Patrick Chan

[happylife]

I didn't realize some of you misread the message as his participation as a competitor at the event. He, along with Andrew, are the Right To Play's athlete ambassadors. I was thinking he would be there (not to compete) but now I'm not so sure.

BTW, in the Jin's withdrawal from GPF thread, Patrick is reported as depressed and having dropped out, based on PJ's mention. Incredible how rumours get started.

eta. Jin's withdrawal thread has disappeared.

etaa. The thread has reappeared but my second (totally non controversial) post is gone.

This is an interesting quote I've read recently:

"Rumors are carried by haters, spreaded by fools and accepted by idiots"

 

[4everchan]

I didn't realize some of you misread the message as his participation as a competitor at the event. He, along with Andrew, are the Right To Play's athlete ambassadors. I was thinking he would be there (not to compete) but now I'm not so sure.

BTW, in the Jin's withdrawal from GPF thread, Patrick is reported as depressed and having dropped out, based on PJ's mention. Incredible how rumours get started.

eta. Jin's withdrawal thread has disappeared.

etaa. The thread has reappeared but my second (totally non controversial) post is gone.

I never thought they were going to compete as they have BYES to Nationals and were never on the entry lists (unlike let's say someone like Nam who has a BYE but has always been on the entry list)

... I think what viv was alluding to is that they would be there in support of other athletes as some sort of "ambassador"... so, after drooling for a couple hours, i read the thread with my normal brain and i think that Right to Play made a mistake assuming they would be there... they are indeed Right to play ambassadors, and Right to play often sends shoot outs to their athletes, but the person writing the tweet must not have realized that the qualifying competition didn't include them

anyways... if someone sees some chiddychiddypopo in Pierrefonds, take pictures... but yeah.. I am pretty sure the tweet led to confusion... this is something Skate Canada would have announced to bring the crowd in.

 

[Violet Bliss]

This is an interesting quote I've read recently:

"Rumors are carried by haters, spreaded by fools and accepted by idiots"

I guess some rumours may be started by wishful supporters (of not just athletes) but I was amazed at the most negative possible spins of the tinniest mentions about Patrick. I was able to nip these at the start but have always kept a skeptical mind about reports of others skaters, especially when the "reports" are extremely biased and the people spreading them put in an earnest effort to convince others. E.g. the drama of the Chinese Pairs rearrangement and vilification of Zhang Hao.

 

[4everchan]

yup... vilification of Zhang and glorification of a team that still had lots to prove y/j....

i was a bit weirded out by the switcharoo game but right from the beginning I thought that YOU YOU would become a much better skater with experienced Zhang...

anyways.... people will always find things to say... Patrick can keep hiding if that's what is needed.... We are just not used not seeing his sexy smile and gorgeous skating for that long.

 

[vivley]

well.. .i was rereading the tweet... and honestly, i think we got ourselves too excited.

Right to Play's ambassadors... not Skate Canada athletes ambassadors

this is just unfortunately "wishful thinking news" that those two are in Montreal...

That's okay, because he will be at the Bell Centre in Montreal on May 2, 2018!

http://www.starsonice.ca/get-tickets.html

At last, it's officially on the Stars On Ice "Get Tickets" list! How many years did you wait for them to add Montreal to the tour?

 

[NoNameFace]

I didn't realize some of you misread the message as his participation as a competitor at the event. He, along with Andrew, are the Right To Play's athlete ambassadors. I was thinking he would be there (not to compete) but now I'm not so sure.

BTW, in the Jin's withdrawal from GPF thread, Patrick is reported as depressed and having dropped out, based on PJ's mention. Incredible how rumours get started.

eta. Jin's withdrawal thread has disappeared.

etaa. The thread has reappeared but my second (totally non controversial) post is gone.

honestly, I always think that we're past this, but then 'fake news' and 'alleged true facts' appear...

it's always the easiest to speak and make stories of those who are absent or silent from the general pulic view - do those circumstances give people permission to make such stuff up from press scraps, interviews? No, and skaters are not people's puppets to play and make stories about. For me, if there is a REAL consideration about Patrick's state AND how is he feeling, someone would make an effort and reach directly with him in person or if it is impossible - respect this silence, because maybe that's what Patrick not only wants, but NEEDS right now.

some people are real drama fans and try to insert it wherever they can - figure skating, Patrick are not soap opera elements to make exaggerated gossip galore about, some people should really get a grip over it, step aside and realize that this is their live, profession and feelings about it. We can only wish certain things, express our opinions, but making statements from several, disconnected pieces of information crosses the line I feel.

and to throw depression into the mix...seriously, as a person who existed among people with mental issues, I would never use that word lightly just because someone withdrawn from competition and is media silent...

