I'm not so much worried about the performance itself. Everybody has a bad day, and it's better that it happened here rather than at the Olympics. But I am worried about Patrick's attitude and some of his comments to the press after the competition.
"Look at this week. You got moments like that, you just kind of throw your hands up and …I’m not a fan of this. I’d rather be home and be in my own bed and be comfortable."
"It’s definitely much harder now. I come to these events and the novelty has worn off a bit"
"It was hard for me to get started this year. Maybe because I know the end is near. So it’s getting harder and harder and harder to push myself and keep grinding it out at the very highest level. It gets tough."
You cannot compete at the level required for the Olympic Games unless you actually WANT to win. And to me it seems like he doesn't really care anymore?
During the TSN broadcast Tracy Wilson said that she was worried about him and that he needs to ask himself why he's here. I don't think I've ever heard her say that about Patrick before, but it's true. He can't just go to the Olympics because all of his other teammates are going or because he thinks maybe he could get a Team gold medal. He has to go because he actually wants to be there and he wants to compete and he wants to win.
So yeah idk. We'll see what happens I guess.
Hi Valentino,
Welcome to Patrick's fan fest where we celebrate our beloved chiddy
I agree with you.... some of Patrick's mental game is off...
I think it has to do with a few things.... and that he needs to rewrite the path...
Here is what I think :
When he came back : he was excited to compete... he didn't think his BV was weak or anything... he just went for it... he would dig himself a large whole in the SP (oh MTK... what a bad idea LOL) but then his Chopin, he would feel it, feel the energy from it would bring the best of him... He even won 4CC with it... and he was in a good position at Worlds if the ice had been simply better...
WTT Shoma landed the 4F... exotic quads were no longer just Jin's domaine and Patrick took the bull by the horn and learned at his venerable age, a 4S.... a gorgeous one too.
So, while some kids were learning their jumps, Patrick competed more often, adding a senior B, to give himself a chance to gradually improve the chances of getting his 4S steady.
He got it done... and eager again to raise his BV... added a very difficult combo... the 3aloop3s
Some of these things didn't work at worlds... but his SP was fabulous so he went and pushed himself and tried the 4S in the sp at WTT
Then... knowing that others had more quads... he tried the 4f this summer...
and this is where the pattern changes
Patrick realized the 4F wouldn't work out.... he nixed the idea....
Then, Nebelhorn mystery..... but he didn't get to compete....
Then, the big declaration about removing the 4S for now.... this is where i thought
kay... something is wrong... why is he not willing to take all of his weapons when he goes to the rink to fight?
I think that's when he thought that skating a quality program (i e clean ) meant more to him... There is nothing wrong with that but nobody can control that.... None of the men went clean yesterday.... same in Russia.... lowering his BV and hoping to be clean is a mistake. Patrick is a fighter and he cannot go unarmed. It goes against his personality....
To me, if felt like he had given up... he was saying he had nothing to prove etc... that's all very true : but there is one thing though.... On the night of the performance, you still have to face the music... and this... he couldn't.... His physical matters are definitely psychosomatic.... feeling leg heavy and tired happens to dancers or runners when stressed.
He was hoping to be clean here... to probably add his 4S back later.... now he sees that he cannot even be clean....
and he says this
“I mean, look at me,” he said. “I’m trying to find the good in this footwork sequence, when everyone is doing quads.
which expresses that he is no longer in the game... he cares about his steps.... while it would be more appropriate to care about landing a 4lz....
The sport is changing... everyone is trying new quads... even the boys at home... ... but he feels left out.
Patrick needs to refocus and reprogram himself properly.
He can compete with anyone. Even his flawed performance gave him 90 points in PCS.
He is a fabulous jumper.... not just a great artistic skater.
He has 2 great programs.
He is a competitor with the experience of the biggest moments... he can certainly bounce back.
He has one last olympics to go to... that opportunity will never get back....
I wish he would spend some time with Meagan and Eric, his close friends.... Eric is skating all year with a hernia, pushing through because they want to go to the games... they have both said : our bodies only have to hold up 6 more months.....
Hold on Patrick! Refocus! Get your competitive spirit back. Do not underestimate yourself! Yes others have more quads....
but it's okay....
you can only control what YOU are doing ... not what the others are doing.... -that's a basic rule in neuro-linguistic programming...
I hope he will find his joy back!
I was also criticized for the choice of repertoire... focusing on detailed artistry rather than explosive virtuosity.... One judge came to me one day and said : the fact that you are playing this extremely difficult music which requires such control and maturity is playing against you... we want to hear the "greatest hits" the "warhorses".... 
:clapper:
eace:
