More thoughts on Patrick Chan

[skatingforever]

For the longest time, I couldn't put my feelings about Patrick Chan into words. Well, now I've found some, however inadequate they may be.

Patrick really listens to the misic. All skaters skate TO the misic, but Patrick skates WITH the music. I don't think many people realize just how difficult his programs are. If they did, he'd be getting a lot more credit for what he can do. He makes skating look so easy. He just floats over the ice. The music flows right through him, not as an afterthought but as an extension of himself.

His jumps are high and graceful and are part of the natural flow of his programs. It helps that he's very consistent on them. With Patrick, we don't wait for jumps to happen. They just do, flowing naturally out of the gorgeous choreography. That is, unless you've seen the program before and know where all the jumps are, lol. Then you nervously anticipate them, right?

Lastly, he's such a gentleman, happy with what the sport gives him and not asking for more. Good-natured Patrick has come so far but he can go further, and it's so exciting. Congrats on your WORLD SILVER MEDAL, Patrick!!! Good luck in 2010!

Sorry, I know I rambled a lot there, but that's what Patrick does to me. There's so much to say about him. Be sure to share your thoughts as well!

[skatingforever]

I have to say two more things about Patrick. For lack of a better analogy, he's a cuddly tiger. He's so soft-spoken but very competitive and, more importantly, very determined and driven.

When I watch Patrick skate, I feel like I'm watching a work of art, not a competitive program. Very similar to how I felt when I watched Michelle Kwan skate.

Please share any thoughts that you have if you'd like. I'm just REALLY excited right now!

[KittyKins]

Wow, that was very well said! It is so true what you said about the music being an extension of Patrick. He actually lives the music while he's skating to/with it. I think he was marked too low in the SP. I think that the technical specialist must have missed an element, perhaps in the footwork, that they noticed at 4CC. As the rest of you said, he makes things that are hard look so easy. He is a gentleman and is a great ambassador for our country. I think finishing in 2nd place, was the best thing to happen to him. When I think of the meteroric rise he has made this year, I think it would have been very hard for him, when he's only a teenager, to be touted as the favourite for the 2010 Olympics. He has a legitimate shot at the title though but now with less pressure hopefully. I'd love to hear him play the piano. Isn't he an artist as well? I'm not sure on that...perhaps I'm thinking of someone else.

[skatingforever]

Yeah, the commentators said Patrick played the piano. I don't know how well or anything but I would be interested to hear it. As for the length of what I said, I get very lengthy when I get excited, which I have been ever since Worlds started. If I really believe something, I can get rather eloquent.

The Olympics should be AMAZINGLY EXCITING next year. I know Plushenko wants to put Russia back on the map, but I hope he doesn't come back. Other countries/skaters should be given the chance to shine at this Olympics.

[KittyKins]

Yes, I think at this point, it's being a bit selfish on his part. He hasn't put in the work and time...to me that's not fair. It's like not going to choir practice and showing up right before the performance.

[skatingforever]

I made a great find on YouTube yesterday. It's a story that describes Lori Nichol's relationship with Patrick. I didn't realize she was so deeply involved. She's like another coach. This piece showed me that Patrick does struggle. It looks like he was having a rough day that day, from the footage that is shown. He is still learning how to think for himself on the ice. It was fascinating to see Lori in action. She has a good combination of gentleness and forcefulness. Here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N-TusooOy8

Watch and enjoy for yourselves! Seeing Patrick struggle and learn helps me appreciate his skating more. Nothing happens without effort, as much as we may think so with Patrick. He knows what he needs to work on and is willing to do that. For me, this piece adds more sparkle to the gem that is Patrick Chan.

Comments welcome always!

[KittyKins]

I believe that was shown on TV. I missed taping it but watched it. I thought at the time that she was being a bit bossy, maybe jumping to a few conclusions with Patrick that weren't quite fair, but I guess that's part of her job. I also thought it might have been a bit of a show for the camera.

[skatingforever]

Maybe. She was tough on him, but that's part of the deal at this level of skating. Patrick seems to respect all his coaches, and his results show that their methods must be working! Interesting thought about Lori doing a show for the camera...I don't know, but it is possible. She's only human after all. It was kind of eye opening to see all the struggles and work that Patrick (and all skaters) go through daily with nobody watching.

It is amazing what skaters can do! Most of it should not be humanly possible, lol. That's one reason why I love figure skating. It's mind-blowing and beautiful.

[KittyKins]

Yes, I agree! What other sport balances athletism and art so well together! Figure skating is really unique that way. I was drawn to it as soon as we got a TV in 1969, b & w in those days. I can't believe it's been almost 40 years! Funny, but when I watched skating, my impression as a kid was that all the Ice Dancers did was lock arms and skate around the edge of the ice (I mean along the boards), .

[KittyKins]

I see that McDonalds is going to have a Patrick Chan water bottle. I definitely have to get one of those! He's the only skater featured that I can see, but there are other athletes too such as Cindy Klassen, etc. I was in McDees tonight and saw some demonstration versions.

[Erica Armstrong]

Yeah, they're reasonably priced too.. $3.50 or something like that? Under $5 for sure.

Olympic fever is really starting to heat up. I love it.

[friends_forever]

Yeah, they're reasonably priced too.. $3.50 or something like that? Under $5 for sure.

Olympic fever is really starting to heat up. I love it.

