Nathan Chen

[Gilligan]

Don't think Nathan will do the Peggy Fleming Trophy (no quads allowed! bahh) or Colorado Cup either, but he will probably want to get more exposure for his programs (preferably at live competitions) before the Grand Prix season starts, especially considering it might get truncated just like last year. Other than US Classic I can only think of Glacier Falls, which is close (think it's in either Anaheim or Irvine) but more low-tiered. US Classic is open to international skaters and someone with a training base in the US might be tempted to go. The domestic men's field is decent in itself.


Haha sorry I was referring to those instagram lives (some were on other platforms like the Scott Hamilton interview, and the Oregon zoom SC classes were live too ). I prefer to see him skating but those sidekicks were fun too.

I suspect USFS officials are usually quite lenient with Nathan at Champs Camp and don't temper with his programs and overall packaging too much. How else did he get away with the bus seat shirt

Does Colorado Cup also ban quads? If quads are allowed then why not? Plenty of Colorado skaters land quads.

It's a competition opp, just like Glacier Falls. Just do it, Nathan, for Nike.

Ah, thanks for explaining about those other streams. We're due for another JLB live, right?

As for the packaging at Champs Camp, isn't he dressed by Nike until he's outfitted by Vera? With Shae or Mom stepping in on occasion? I still prefer the bus seat shirt to the omelet.

 

[sheetz]

Well looks like Sun Valley is planning to have ice shows this summer!

Sun Valley on Ice

Explore a world of delights at Sun Valley Resort, from world-class skiing to stunning hikes, find your perfect activity here.

www.sunvalley.com

ETA: And Glacier Falls is scheduled for July 29

https://glacierfalls.com/

 

[LutzDance]

Still crossing fingers for Sun Valley. Although of course Sun Valley could happen with Nathan skating Rocketman for one number and Caravan for the other (since he seems done with Desperado, lol), and fans none the wiser re: his programs next season.

He usually brings new programs to Sun Valley. He might tell people to not post videos on the internet though So secretive is he.

And he participated in last year's Skate America, a domestic event with only Keegan representing Canada, IIRC? T

Also Bychenko and Samohin representing Israel.

We're due for another JLB live, right?

Or appearance on the Lilah Jo show. Or some other random podcast with Yale friends. Honestly his friends got way more out of him than a whole army of US journalists.

(And more OSC zoom classes! Time to check if his coaching skills have improved lol)

I still prefer the bus seat shirt to the omelet.

I'm ok with both of them. They are so hilariously ugly and unnecessarily colorful that they become a meme of themselves (same with the Caravan penguin suit, though it's more bizarre than ugly). Much better than that abomination he wore for La Boheme since GPF.

USFS is quite lenient on most things with many skaters, not just Nathan. I remembered Raf complained about no negative feedback on Ashley‘s programs in 2017. I don’t even think that bus seat shirt was ready at Champ Camp. I seriously don’t understand why he always procrastinates when it comes to costumes .

Well, if Nathan is allowed to show up to Champs Camp without a real costume (which is actually a point of assessment there) and then to introduce his chaotic looks at an international competition, then that also speaks to the amount of latitude he gets from USFS, right?

I wish he could go to Asian Open too. In addition to it being the Olympic test event, Beijing is a beautiful place to be in October. It's a shame that he's never competed in China and hasn't visited there for like six or seven years. There're many Chinese fans waiting for an opportunity to see him compete.

 

[Mamamiia]

Champs camp was hosted by Great Park Ice in Irvine last time so they may go to GPI again? Then he can conveniently pick up another shirt from Shae’s wardrobe. I wonder what are they going to do with that black one. Does Shae still want it back?

 

[sheetz]

Sun Valley has 7 shows planned beginning July 3.

0 - Alpine Lodging Sun Valley

Learn about, with the Alpine Lodging Sun Valley events calendar and start planning your vacation!

www.booksunvalley.com

I think there's a good chance other events will be held in the US this summer as there's more than ample time for those who are eligible to get vaccinated by then.