 

[Violet Bliss]

Patrick depressed? Au contraire, I think staying away from competitions and the media is his way of keeping up his physical and mental health for the Olympics. Doing what he loves - skating, thrilling and inspiring youngsters, smooching, - sure will raise his happiness level. He's smart to keep away from all the negatives and cultivate his blissful zen mindset. In this season of anxiety and over training and injuries, his strategy may just be the best one.

 

[NoNameFace]

Patrick depressed? Au contraire, I think staying away from competitions and the media is his way of keeping up his physical and mental health for the Olympics. Doing what he loves - skating, thrilling and inspiring youngsters, smooching, - sure will raise his happiness level. He's smart to keep away from all the negatives and cultivate his blissful zen mindset. In this season of anxiety and over training and injuries, his strategy may just be the best one.

I agree - while a lot of ppl state that it's for he best to compete with 'top of the top' as much as possible to gear up in the best way for Olympics, Patrick's backing from it and searching an inspiration, motivation and challenge outside may be a good solution. This may be also an attempt to get at peace with himself and to find a necessary balance between competition strenght and joy from skating itself; it's actually good that he realizes that the needed step may be not to push harder, but maybe to relieve the pressure in another way. In time when a public exposure is sought and lots of athletes seems to need that kind of 'confirmation' over their path, Patrick decided differently, shame that so many people cannot leave it as it is. Patrick's being a public figure does not give anyone a right to make assumptions concerning his privacy, health state

 

[Potato on Ice]

I didn't realize some of you misread the message as his participation as a competitor at the event. He, along with Andrew, are the Right To Play's athlete ambassadors. I was thinking he would be there (not to compete) but now I'm not so sure.

BTW, in the Jin's withdrawal from GPF thread, Patrick is reported as depressed and having dropped out, based on PJ's mention. Incredible how rumours get started.

eta. Jin's withdrawal thread has disappeared.

etaa. The thread has reappeared but my second (totally non controversial) post is gone.

Oh my, I don’t know how some people can be so mean spreading rumors like that. If I were to take a guess I bet ol chiddy is just too caught up in Minecraft to leave his cave to entertain the media.

 

[Violet Bliss]

Oh my, I don’t know how some people can be so mean spreading rumors like that. If I were to take a guess I bet ol chiddy is just too caught up in Minecraft to leave his cave to entertain the media.

It was Marina's words, not PJ's like I hastily posted, that were stretched into despondency on Patrick's part. The earlier claim that he had been hanging out in bars was truly far fetched and malicious. Patrick's probable first and comedic attempt to buy a bottle of wine in BC, unaware of the need of ID, got him portrayed a boozing barfly! :dev2:

We don't know exactly what led Patrick to his decision to withdraw from the GP this year but often following one's feelings will prove to be the right path. Patrick's words that doing more than 3 quads in a program can hurt both the program's quality as well as the body are getting validated by the alarming injury list this season and being recognized as truth rather than sour grapes. We don't know how the Olympic competition will play out but at least Patrick stays healthy and happy on his way there. His less intense training is much better than forced rest and no training at all. Doing less and accomplishing more is the zen and Dao way. Calm and confidence is everything at the Olympics.

Patrick, stay healthy and happy.

 

[NoNameFace]

It was Marina's words, not PJ's like I hastily posted, that were stretched into despondency on Patrick's part. The earlier claim that he had been hanging out in bars was truly far fetched and malicious. Patrick's probable first and comedic attempt to buy a bottle of wine in BC, unaware of the need of ID, got him portrayed a boozing barfly! :dev2:

We don't know exactly what led Patrick to his decision to withdraw from the GP this year but often following one's feelings will prove to be the right path. Patrick's words that doing more than 3 quads in a program can hurt both the program's quality as well as the body are getting validated by the alarming injury list this season and being recognized as truth rather than sour grapes. We don't know how the Olympic competition will play out but at least Patrick stays healthy and happy on his way there. His less intense training is much better than forced rest and no training at all. Doing less and accomplish more is the zen and Dao way. Calm and confidence is everything at the Olympics.

