content is high already that I wonder about him getting injured before the Olympics.

Personally, I don't think he does.

As you imply, the risk of injury exceeds the reward.

If I'm coaching Nathan, the plan is this... Work on the 4Loop. Plan an Olympic LP with 6 quads and a 3A. If anyone can beat that, they deserve the title.

 

[Greengemmonster]

Does Nathan need a Quad Axel? His content is so high already that I wonder about him getting injured before the Olympics.

Agree with this x10000000000

 

[TontoK]

Well he still has a long way to catch up to his mother.

LOL I just looked up young quadg0d's Instagram.

Two recent practice clips include a 4T-3T-3T combo and a 3Z-3T-3Lp combo.

For certain, he has a long way to develop his skating, but there is something really endearing, in a Mark Twain kind of way, about him posting this type of content. You can imagine Tom Sawyer showing off for Becky Thatcher.

 

[Tahuu]

US men are ambitious. Good to know Illia names himself quadg0d and Vincent aims for Olympic gold. New article on Vincent:

"I want to get to the point where I can challenge for gold because I'm going for that Olympic medal," Zhou said. "I know if I relegate myself to being second all the time, that isn't a great mindset if I want a top spot. So, I want to really push myself to start challenging the title more."

 

[lariko]

US men are ambitious. Good to know Illia names himself quadg0d and Vincent aims for Olympic gold. New article on Vincent:

"I want to get to the point where I can challenge for gold because I'm going for that Olympic medal," Zhou said. "I know if I relegate myself to being second all the time, that isn't a great mindset if I want a top spot. So, I want to really push myself to start challenging the title more."

I am always looking forward to whatever Zhou puts together next

 

[elbkup]

Nathan Chen is ambitious, no question, and successful... but a 4A? Really it’s not necessary..
“Why do you want to climb Everest?”
“Because it’s there!!”

 

[ice coverage]

... I couldn't find the "Off Topic" thing but, this is off topic. What is Richard Dornbush up to these days. I believe he went to Medical School, right. Is he in his residency or is he a doctor now?

For fans of GS favorites Max Aaron and Richard Dornbush:

The "viewing party" for Virtual Aerial Challenge (on ice and off ice) for Senior, Collegiate, and Backflip will be streamed on YouTube tonight (Nov 6) at 7:00 pm CT.
(And it will be archived.)
Max and Richard will be among the judges (along with Kimmie Meissner, Frank Carroll, and Scott Hamilton [ETA: and Gale Tanger]).

The link for the stream:

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

(Note: The viewing party for "Elite International Athletes" is scheduled for Nov 20. "Senior" is a different category.)

I had enjoyed watching Max's judging in a previous viewing party video, and I look forward to seeing him again. (Plus Dornbush.)
The judges give feedback comments (as well as scores) to each entrant.​

Off topic: Dornbush did not go to medical school. And AFAIK, he never had an interest in doing so.

---

LOL I just looked up young quadg0d's Instagram. ...

Quad lutz video today from the @quadg0d formerly known as @lutzboi:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CHQ5YfCHEvA/ (Nov 6)​

 

[TontoK]

---

Quad lutz video today from the @quadg0d formerly known as @lutzboi:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CHQ5YfCHEvA/ (Nov 6)​

Oh, my. That 4Z looks clean as a whistle.

Of course, it's a practice video... how many failed attempts were not shared... etc etc... all the caveats.

But no doubt he's done the jump very well. I hope he's working equally hard on his spins.

 

[Tahuu]

Nice 4Lz! Ilia could potentially get on the Olympic team with a 2 quad short and a 4 quad long program. USFS may want a promising youngster to get that first Olympic experience.

 

[sworddance21]

Does Nathan need a Quad Axel? His content is so high already that I wonder about him getting injured before the Olympics.

I think, as competitive as he is, he's not going to let Yuzu get one and not have one, too.

 

[mrrice]

I think, as competitive as he is, he's not going to let Yuzu get one and not have one, too.

True......Does Hanyu have a solid 4A? If so, then I can see why Nathan feels he needs one as well. These Worlds and Olympics are going to be very exciting.

 

[sworddance21]

True......Does Hanyu have a solid 4A? If so, then I can see why Nathan feels he needs one as well. These Worlds and Olympics are going to be very exciting.

Yes. Not sure how consistent it is, but it was his intention to include one at Worlds 2020.

Yuzuru Hanyu plans quadruple Axel for world championships, coach says

Yuzuru Hanyu may need a quadruple Axel to beat Nathan Chen at the world championships. He wants to become the first skater to land it.

olympics.nbcsports.com

 

[karne]

True......Does Hanyu have a solid 4A? If so, then I can see why Nathan feels he needs one as well. These Worlds and Olympics are going to be very exciting.

The correct answer to this is "we don't know" - there are no videos and no competition attempts to verify.

I'm taking very much a "I'll believe it when I see it" attitude to 4A claims - from both parties.

 

[TontoK]

Quad lutz video today from the @quadg0d formerly known as @lutzboi:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CHQ5YfCHEvA/ (Nov 6)​

Today's content is a 3Z-Eu-3F. It looks completely effortless. Smooth as silk with an excellent ride out. He captions it "my average day,"

One of the very few nice things about the COVID restrictions as they apply to the GP series is that it provides an opportunity for lesser ranked skaters. Perhaps Ilya's fine showing at Skate America has given him confidence... although he likely had that already. I don't think this kind of teen swagger is a new development.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CHZHQImnmkJ/

 

[el henry]

(cross-posting from the retirement thread)

Sean Rabbitt has announced his retirement from competitive figure skating:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CHjAKGRrKYc/

an engaging, energetic skater and performer who gave it his all every time he was on ice. I will miss him.

best of luck to Sean in the future