---

An amazing biographical essay written by Russian fan. Includes many facts I didn't know.

Нейтан Чен: Born an Ice Boy

В день рождения невероятного спортсмена и просто хорошего парня Нейтана Чена мы подготовили серию биографических очерков о нём. Изначально планировался один пост, но оказалось, что рассказ о Нейтане длиннее самой развёрнутой статьи в Википедии. Во-первых, о нём действительно есть, что...

www.sports.ru

 

[Gilligan]

[...] I was thinking about exposure to international judging panel vs domestic judging panel at Boston US Classic. I just did a little bit more reading about the event, it looks like it is still considered an international event, so there could be international judges?

Depending on travel restrictions, he could go to Autumn Classic, which is about similar flight time as to Boston. I would also like him to go to Asian Open in Beijing, but the timing is not good considering he would be at SkAm a few days later. I wish it could be in August like in 2018 so he could get feedback earlier.

US Classic is not a Challenger event, but it's still a regular senior B. There would be an international judging panel at senior B's in normal times. ISU recently experimented with virtual (not in person) judging, so that's another possibility for an international panel.

I wish he could attend the Olympics test event, too. Really unfortunate how close it is to Skate America.

Champs camp was hosted by Great Park Ice in Irvine last time so they may go to GPI again? Then he can conveniently pick up another shirt from Shae’s wardrobe. I wonder what are they going to do with that black one. Does Shae still want it back?

She must want it back! Otherwise in addition to the 'modesty panel' (no belly spins!), they might have shortened the sleeves some?

 

[Gilligan]

[...] Also Bychenko and Samohin representing Israel.


[...]

I'm ok with both of them. They are so hilariously ugly and unnecessarily colorful that they become a meme of themselves (same with the Caravan penguin suit, though it's more bizarre than ugly). Much better than that abomination he wore for La Boheme since GPF.


Well, if Nathan is allowed to show up to Champs Camp without a real costume (which is actually a point of assessment there) and then to introduce his chaotic looks at an international competition, then that also speaks to the amount of latitude he gets from USFS, right?

I wish he could go to Asian Open too. In addition to it being the Olympic test event, Beijing is a beautiful place to be in October. It's a shame that he's never competed in China and hasn't visited there for like six or seven years. There're many Chinese fans waiting for an opportunity to see him compete.

Sorry I forgot. Apologies, esp. to Uncle Bychenko.

I like the bus shirt --it fits him, it doesn't swallow his neck, and it's even based on a real Elton John outfit. I like the penguin suit for Caravan too.

No words for how much I hate the 'collegiate collar' atrocity for La Boheme.

Chaotic looks... so charmingly phrased.

I don't think it's latitude he gets. It's just that ever since Vera Wang dragged out the suspense over his 2018 Olympics costumes, skating fans and USFS alike have been conditioned to expect some placeholders until Vera deigns to make a big splash (or flop) at Nationals. This being an Olympic year (fingers crossed it'll actually happen), I'd be surprised if we have any clue what the masterminds put together any earlier than Nationals, or GPF.


ETA: The Russian biographical piece is amazing. Thank you sheetz for pointing it out.

 

[Apple1078]

I wonder what Raf/Nathan's strategy is (I think that's one of their strengths, they are great at planning). It's important he peaks at the right time this season. Everyone has to get ready a bit earlier but they also don't want to burn out.

Nathan has the benefit of not having to compete in any of the Summer competitions for monitoring reasons. I think there's a chance all the other U.S. men and ladies will have to enter a designated Summer competition so USFS can decide who to send to Nebelhorn (they can't send Nathan/Jason/Karen/Bradie).

I hope he chooses Skate America and Cup of China this year so he can go to China before Beijing (I also think France is a bit close to the Grand Prix Final, especially considering the travel).

 

[LutzDance]

An amazing biographical essay written by Russian fan. Includes many facts I didn't know.

