I think he's training to build up to 4F3T 4Lo 4Lz 4Sal 4TEu3Sal 4T3T 3A though...
Oops: I meant 4F3T 4Lo 4Lz 4Sal 4TEu3F 4T3T 3A
Last edited:
Nathan Chen
- Thread starter matmuh
- Start date
Oops: I meant 4F3T 4Lo 4Lz 4Sal 4TEu3F 4T3T 3A
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2013
I think you're right. The upgrade to 4Z is an obvious opportunity, and that 3L as the second jumping pass is too random not to be a holding spot for something bigger.
NBC Interview
I missed some of the IG live interview he gave with Nick McCarvel but one cute thing I learned was that he's been playing tennis with Raf! LOL
I missed some of the IG live interview he gave with Nick McCarvel but one cute thing I learned was that he's been playing tennis with Raf! LOL
I was waiting for someone to pose the IG live interview because I was also a few minutes late. Haha would love to eavesdrop on those tennis sessions with Raf.
And here's @about Nathan0505 to the rescue again!
FS from the ISU channel (again, make sure to choose 1080p):
Currently he doesn't even have the stamina yet to pull off a clean 4 quad program, where both 4T combos are in the second half. If you watch both ISP opportunities and yesterday's SA performance, his first 4T combo is always a beauty, but the 2nd one right after is always squeezed out with a borderline if not UR landing. To me it looks like he's currently lacking the strength for a second quad combo this late in the program, and especially with one right after the other. I mean that's fine, it's early in the season and who knows how many competitions will even take place, but that's just my observation.
But anyways, I don't watch Nathan for the jumps (although I do find his take-offs and quality of rotation with the tightly crossed legs aesthetically pleasing).
I really enjoyed the way he performed his FS yesterday, he seemed really into it, as he said himself, he's comfortable with that kind of style. I still think the choreo sequence either needs to be longer or should have some kind of a stand-out, more creative move. Can't say that he didn't sell it, but it was just such a short pleasure and I wanna see more of it.
Also really love the blue colour on him (honestly, with that complexion any colour will look great on him) and thank god he finally put on a flowy (!!) fabric that compliments his movements, especially in this more lyrical piece.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2003
Might just be me but thought he wasn’t that into the performance yesterday? He missed several of the nuances in the stsq and as well as other places. The stsq also didn’t have the usual relaxed but sure quality it did the other times we’ve seen him skate it.
I agree, he was a bit late for the finishing pose. He seemed a bit more tense reminiscent of the Olympic season. He must have been pushing really hard; when he was at school it seemed he was more relaxed and worked harder at selling the performance the times when he was relatively under trained.
I'd argue that was because of the mistake on the final spin, which he must've noticed while he was spinning, so that messed up his timing when to exit the spin.
Generally I think he was quite ratteld be the two jump mistakes, hence the mistake on the spin.
He also looked tired to me. The short turnaround probably didn't help. Definitely looked more tense and cautious than usual.
The training process Nathan describes in the article to get back into shape may explain (in part) why he may have been slightly off at SA. Also, the safety measures may have had an impact as well (not only for him, but all skaters); it may not seem like that big a deal, but I would think it has to have some effect mentally. I hope he skates after 2022 - no matter what his results are in the Olympics. I believe he still has a lot to give to the sport. However, at the end of the day, he should, of course, do whatever makes him happy.
- Joined
- May 9, 2019
Glad to hear that he took a gradual approach returning to the ice (he also cautioned others against rushing back to full-load on-ice training on multiple occasions during the off-season). I'm seeing injuries rising among skaters and I suspect it's due to insufficient physical conditioning when they came back to the ice, so it's relieving to know Nathan has been smart about this.
Regarding his SA performance, I suspect that he put out his energy too early for the competition. If you think about his better outings, eg. GPF and Worlds last year, his first runthru tended to be a bit shaky and then he built on that toward a clean program. So maybe after he put out two clean runthrus and a clean short at SA he could no longer maintain his competitive focus, and that's perhaps why he looked a bit distracted yesterday. Hope he won't let his mistakes get into his head and focus on planning for the next event, whenever that might be.
Regarding his SA performance, I suspect that he put out his energy too early for the competition. If you think about his better outings, eg. GPF and Worlds last year, his first runthru tended to be a bit shaky and then he built on that toward a clean program. So maybe after he put out two clean runthrus and a clean short at SA he could no longer maintain his competitive focus, and that's perhaps why he looked a bit distracted yesterday. Hope he won't let his mistakes get into his head and focus on planning for the next event, whenever that might be.
