Nathan Chen

[sheetz]

Good ISU interview with Nathan
http://www.isu.org/en/single-and-pa...ws/2017/04/featured-interview-nathan-chen-usa

The WTT planned program layouts have been released and Nathan has removed all lutzes from his programs--both quads and triples. Not sure if it's a boot/injury issue, a strategic move, or if the layouts are simply inaccurate.

 

[zebobes]

The WTT planned program layouts have been released and Nathan has removed all lutzes from his programs--both quads and triples. Not sure if it's a boot/injury issue, a strategic move, or if the layouts are simply inaccurate.

Where are the planned program layouts? What jumps is he doing instead?

 

[sheetz]

Where are the planned program layouts? What jumps is he doing instead?

Not sure where they are on the website but Nathan's was uploaded on twitter.
https://twitter.com/toshikon/status/854624274182569984

I think most of the others have the same layout from worlds, except Shoma is planning 2 4F's instead of 2 4T's.

 

[zebobes]

Man, Nathan has yet to have one competition this season where he does the same layout twice in a row. He likes his variety, doesn't he?

 

[skatenewbie]

why didnt he attempt for 4Lz? is it because the boot problem?

 

[gsyzf]

Man, Nathan has yet to have one competition this season where he does the same layout twice in a row. He likes his variety, doesn't he?

His NHK and GPF layouts are the same in both SP and FP. His SP layout this season has been relatively stable. Yes, he does change his layouts quite often. Hopefully he can find a stable layout next season rather than changing his layouts in almost every competition.

 

[sherlock trollmes]

That ISU interview is really good. I like hearing his thoughts behind things. I'm glad he realized that he didn't truly do that badly at Worlds - all things considered. Interesting about the lutzes - hopefully it's not an injury, maybe it's just that there's not a day of rest in between the programs and they don't want to exert too much energy (especially considering he just got there and I'm sure jet lag is a potential issue) but not doing even a triple lutz in the FS is a little odd. And it's not like he has an easy layout ether way. I notice he's doing two 3a's though. It does take quite a bit off of his base value, not doing the 4lz - but hopefully he can have two strong skates to end his season on.

One thing I do hope they change for next season is planning the layout the day before or the morning before that segment of the event. He seems like he adapts very well and can even change things on the fly with little issue if need be. They seem to look at it as a strength because he can do so many different types of quads but to help with his confidence, I think they should stick with the layout that works. I think the one at Nationals was the best for him - but they probably want to try all the possible combinations.

 

[lakeforest]

Removing all the Lutzs might be another Nathan's test drive. He might be really working on the PCS side this time to see how much he can improve.

 

[sheetz]

Removing all the Lutzs might be another Nathan's test drive. He might be really working on the PCS side this time to see how much he can improve.

I can see that with the 4Lz but not the 3Lz, which is a jump he can normally land in his sleep. I'm thinking his final layout is going to depend on how he feels on the day.

 

[gsyzf]

Removing all the Lutzs might be another Nathan's test drive. He might be really working on the PCS side this time to see how much he can improve.

If it's for the sake of PCS, he could've just gone back to the GPF layouts, with 4lz, 4f, two 4t and no 4S. The layout on paper removes 4lz in both sp and lp and 3lz in the LP, and keeps 4S in the LP. 4lz is his better quad while 4S is his weaker quad. The layouts in the sp and lp are almost completely different from anything he did this season. I think he probably changed the layout due to boot issue.

 

[Plisskin]

Removing all lutzes isn't a good sign. I so wanted to see a redemption skate for him here, but it's looking like his boot issues haven't been completely solved yet.

 

[sherlock trollmes]

Nathan skated awesome today! I'm still curious about the lutzes and hopefully we'll hear the reason why soon, but both quads today were beauties. The 3a made me a little nervous, but when does it not!

 

[sheetz]

Nathan skated awesome today! I'm still curious about the lutzes and hopefully we'll hear the reason why soon, but both quads today were beauties. The 3a made me a little nervous, but when does it not!

Apparently on Japanese TV they are saying he has an ankle injury and therefore watered down his programs.

 

[Tahuu]

Nathan skated awesome today! I'm still curious about the lutzes and hopefully we'll hear the reason why soon, but both quads today were beauties. The 3a made me a little nervous, but when does it not!

I suspect his ankle might have got injured from that opening 4Lz at worlds due to the crushed boot. He probably is healing his ankle now and not doing the 4Lz and 3Lz.

 

[sherlock trollmes]

Ah, okay! Good to have a reason. Hopefully it's nothing too serious and it'll heal up quickly. Didn't seem to affect his other jumps

 

[Tahuu]

He needs to turn his ankle doing back outside edge in Lz. His ankle might have hyperextended when the boot gave up at worlds doing that damn 4Lz.

 

[gsyzf]

Apparently on Japanese TV they are saying he has an ankle injury and therefore watered down his programs.

Not sure which one is better, ankle injury or boot problem? I guess ankle injury is better because it can be healed sooner.

His jumps are getting better, with better flow.

 

[Kelly]

Congratulations, Nathan, for a great SP! The performance was flowing elegantly, and the jumps looked so effortlessly (ok, the axle was a little bit labored). The scores should be over 100.

 

[sheetz]

Not sure which one is better, ankle injury or boot problem? I guess ankle injury is better because it can be healed sooner.

His jumps are getting better, with better flow.

From what people are saying it was the boots at worlds that caused his ankle issues and he's leaving out the lutz now as a precaution. He says they'll be back next season.

I think Nathan's jumps don't get as much height when he's nervous. Maybe it's because he doesn't skate with as much speed when he's tense. When I watched his Worlds SP I thought he wasn't getting enough height on his quads and knew he would probably have trouble with the 3axel.

 

[sheetz]

Here's the article that mentions it:

http://www.goldenskate.com/2017/04/2017-world-team-trophy-day-1/

“I was really hesitant going into the Axel just because of what happened at Worlds (he fell), but the boots are better [now]. These are brand new boots. They’re about a week old. I’m happy with the program that I just did,” the Four Continents Champion said. “After Worlds, since my boots were so broken, it was causing me some ankle problems and I just didn’t want to risk it. It was just a safety precaution. Especially at a competition like this, there’s no need to risk injuring myself so I took [the Lutz] out. It will be back next season.”