Aww this quote from Hetty when Nathan had won all four of the competitions he had ever been in and got a " most distinguished skater" title at the age of 4:

"He's not as good as the older skaters...The judges are just so nice to give him the award."

An example of parenting that has kept him from getting full of himself since a young age.

I don't think it's latitude he gets. It's just that ever since Vera Wang dragged out the suspense over his 2018 Olympics costumes, skating fans and USFS alike have been conditioned to expect some placeholders until Vera deigns to make a big splash (or flop) at Nationals. This being an Olympic year (fingers crossed it'll actually happen), I'd be surprised if we have any clue what the masterminds put together any earlier than Nationals, or GPF.

Haha I'm just wishing for some sort of higher power that could rein in his costume choices. I only ask for two simple, flowy, single-colored shirts.

I hope he chooses Skate America and Cup of China this year so he can go to China before Beijing (I also think France is a bit close to the Grand Prix Final, especially considering the travel).

I also hope he can do CoC even though Chongqing and Beijing are two very different places. But I suspect he'll do SkAm and France again. Three weeks are plenty of time to recover for him, even considering the travel.

 

[Gilligan]

Haha I'm just wishing for some sort of higher power that could rein in his costume choices. I only ask for two simple, flowy, single-colored shirts.

If only!

 

[luckyu2]

I also hope he can do CoC even though Chongqing and Beijing are two very different places. But I suspect he'll do SkAm and France again. Three weeks are plenty of time to recover for him, even considering the travel.

Why don't they host CoC as an Olympics test event in Beijing? Asia Open is too close to SA so I doubt if he would go. I also hope he can do RoC again as he has so many amazing Russian fans but it probably will not happen as it is too close to the GPF held in Japan.

 

[sheetz]

..

Congratulations on having post #20,000!

Based on the GP schedule I think Nathan will probably choose SA and IdF again.

 

[Gilligan]

Why don't they host CoC as an Olympics test event in Beijing? Asia Open is too close to SA so I doubt if he would go. I also hope he can do RoC again as he has so many amazing Russian fans but it probably will not happen as it is too close to the GPF held in Japan.

I don't know but maybe because the GP fields are small, and an Olympics will have at least twice as many athletes in each discipline. Sigh. I wish he could experience the arena and the atmosphere at a Beijing test event, but what can you do?

On the other hand, unless I'm mistaken again, originally the test event was supposed to be a GPFinal last season, with a max of 6 in each senior discipline and 6 (single or pair/dance team) in each junior discipline, so yes, why not let CoC take place in Beijing, if the number of athletes at a Grand Prix Final is sufficient for 'testing'?

Is it silly of me to wonder if France GP vs other GP depends at all on the international travel situation and specifically R. Ponsart's visa status?

 

[lurkz2]

Congratulations on having post #20,000!

Based on the GP schedule I think Nathan will probably choose SA and IdF again.

He will probably have to do SkAm as the reigning US Champ but he might also try a new GP now that he doesn't have school to worry about so he just might go for COC.

 

[alexaa]

Nathan is doing some music related project with NBCSports at Irvine School of Music today

Olympic medalist, figure skater, and piano lover @nathanwchen visits Irvine School of Music on this #funfriday for a taping of #nbcsports! He is seen here with school director Cameron Tong, with whom Nathan shared he is on one year’s leave from Yale University as a statistics and data major! How do you manage all your accomplishments Nathan?! We are in awe! ISM is rooting for you in your upcoming competitive events, and hope you find inspiration and relaxation through the piano!

IG link

https://www.instagram.com/p/COlcuXkAHt8/?igshid=1nep9zflgszaq

Also on Twitter

https://twitter.com/IrvineSch_Music/status/1390768735426736128?s=20

Some fun memory of the then four-year-old Nathan doing scratch spin

Nathan’s coach stopped him and said, “Imagine you’re hugging a giant marshmallow as you spin, and squeeze it to your chest.”
Let me tell you, the kid’s quick. Because just that much of a visual made all the difference.

https://twitter.com/nathanchen_us/status/1390765711748829184?s=20

 

[1111bm]

What if he didn't go to SA, so he could attend Asian Open? Assuming he would want that to be able to experience Beijing conditions before the Games, would he be able to forgo SA?