I've always suspected that one possible reason for not including a 4Lz (he's omitted that jump on and off throughout the last two years) might be, that they're trying to avoid overstraining his left foot/ankle as well as his right picking foot (which already gets stressed by doing the Flip) and prevent overuse injury. Just a guess.
I actually think he might've also overexerted himself in the practice session before the FS. Remember how Raf pointed out at 2019 Worlds, that he made sure Nathan doesn't tire himself out during those last practice sessions leading up to the competition? How they tried to be smart about it, and not 'show off' during practice? Not saying that they were showing off at SA, just that they might not have been as careful this time. Add to that the fact, that apparently he was having trouble with both 4S and 3A that day and possibly spent a little too much time and repetitions on them during practice and warm-up?
Speaking of practice, did you see that fall on the forwards landed 4T, that they showed before the Ladies' FS? I loved the way Keegan skated by with a sympathetic expression on his face, almost seemed like he wanted to check on Nathan, and when he saw that he was fine he was laughing, because it was such a rough tumble.
- Joined
- May 9, 2019
I hope that's the case and nothing more serious. I miss his quad lutz tho. It's such a beauty when done well.
It's not shown on Peacock, but I did catch him taking off from where he planned his euler combo and flying out of frame in the practice cam. Then he reappeared with snow all over his back. I was surprised that he fell on (what I assumed was) a quad toe out of everything. Pops to Keegan for being the kind-hearted person he always is.
He didn’t look happy at K&C, but I doubt it would get into his head.
Nathan seldom had two clean programs this early in the season, especially considering how aggressive the second half of his FS layout is. He said that he had to rely on muscle memory for his 4s at GPF last year when he felt so exhausted. I agree with 1111bm in that placing 3A at the end of program is too much for him at this point. Even Yuzuru singled out his 3A sequence at GPF.
He popped 4T at SkAm last year, did a 4T+1Eu+2F instead of 3F. He had clean runthru at GPF 2018, yet during the competition, he had a hard fall on 4lz, a step out or turn on the 4T.
You can argue that he didn’t have sufficient time with Raf last year or the year before, but this year it is even more challenging to me given that they all have to stay in the bubble, probably no other ice time except the OP, which would have sort of impact on their preparation for the competition. And let’s not forget that there is no audience to cheer for them to give them some boost in terms of energy.
It is just that the first ISP and the clean runthru gave us some false impression that he would deliver two clean programs every time. Not having a very good OP probably did appear to have impact on his mental state going into the competition several hours later.
The 4T+1Eu+3F was stunning, most of the quads he landed plus the 3A in SP were really good. He should be proud of himself.
Nathan seldom had two clean programs this early in the season, especially considering how aggressive the second half of his FS layout is. He said that he had to rely on muscle memory for his 4s at GPF last year when he felt so exhausted. I agree with 1111bm in that placing 3A at the end of program is too much for him at this point. Even Yuzuru singled out his 3A sequence at GPF.
He popped 4T at SkAm last year, did a 4T+1Eu+2F instead of 3F. He had clean runthru at GPF 2018, yet during the competition, he had a hard fall on 4lz, a step out or turn on the 4T.
You can argue that he didn’t have sufficient time with Raf last year or the year before, but this year it is even more challenging to me given that they all have to stay in the bubble, probably no other ice time except the OP, which would have sort of impact on their preparation for the competition. And let’s not forget that there is no audience to cheer for them to give them some boost in terms of energy.
It is just that the first ISP and the clean runthru gave us some false impression that he would deliver two clean programs every time. Not having a very good OP probably did appear to have impact on his mental state going into the competition several hours later.
The 4T+1Eu+3F was stunning, most of the quads he landed plus the 3A in SP were really good. He should be proud of himself.
Last edited by a moderator:
- Joined
- May 9, 2019
To be honest multi-quadsters seldom have two clean programs ever
I'm impressed by his consistency with the 4T-1Eu-3F combo this season. It seems that he has really figured this one out after a year of 4T-1Eu-1F, 2F, and 3S
In his first runthru at SA he had a little lag time going into the euler but still pulled the 3F off. In last season this would have turned to a popped flip or a sal.I know, right.
Yes, Keegan is such a nice guy.
Here's the fall and Keegan's reaction to it:
Wow, what a fall. I love that smile on his faceI know, right.
Yes, Keegan is such a nice guy.
Here's the fall and Keegan's reaction to it:
Thank you 1111bm. Thank you for always being such a nice caring person, Keegan
And we had a stunning combo in the free. Thank you, Nathan!
Similar threads