Patrick, stay healthy and happy.

I think that Patrick's approach may prove (yet once again) there's no universal and always-working recipe for a success and winning competitions. For me, he obviously kind of 'rebelled' this year with this skip over second GP, focusing more of further goals than constand head-to-head not only with competitors, judges, but also with self-imposed pressure to follow up on standards set by others mostly nowadays that are not healthy nor suitable for everyone. I'm glad that he took that kind of ownership and took into consideration what he felt and experienced this Olympic race so far on first place, not really 'submitting' into obligatory trend that seems to burned out so many skaters, unfortunately.

I feel that Patrick's intention could be to made a journey out of this race - if he came at peace with all he accomplished, his skill and ability he has, the confidence ad ease got out of this could be his biggest weapon. For me, if there will be such lightness and focus on the moment created on ice Patrick achieved since his return to competition, he'll be fine regardless of quads number.

 

[Violet Bliss]

As I said, we don't know the exact reason(s) of Patrick's decision to not compete till the Nationals and the Olympics. For a change he's not revealing too much. But I believe he listened to his body and his heart and that is always the right way because your body and your heart don't lie. Minds are conditioned and overly affected by extrinsic factors such as others' opinions and current happenings and not usually for your own good and goal attainment. Don't believe everything you think. Use mind as a tool when needed but otherwise put it away and stop wondering, doubting, worrying, fear building, etc. A quiet mind can hear whispers of inspirations.

People have different hearts and bodies. Listen to your own. There are as many paths to success as there are people. When you don't feel right, get out and get on the right track that makes your heart and your body feel good.

 

[4everchan]

you know.. i agree with what everyone says here... though i am still wondering about the fact that Patrick is really a skater who has, over the years, settled in his programs as the season goes deep. Without much opportunity to skate them fully, I am not sure that strategy of skipping competitions is the best one. With two new programs, that's a lot of material to get used to perform in competition.

In any case, Nationals are coming and truly, that's where we will have our answers. A performance similar to what he has managed at previous nationals will show he took the right path. Anything below that will bring concern.

 

[Violet Bliss]

you know.. i agree with what everyone says here... though i am still wondering about the fact that Patrick is really a skater who has, over the years, settled in his programs as the season goes deep. Without much opportunity to skate them fully, I am not sure that strategy of skipping competitions is the best one. With two new programs, that's a lot of material to get used to perform in competition.

This is not a normal season, as it's evident by now. Patrick knew he couldn't/shouldn't be pushing himself from the time of SC. Whether it was mental or physical or both, he didn't feel comfortable to continue the same path of training and competing. Observing from the sideline, he is perhaps feeling more comfortable and sure of his decision. He hasn't incurred a really serious injury even if he may have been nursing something minor or preventing a serious one and he can see how unpredictable Men's competitions can be and that the most formidable quadsters can be stopped in their track abruptly. The realization may help him continue his course calmly and maintain a relaxed zen mindset at the Games. At both previous Olympics, it was his mind that needed to be better managed. This time around, he also has the goal to enjoy the Games as his last chance.

In any case, Nationals are coming and truly, that's where we will have our answers. A performance similar to what he has managed at previous nationals will show he took the right path. Anything below that will bring concern.

The answers to what? We don't know if he could have done better or worse with continued GP competition(s). We don't know how the Olympic Men's event will play out. I'd just be happy to see him healthy and capable of his usual beautiful performance, hopefully with competitive BV and TES as well.

 

[4everchan]

This is not a normal season, as it's evident by now. Patrick knew he couldn't/shouldn't be pushing himself from the time of SC. Whether it was mental or physical or both, he didn't feel comfortable to continue the same path of training and competing. Observing from the sideline, he is perhaps feeling more comfortable and sure of his decision. He hasn't incurred a really serious injury even if he may have been nursing something minor or preventing a serious one and he can see how unpredictable Men's competitions can be and that the most formidable quadsters can be stopped in their track abruptly. The realization may help him continue his course calmly and maintain a relaxed zen mindset at the Games. At both previous Olympics, it was his mind that needed to be better managed. This time around, he also has the goal to enjoy the Games as his last chance.