Also, I'm shocked his penguin costume isn't considered to be a good one around here?? I think it's a fantastic design and fit.
The same goes for the Nemesis Vanilla costume (although I admit the vanilla sleeve didn't work so well against the bright ice).

I also liked his (second) Mao's last dancer costume, I just don't think the design was as smart and stylish as those other two from Vera. And since it lacked the flowiness of his first (temporary) MLD dark blue shirt earlier that season, it really didn't seem that great of a fit for the music and choreo.

What doesn't work on him is the cut of his later costumes (starting with the LoA smoke top and ending with the yellow Rocketman top). They're too tight in the armpits and don't follow his shoulder line as nicely.
Another thing that doesn't work at all on him, are those stiff white shirts eating up his neck.

So anyways, ideally I would love to see some chic, reduced Vera designs, such as the ones I mentioned above, with the old, snug fit that she used on him in the beginning.
And if he's really that opposed to close-fitting tops, he should go for a really flowy fabric, with a cut that isn't too tight in the shoulder area/upper arms.

 

[LutzDance]

What if he didn't go to SA, so he could attend Asian Open? Assuming he would want that to be able to experience Beijing conditions before the Games, would he be able to forgo SA?

He himself mentioned that he's not too concerned about missing the Olympic test event, because you can have a great test skate and still mess up at the Olympics, citing his own experience at winning 4CC and then bombing the SP at the same rink. Also given how uncertain international traveling still is at the moment I doubt he will want to do four international events (assuming he makes it to the GPF) in two months.

Also, I'm shocked his penguin costume isn't considered to be a good one around here?? I think it's a fantastic design and fit.

Well, I enjoy looking at photos of him in that costume. I appreciate that Vera is letting us see his muscles lol. My problem is that the super neat and trim design of the costume doesn't capture the colorful and light-hearted nature of the music. And he does look too much like a penguin, it's a bit distracting.

Why don't they host CoC as an Olympics test event in Beijing?

On the other hand, unless I'm mistaken again, originally the test event was supposed to be a GPFinal last season, with a max of 6 in each senior discipline and 6 (single or pair/dance team) in each junior discipline, so yes, why not let CoC take place in Beijing, if the number of athletes at a Grand Prix Final is sufficient for 'testing'?

My speculation is that there might be a contract with the Chongqing arena, as they've been holding the event there three years in a row. I also want to point out that at any given GP event, only 2 out of the top 6 from the previous Worlds of any given discipline (and most likely no.1 and 4) are going to participate. It might not be a huge factor, but it's still a bit weird if two-third of the top of the field have to sit out the test event. Although the timing of Asian Open is not making the event any more accessible.

 

[figskatefan]

Sorry I forgot. Apologies, esp. to Uncle Bychenko.

I like the bus shirt --it fits him, it doesn't swallow his neck, and it's even based on a real Elton John outfit. I like the penguin suit for Caravan too.

No words for how much I hate the 'collegiate collar' atrocity for La Boheme.

Chaotic looks... so charmingly phrased.

I don't think it's latitude he gets. It's just that ever since Vera Wang dragged out the suspense over his 2018 Olympics costumes, skating fans and USFS alike have been conditioned to expect some placeholders until Vera deigns to make a big splash (or flop) at Nationals. This being an Olympic year (fingers crossed it'll actually happen), I'd be surprised if we have any clue what the masterminds put together any earlier than Nationals, or GPF.


ETA: The Russian biographical piece is amazing. Thank you sheetz for pointing it out.

 

[figskatefan]

Dont Forget that mom made the bus shirt. She knows how to make things fit (e.g. Janice’s wedding dress). I think Nathan said he and mom chose the fabric.

 

[Gilligan]

I think from now on he should wear only Shae blouses or Mom creations. Vera can still claim credit.