Nathan Chen

[sheetz]

Jackie Wong announced the layout change before he skated. He had a different combo planned off the first 3A. Overall it was good to run with a more difficult layout now because he can clean it up before worlds.

Yes, it was meant to be 3A-1Lo-3F, but the turnout meant he was only able to do 3A-2T-2T, where the second 2T was ruled invalid since he had already landed 4T-2T. This meant that Nathan only had 11 valid jumps yet still had the highest TES in the FP.

 

[zebobes]

In some ways, I think it's smart for him to do a 3A-1/2L-3F, because the way he turned out of the 3A combo looked like he was going to do a 1/2L, and wasn't quite used to doing it. I look forward to seeing that combo in competition some day!

 

[sherlock trollmes]

Nathan posted on IG that he got new boots (Mariah did too - Jackson was visiting Lakewood Ice today haha) I'm not surprised as Nathan cited the soft boots issues at 4cc (although it didn't seem to affect him that much...) I just got a little nervous when I saw that because I'm like...ahh, doesn't seem like the best time to be breaking in new boots! (I really know nothing about how to break in boots - I just always see boot problems cited and get nervous.. :noshake

I am looking forward to seeing if he can get the 3a/2l/3f - I'm so impressed with how he keeps pushing himself!

 

[Arriba627]

And here's happy (?) Raf at 4CC. He seems to have that water bottle thing going on again. He did the same thing at Nationals while Nathan was skating.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQvk41bjEGV/

 

[KatGrace1925]

And here's happy (?) Raf at 4CC. He seems to have that water bottle thing going on again. He did the same thing at Nationals while Nathan was skating.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQvk41bjEGV/

One of my favorite things about skating this year has been Raf during Nathan's best competitions just eating it up! He's got the champion he's always wanted.

 

[lakeforest]

One of my favorite things about skating this year has been Raf during Nathan's best competitions just eating it up! He's got the champion he's always wanted.

See how excited Raf was. I think he was happier than the champion himself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIfFYEYUiN0

 

[KatGrace1925]

See how excited Raf was. I think he was happier than the champion himself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIfFYEYUiN0

I love it! Raf is the most entertaining coach on the scene right now.

 

[sheetz]

Here's a fan cam of the Kiss and Cry when the FS score was announced. Most skaters would be crying or jumping for joy but Nathan actually looks kind of bored/disinterested at the end.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIXz3wYPBwI

 

[Arriba627]

^^^I used to think Nathan's look was an arrogant look; but as I'm seeing him more and more, I really don't think so. More and more, I think he has that "on an even keel" type personality, which I think is really important when you want to compete at the highest levels. Too many highs and lows aren't good. It's gonna really be fun as we watch him grow. Please stay healthy, Nathan!

 

[apgold]

^^^Note -- I think Nathan and Amber Glenn broke up and she is now dating another skater. Not 100% certain though.

Well, they are/were teenagers in a long distance relationship, so it's not too surprising. Too bad, b/c they were cute together. I remember seeing them sitting together in the stands at Worlds last year, when Nathan was recovering from his hip surgery.

 

[lakeforest]

^^^I used to think Nathan's look was an arrogant look; but as I'm seeing him more and more, I really don't think so. More and more, I think he has that "on an even keel" type personality, which I think is really important when you want to compete at the highest levels. Too many highs and lows aren't good. It's gonna really be fun as we watch him grow. Please stay healthy, Nathan!

I noticed that the first time I saw him on TV when he was a 10 years old. When his name was announced, he face was so expressionless, as if he were a super star already and used to stuff like this. Then when he performed, he was like a seasoned skater. Oh my, how impressed I was! I knew he was the champion material then.

when Jason Brown won his national title:

http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/2014+Prudential+Figure+Skating+Championships+iEZw4w2hP_fl.jpg

when Nathan Chen won his:

http://www.sltrib.com/csp/mediapool/sites/sltrib/Pages/gallery.csp?cid=4850654&pid=4028699

 

[shine]

I must admit that I haven't really kept up with men's skating for a few years with the retirements of some of my favourite skaters, and I only started digging out past seasons' videos of Nathan following his US Nationals win in January. I came across his 2014-2015 LP recently and found it stunningly beautiful. But at the same time it's such a shame that this program was probably never skated to its full potential as he was particularly plagued with injuries that season and only competed very limitedly. While I don't think he's a naturally extroverted skater like Jason Brown, I find him to be one of those special skaters that can bring forth a poetic and introspective dimension to his skating in a very subtle but musical way similar to the likes of Abbott and Savoie. This program by a 15-year old is just mind blowing. Like Kurt Browning said, little gems all over the place. Compared to this, I do think his FS this year is a disappointment artistically considering what he is actually capable of (but understandably so), but those calling him the skater un-artistic is simply doing their wishful thinking IMO. Can't wait to see how he develops.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbKb3RVPVSw

 

[sherlock trollmes]

That is really a lovely program. That capability is definitely still in him, I'm expecting him to be able to really merge the two with his Olympic year programs.

 

[skatinggold]

Seems like Nathan and Amber Glenn broke up? Who do you think Nathan should date?

 

[narcissa]

karen

 

[sheetz]

Nam
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQmhmNVhUeN/?taken-by=namnamnoodle&hl=en

 

[Kelly]

I see Nathan has got the torch from Patrick as the favorite of bashing target, but thank God I am old enough and in the forum long enough to let go of any irritation quickly when I see negatives against Nathan.
I hope Nathan stays healthy and keeps improving to show the world he is a top skater of the total package although he is only 17.

 

[KatGrace1925]

I see Nathan has got the torch from Patrick as the favorite of bashing target, but thank God I am old enough and in the forum long enough to let go of any irritation quickly when I see negatives against Nathan.
I hope Nathan stays healthy and keeps improving to show the world he is a top skater of the total package although he is only 17.

I am so used to the skater bashing thing and I've only been here a year. Us Gracie fans deal with a ton of that stufff.

Nathan's been doing great, he's gotten this far this season without injury, I believe he can make it the rest of the way! Which means he will have completed his season goal of getting through without hurting himself.

 

[gsyzf]

Nathan is getting Evgenia's treatment now. Whenever he wins something, a few threads will be opened to bash him.

 

[sherlock trollmes]

Yup, he's upset the pecking order - this is the push back that come with that, unfortunately.

I heard that CBC aired their coverage of 4CC's, if somebody finds commentary for Nathan's program (I know YT has been taking them down but) could they link it here? Thanks!!