The answers to what? We don't know if he could have done better or worse with continued GP competition(s). We don't know how the Olympic Men's event will play out. I'd just be happy to see him healthy and capable of his usual beautiful performance, hopefully with competitive BV and TES as well.

your answers are all very fine but do not really match my concerns or sentiment about the situation.

I am not talking about the current state. I have accepted Patrick's strategy. Considering the season others are having, I prefer that he remains healthy and cautious. However, I know what kind of performer he has been in the past, one who finds easier and easier and easier to get looser and better with the number of repetition a program gets. It's the same for some of us musicians... some of us need a few run-throughs to really perform well, especially new material.

Patrick has never been in a situation where he has asked of himself VOLUNTARILY to perform without much competition. Yuna Kim did it... she was fine .. but she was also known for her consistency and nerves of steels.... but some others get better and better as the season progresses. There is a possibility that Patrick shows up at Nationals and freaks out... thinking about the skipped events, the lack of experience with the programs, or simply thinking about the implications of the results.

In order for Patrick to have happy games, I believe he will need a certain degree of competency at Nationals... without that, he will realize that he has 1 month before games and no other options to run-through things in high stress situations.

A performance requires many elements to be successful..

It requires appropriate training and conditioning : let's assume he is still doing that.
It requires to reach what people call the zone or a level of focus and confidence : Patrick has been struggling with that. A lot of his mistakes in the past are timing/focus issues.... a guy like him doesn't waxel because he cannot do a double axel... focus error. Is the current strategy provides enough outings to adjust to the pressure of the crowd at a competition? It's not the same thing to recreate such moments in practice venue.
A good program is often tweaked : i remember Patrick saying how they would add 2 second of music here and there after competing, because he felt rushed into a jump. These tweakings really appear from competing.

Can Patrick go "cold" at Nationals and perform to the same level as we are used to see him at that point in the year? If he can, then that's why I say some of my answers will be answered.... nothing to do with the Olympics... that's another ball game... If Patrick shows up at Nationals and skates to last year's level for instance, I will be able to believe that indeed, at this point in his career, he has enough experience to skip over the seniors b and GPs... and shine no matter he decides it's time to compete..

Keep in mind that Patrick didn't have a good outing in 2010 (sure he was a much younger athlete), because an injury kept him away from competing in the fall.... he was fine by worlds and skated much better then.... so that's why I find Nationals here to become an indicator of how he can grasp the mental requirements of performing... without actually having many opportunities to experiment with his feelings yet... Perhaps, after 10 years of skating, he is ready to show off without much preparation...

but what if things didn't go his way.... so my point is

I do appreciate a new strategic move.. but will t work? That's what I am saying ...
Go Patrick!!!

 

[vivley]

Well, he was in Vancouver yesterday at the Cyclone Taylor Figure Skating store:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BcQKr9SDsFt/?taken-by=cyclonetaylorfigureskating

Got a comment on my blog today that made me a bit more anxious, since I just bought a few plane tickets for me and family to go to Vancouver. A fan from France is flying over to see him at Nationals, too. I am hoping and praying for the best. Meanwhile, I will keep updating the blog! :agree:

 

[4everchan]

Well, he was in Vancouver yesterday at the Cyclone Taylor Figure Skating store:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BcQKr9SDsFt/?taken-by=cyclonetaylorfigureskating

Got a comment on my blog today that made me a bit more anxious, since I just bought a few plane tickets for me and family to go to Vancouver. A fan from France is flying over to see him at Nationals, too. I am hoping and praying for the best. Meanwhile, I will keep updating the blog! :agree:

he surely didn't need his ID for that one!

 

[Violet Bliss]

The wine shop lady notwithstanding, Patrick is so well known and well liked in Canada we have been treated to frequent posting of his photos on social media. Figure skaters don't get so recognized in the US, especially the foreign ones.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

The wine shop lady notwithstanding, Patrick is so well known and well liked in Canada we have been treated to frequent posting of his photos on social media. Figure skaters don't get so recognized in the US, especially the foreign ones.

Actually, they do.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Go Patrick!! :dance: