Patrick Chan

[demarinis5]

So nice to read about all of the support for Patrick. He really is well loved in skating circles around the world.

Here is a link from DTRS about a TV program with Daisuke that was aired on 10/21. It is about the 150 Anniversary of Canada and
Dai talks about Patrick, unfortunately the video is not translated.

https://www.facebook.com/DaisukeTakahashiRoadtoSochi/posts/1123780754426155

Dai will be doing on site commentating at NHK and my fingers are crossed that he will get to interview his good friend Patrick.

 

[SGrand]

Skating was not conferring my bliss on Saturday, and after two days of physical inactivity, I took time off from figure skating to catch up on other matters. Back and happy to see positivity goes on and new posters joined in.

My bliss was shaken with Anna's horrible horrible falls, more so than Patrick's off performance. I was not shaken up by his LP because it still mesmerized me, but the missed jumps piled up and I became concerned. I have followed his mindset in a distance for years, fascinated and studying and validating a natural winner's emotions, thoughts, attitude, responses to situations, etc. but this season it has been particularly off.

I believe reality follows your beliefs and mindset. When Patrick came back, he said he wanted to stay with the top pack, so he finished 5th, mission/limit accomplished. This year so far, I've been concerned with what he uttered. Yes, I like his new wisdom, new self-centeredness, and the more relaxed attitude, but he has sounded defeated, like his old rivals, like those exasperated in chasing him. I support his pursuit of ideal skating, not medals, but he's sounded resigned. He talked about the youngsters bodies, their awesome jumps, his old age, and that jumps are not his forte, etc. He wants to skate for joy but he's been focusing on the negative, on the frustration, and even fear. Fear, that is the worst. Nathan is fearless, Jin is fearless, and Patrick was fearless. Fear creeps into everything. Fearing a quad makes all jumps fearsome. Fear of competition brings under-performances. Fear ruins everything. Love supports everything.

Patrick has been focusing on the negative instead of the positive, on fear instead of love and on distractions rather than on his goal.

Focus on the love and joy of skating, on bringing the performance, on all the love you can give and all the love you receive, Patrick. Love your skating, your blessings, your glorious career, your fans, your programs and music, your choreography, your steps and your jumps. Yes, your jumps - you have been great at them until you doubt yourself. Focus on why you are skating and competing, not why you would rather not; on what you want to accomplish with your performance, not on what may go wrong; and on your current goals, not on their obstacles.

This past weekend were just off days for you, Patrick. You are still a champion, in more ways than one. May we see you bringing it at NHK, and show us your amazing stuff.

Go Patrick!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a beautiful sentiment! I couldn't agree more. Sorry to jump in here out of nowhere, I used to lurk and post occasionally, but it has been months and months. Glad to see the love for Chiddy stronger than ever, hope he feels it and fights this season.

 

[4everchan]

Skating was not conferring my bliss on Saturday, and after two days of physical inactivity, I took time off from figure skating to catch up on other matters. Back and happy to see positivity goes on and new posters joined in.

My bliss was shaken with Anna's horrible horrible falls, more so than Patrick's off performance. I was not shaken up by his LP because it still mesmerized me, but the missed jumps piled up and I became concerned. I have followed his mindset in a distance for years, fascinated and studying and validating a natural winner's emotions, thoughts, attitude, responses to situations, etc. but this season it has been particularly off.

I believe reality follows your beliefs and mindset. When Patrick came back, he said he wanted to stay with the top pack, so he finished 5th, mission/limit accomplished. This year so far, I've been concerned with what he uttered. Yes, I like his new wisdom, new self-centeredness, and the more relaxed attitude, but he has sounded defeated, like his old rivals, like those exasperated in chasing him. I support his pursuit of ideal skating, not medals, but he's sounded resigned. He talked about the youngsters bodies, their awesome jumps, his old age, and that jumps are not his forte, etc. He wants to skate for joy but he's been focusing on the negative, on the frustration, and even fear. Fear, that is the worst. Nathan is fearless, Jin is fearless, and Patrick was fearless. Fear creeps into everything. Fearing a quad makes all jumps fearsome. Fear of competition brings under-performances. Fear ruins everything. Love supports everything.

Patrick has been focusing on the negative instead of the positive, on fear instead of love and on distractions rather than on his goal.

Focus on the love and joy of skating, on bringing the performance, on all the love you can give and all the love you receive, Patrick. Love your skating, your blessings, your glorious career, your fans, your programs and music, your choreography, your steps and your jumps. Yes, your jumps - you have been great at them until you doubt yourself. Focus on why you are skating and competing, not why you would rather not; on what you want to accomplish with your performance, not on what may go wrong; and on your current goals, not on their obstacles.

This past weekend were just off days for you, Patrick. You are still a champion, in more ways than one. May we see you bringing it at NHK, and show us your amazing stuff.

Go Patrick!!!!!!!!!!!!

I totally agree.... this is the eloquent and well-written version of my many posts filled with raw emotions and rough grammar ... thank you for taking the time to express these feelings so nicely.

 

[Krunchii]

Was in the audience at Skate Canada but I will collect my thoughts later about seeing Patrick live again, I was at all the practices including the exhibition practice too. The free skate was a bit of a disappointment but his skating was still incredibly gorgeous.

Meanwhile I'll leave this here: https://twitter.com/wereoldmen/status/925198311040065537

 

[4everchan]

Was in the audience at Skate Canada but I will collect my thoughts later about seeing Patrick live again, I was at all the practices including the exhibition practice too. The free skate was a bit of a disappointment but his skating was still incredibly gorgeous.

Meanwhile I'll leave this here: https://twitter.com/wereoldmen/status/925198311040065537

 

[vivley]

Was in the audience at Skate Canada but I will collect my thoughts later about seeing Patrick live again, I was at all the practices including the exhibition practice too. The free skate was a bit of a disappointment but his skating was still incredibly gorgeous.

Meanwhile I'll leave this here: https://twitter.com/wereoldmen/status/925198311040065537

Thanks for sharing!

What a nice comment from Han Yan about "Old Chan"! "Skater with Soul!" :agree:

 

[Victura]

Thanks for sharing!

What a nice comment from Han Yan about "Old Chan"! "Skater with Soul!" :agree:

That's such a lovely message from Han Yan - I hope Patrick sees it! I believe it was during the 2016 4CCs when the podium was Patrick, Boyang, and Han, and one of the photographers asked for a picture with just the Chinese skaters and Han pointed to Patrick and said "same"!

Also, just a note for the non-Chinese, it's very common to call someone "old" plus their surname - it's a sign of respect and warmth towards that person. It could be for someone older but also for peers. "Little" plus surname is also used, usually for a younger friend, and "little" plus (part or all of) the first name can be used as a nickname.

 

[4everchan]

That's such a lovely message from Han Yan - I hope Patrick sees it! I believe it was during the 2016 4CCs when the podium was Patrick, Boyang, and Han, and one of the photographers asked for a picture with just the Chinese skaters and Han pointed to Patrick and said "same"!

Also, just a note for the non-Chinese, it's very common to call someone "old" plus their surname - it's a sign of respect and warmth towards that person. It could be for someone older but also for peers. "Little" plus surname is also used, usually for a younger friend, and "little" plus (part or all of) the first name can be used as a nickname.

Han's adoration for Patrick is indeed well documented... and when I look at him skate, I can see that he is emulating Venerable Chiddy I hope too ... that Patrick will see all the support he has received... Perhaps that's what is needed here. Patrick needs to see that fans, skaters, people involved in the sport or not, LOVE his skating and wish him well. This support is unique and universal. It is rare to be a living legend and receive this kind of tribute while still competing.

 

[xeyra]

I've taken a while to catch up on things this weekend and only now managed to read all the comments on Patrick's thread about SC. You've all expressed a lot of feelings I have about Patrick's mentality for this season and the hopes that he comes to enjoy this last year as much as he can in much better ways and with better knowledge of Patrick than I could have.

As a newish skating fan, it's always a little sad when you find yourself appreciating skaters who are at the tailend of their careers, realizing you've become a fan just as they're about to stop competing soon. Then you want them to have their swan songs in the most beautiful way possible. That is definitely something I want for Patrick. To say goodbye to competitive skating with all the joy and passion and exquisite detail he puts into his skating and programs. So I wish him to find that joy in it again that is removed from scoring or the difficulty race going on right now in men's. But at the same time, I wish him to find in himself also the determination of someone who is definitely not giving up.

 

[Potato on Ice]

Just a quick question guys, do you think Patrick will compete in 4CC at Taiwan?
It might be my last opportunity to watch Patrick skate live competitively. :agree2:

 

[NoNameFace]

I know I'm bad and did not come here for a long time, but...

...after carving some time to re-watch SC performances of Patrick, I think that behind all this surface made by scores, not fully succeeding in technical side execution-wise, final placement, there is an important lesson and point to be taken for both Patrick and people watching him. While I understand his desire to make this probably last competitive season as good as possible in every perspective, Skate Canada definitely showed that the path to fulfil that desire, personal expectations, a strive to this 'perfection' state is not easy, especially for athletes like Patrick; his performances for me fully captured that 'torn' state between 'personal' and 'expectation' elements, which is actually kind of refreshing and grounding in my opinion (yes, it's paradox I know, but I cannot help having this feeling of things still being kind of normal - after all, I'd say that most struggles are normal, just being overblown by other who are not experiencing them, at the same time - I fully understand the compassion and engagement shown by Patrick fans there, when the sensibility like Patrick's is in struggle, it is infectious for those connected with his skating closely).

For me, his struggle shown between this balance of having a performance impactful AND successful in competition reality is the most real, raw thing out there and in my opinion this could be a departure point instead of condemnation one; will it make Patrick more successful? I don't know, but will it make him more aware and confident about himself? I hope so. I'd say that Patrick is kind of 'unique specie' out there in this dynamically evolving Men's field and there is always a learning curve to apply, Skate Canada experience could make Patrick more conscious and focused on things he really want to put out there, it could also potentially give him more freedom and less self-implied pressure going forward in competitions. Besides, I still think that the signature of him, sensibility in performance, beauty and transcendent quality/feel of his movement to the music were still intact - it shows that innate skill, instinct to not give up on performance, even if execution element fails.

The problem with perfection is that it is never a granted, steady thing - it evolves during our lives, circumstances of it, and I feel like Patrick may be on the route, but somehow got detracted; it could be about tools not fully matching the effect he's going for, the self-frustration/self-disappointment about technicalities' execution despite his willingness, conception. I think that Skate Canada could give him much-needed push to make things work better FOR HIM, not necessarily always for competition. Last season, I really admired that 'customization' feel around his work, the stress put mostly on himself, his signature in skating, how it influenced all elements involved into programs/performances, successful or not - I hope to see it more as this very season progresses. Regardless of results, what will happen in competitions next - I hope that Patrick will do the best for himself mostly, moves/decisions that will make him more at ease, not making thing easier to achieve necessarily. I think that the material he has on his hands is universal and simplistic enough to make it big and impactful.

And big thanks to You All contributing Your thoughts there - it is always a great read for me, because it is sourced from passion and engagement into Patrick, his skating

 

[Tulipstar]

Skating was not conferring my bliss on Saturday, and after two days of physical inactivity, I took time off from figure skating to catch up on other matters. Back and happy to see positivity goes on and new posters joined in.

My bliss was shaken with Anna's horrible horrible falls, more so than Patrick's off performance. I was not shaken up by his LP because it still mesmerized me, but the missed jumps piled up and I became concerned. I have followed his mindset in a distance for years, fascinated and studying and validating a natural winner's emotions, thoughts, attitude, responses to situations, etc. but this season it has been particularly off.

I believe reality follows your beliefs and mindset. When Patrick came back, he said he wanted to stay with the top pack, so he finished 5th, mission/limit accomplished. This year so far, I've been concerned with what he uttered. Yes, I like his new wisdom, new self-centeredness, and the more relaxed attitude, but he has sounded defeated, like his old rivals, like those exasperated in chasing him. I support his pursuit of ideal skating, not medals, but he's sounded resigned. He's talked about the youngsters' bodies, their awesome jumps, his old age, and that jumps are not his forte, etc. He wants to skate for joy but he's been focusing on the negative, on the frustration, and even fear. Fear, that is the worst. Nathan is fearless, Jin is fearless, and Patrick was fearless. Fear creeps into everything. Fearing a quad makes all jumps fearsome. Fear of competition brings under-performances. Fear ruins everything. Love supports everything.

Patrick has been focusing on the negative instead of the positive, on fear instead of love and on distractions rather than on his goal.

Focus on the love and joy of skating, on bringing the performance, on all the love you can give and all the love you receive, Patrick. Love your skating, your blessings, your glorious career, your fans, your programs and music, your choreography, your steps and your jumps. Yes, your jumps - you have been great at them until you doubt yourself. Focus on why you are skating and competing, not why you would rather not; on what you want to accomplish with your performance, not on what may go wrong; and on your current goals, not on their obstacles.

This past weekend were just off days for you, Patrick. You are still a champion, in more ways than one. May we see you bring it at NHK, and show us your amazing stuff.

Go Patrick!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good analysis.
I think that part of him just wants to enjoy skating and that he knows people will appreciate him skating beautiful programs at the Olympics even if there were no quads involved at all. On the other hand, he was the very best once, so it must be frustrating to not be able to compete with guys who have lots of quads. Perhaps he's in between those two thoughts.

I really liked his appreciation for his fans by the way, even when a plushy got thrown to his face in the K&C.

 

[4everchan]

Just a quick question guys, do you think Patrick will compete in 4CC at Taiwan?
It might be my last opportunity to watch Patrick skate live competitively. :agree2:

Probably not because it's too close to the Olympics and he will have the team event there as well. but it's all unpredictable at this point.

 

[anyanka]

Also, just a note for the non-Chinese, it's very common to call someone "old" plus their surname - it's a sign of respect and warmth towards that person. It could be for someone older but also for peers. "Little" plus surname is also used, usually for a younger friend, and "little" plus (part or all of) the first name can be used as a nickname.

Yes, it's an honourific term, like adding "-san" or "-sama" or "-chan" in Japanese. (Would that make him "Chan-chan" in Japan?)

 

[Sam-Skwantch]

Yes, it's an honourific term, like adding "-san" or "-sama" or "-chan" in Japanese. (Would that make him "Chan-chan" in Japan?)

You just wrinkled my brain :giveup:

 

[anyanka]

Just a quick question guys, do you think Patrick will compete in 4CC at Taiwan?
It might be my last opportunity to watch Patrick skate live competitively. :agree2:

Don't think so, it's too close to the OG team event start. Unless he decides to make Asia his temporary training base for the month leading up to the games, so he doesn't have to deal with jet lag or fatigue. A lot of top skaters who were named to their OG teams didn't go to 4CC, that's why we saw Kanako compete in 4CC and win it because her event started in the last half of the games, so she had time to recover.

You can always fly from Taiwan (that's where you are?) to Vancouver on direct flights and see him in Canadian nationals this January! I think China Airlines and Eva Air both do direct flights a few times a week. And even if you're not, YVR / Vancouver is a major hub for trans-Pacific flights, so lots of options to fly over for a week and also see all the other Canadians perform.

 

[Violet Bliss]

Yes, it's an honourific term, like adding "-san" or "-sama" or "-chan" in Japanese. (Would that make him "Chan-chan" in Japan?)

The "old" and "little" prefix is for the familiar among peers, often to differentiate people of the same surnames, thus Patrick is old relative to Nathan and Karen and of course Hannie. So are all the family/relative moniker, Uncle, Aunt, Big Sister, Little Brother, Granny, etc according to age, casual manner rather than the formal honourifics, of which there are many.

 

[anyanka]

The "old" and "little" prefix is for the familiar among peers, often to differentiate people of the same surnames, thus Patrick is old relative to Nathan and Karen and of course Hannie. So are all the family/relative moniker, Uncle, Aunt, Big Sister, Little Brother, Granny, etc according to age, casual manner rather than the formal honourifics, of which there are many.

Thanks for that.

 

[skatingfan4ever]

“And love is not a victory march. It’s a cold and it’s a broken Hallelujah.”

Patrick’s love of skating is certainly not a victory march right now, and in the SC LP, it manifested itself as a broken Hallelujah. Patrick skated brokenly, tiredly, like a skater at the end of his rope whose strength is nearly gone. And yet, there was still such beauty in it, a sense of rawness and deep emotion. The first time I watched the LP, I had the sound muted on my TV because I wanted to see the program with the clarity of TV but, knowing what happened, wanted zero commentary. This is what I learned: THIS PROGRAM HAS SO MANY BEAUTIFUL IMAGES!!! AT ANY MOMENT IN IT, YOU CAN TAKE A SNAPSHOT THAT WOULD SAY SO MUCH!!! The truly amazing part is that the artistic intent of the program comes through so strongly even without music. And then I watched the No Commentary Video online with the sound on, and the music merely added to the beauty that was already inherent in the movement and artistic expression. Patrick’s skating can, in fact, mesmerize me without any music. (I doubt I will be showing this specific performance to any of my non-fan friends though). I felt as though I was watching a JO performance, but unfortunately it was happening at SC. Patrick looked shocked when he got up from the 4T and so then he seemingly rushed all the other jumps. The 3F at the end was beautiful though. Even when it’s broken and difficult to give, a Hallelujah is still a Hallelujah. I am so grateful that Patrick is still competing, so he could give us these two programs, regardless of how the jumps go. Plus, I both costumes this season so much!!!

I love it and hate it that Patrick is so incredibly open in interviews. It’s nice to know what he’s thinking, but at the same time, he’s so blunt when he’s frustrated that it hurts my heart. All I want to do right now is give him a nice long hug without saying anything!!! :yes: (I know this will never happen, as I am a very insignificant fan appreciating him from afar). From Bev Smith’s article, we learned a few things:

- Confirmation that Patrick missed Nebelhorn because he wasn’t comfortable in new boots yet. He “hated” to miss it.

- At the moment, Patrick feels out of place in the current men’s field (which saddens me greatly because he sounded so content and upbeat after 2017 Worlds). “I mean, look at me. I’m trying to find the good in this footwork sequence, when everyone is doing quads. Not much positive I can say at this event, but it’s okay.” (For the record, I did enjoy both step sequences a lot, and the spins were fabulous as well).

- Somewhere in his mind, he knows he should keep fighting. “But sometimes you’ve got to define when to push yourself through the tough times. When you really don’t want to, you have to push yourself or whether it does mean just pulling yourself back.“ (From everything I’ve read so far, I think he will go to NHK, but we’ll know soon enough).

- The crowd still showed him the love after the LP! :luv17: “The heartwarming part, the heartbreaking part, was that when Patrick took his final, wilted bow, the crowd at the Brandt Centre began to stand and cheer. And cheer for Patrick Chan.”

Forgive me for this long and somewhat rambling post. Welcome to all the new and newly returned posters!!! The atmosphere here right now is better than after Sochi, and this SC was actually a worse skate and situation. Thanks, everyone, and keep it up!!!

 

[4everchan]

The "old" and "little" prefix is for the familiar among peers, often to differentiate people of the same surnames, thus Patrick is old relative to Nathan and Karen and of course Hannie. So are all the family/relative moniker, Uncle, Aunt, Big Sister, Little Brother, Granny, etc according to age, casual manner rather than the formal honourifics, of which there are many.

Granny Chiddy sounds much better than Granny Smith