My mom went in and asked for a "Patty Chan" water bottle for me and she said the kids in there looked at her like like she had 2 heads.

[KittyKins]

I am no longer Chan Waterbottleness!! I bought 3 yesterday! It took a while for them to come in. I think they were the last in the series. I just asked for the orange ones which did the trick. I can't believe those kids haven't seen the commerical with Patrick like everyone else. They've played it quite a few times and for someone to work at McDees and not know that....mmm. I got a few as I'll give a couple away as gifts. I don't know that I'll use it as a waterbottle, but maybe I could keep one and use the other for its original use. The artist did an excellent job. It looks just like him, more than the other athletes & bottles, I think. However, he doesn't have a helmet or anything, so they had to be pretty careful with presenting it correctly. Still...excellent artist! I wonder if he/she is a fan!

[suz_stephen]

Hi there,

Got to say I agree with the comments on Patrick. I was really blown away when I first saw him last year at Worlds. He is a total breath of fresh air to Men's skating. It's all there, the speed, artistry and feeling for the music. He always looks totally commited to giving everything he has.

I have heard that Lambiel is planning on coming back for the Olympics. Then there is Plushenko and of course Joubert, not forgetting Evan. They are all great but Plushenko had his moment four years ago. Joubert has had problems and changed coach again!When Evan won the Worlds the commentators pointed out that rarely if ever has a World Champion going into the Olympics ever won the event so only time will tell here! I would love to see someone take Plushenko's crown and there's no better chance than Patrick.

[KittyKins]

I agree that Patrick has a good chance. He's an underdog in a way because of his age and Canada's difficulties in men's skating at the Olympics. He brings such a joy to his skating...it's contageous. He's a promoter's dream...the cleancut kid with the love of skating...cute, cute cute. I know that orange water bottle from McDee's has been sold out first...they keep getting in more though, but he's POPULAR!

[KittyKins]

There's a great article on Patrick Chan in IFS magazine, Dec. edition. Cute pictures. What's really pathetic though is that he's already talking retirement from amateur skating. In my opinion, Patrick is a superb talent who has not reached his full potential yet...there is so much he could do in skating if he stuck around for another 4 years or at least a couple more. I mean he'd be only 23 years old at the next Olympics! I hope he stays in it so he can win a World Championship and the Olympics too if he is lucky. Why are these guys retiring so early? Jeff too, retired when he really seemed to have a legitimate shot at another Olympic medal, maybe even Gold. To me, if Patrick stayed in for another 4 years, no one could touch him. I hope he re-considers after Worlds this year. It would be horrible if he left too early and had regrets. I understand skaters wanting to do other things, but a skater like Patrick Chan is unlikely to come across Canada's paths again...he's unique in many ways. The 4 years is a big commitment for sure. For someone who's followed the ups and downs of skating, and men's in particular, for the past 40 years (started watching as soon as we got a tv), I have to say that I hope one day Canada will have a gold medal in Men's skating. Patrick has a shot at it this year, but he's young and is still developing, just landing his quad this year, not even in competition yet. Wouldn't he have an even better chance at the next Olympics in some ways, barring injury? Well, perhaps he'll change his mind.

[skatingforever]

There's a great article on Patrick Chan in IFS magazine, Dec. edition. Cute pictures. What's really pathetic though is that he's already talking retirement from amateur skating. In my opinion, Patrick is a superb talent who has not reached his full potential yet...there is so much he could do in skating if he stuck around for another 4 years or at least a couple more. I mean he'd be only 23 years old at the next Olympics! I hope he stays in it so he can win a World Championship and the Olympics too if he is lucky. Why are these guys retiring so early? Jeff too, retired when he really seemed to have a legitimate shot at another Olympic medal, maybe even Gold. To me, if Patrick stayed in for another 4 years, no one could touch him. I hope he re-considers after Worlds this year. It would be horrible if he left too early and had regrets. I understand skaters wanting to do other things, but a skater like Patrick Chan is unlikely to come across Canada's paths again...he's unique in many ways. The 4 years is a big commitment for sure. For someone who's followed the ups and downs of skating, and men's in particular, for the past 40 years (started watching as soon as we got a tv), I have to say that I hope one day Canada will have a gold medal in Men's skating. Patrick has a shot at it this year, but he's young and is still developing, just landing his quad this year, not even in competition yet. Wouldn't he have an even better chance at the next Olympics in some ways, barring injury? Well, perhaps he'll change his mind.

I know! The first sentence of that section of the article said, essentially, that he hadn't decided yet. Then it goes on and on, with quotes from Patrick, about how he's probably going to go pro. If you're going to start with the fact that he hasn't decided yet, why not leave it at that??? I was confused by it and more than a little saddened. If that's what Patrick decides to do, we'll have to live with it then, but why lay it out in such detail NOW if he hasn't decided??? Anyway...

I'd like to say that I LOVE how Patrick handles interviews. He is so willing to talk and always VERY honest. It's so refreshing to hear skaters say outright that they had a bad day, were tired, etc. His genuine answers make his interviews a joy to listen to or read. He is good at articulating his thoughts.

GOOD LUCK IN VANCOUVER, PATRICK!!! HOPE YOU HAVE A CLEAN COMPETITION AND WIN! Only time will tell...

[KittyKins]

I know! The first sentence of that section of the article said, essentially, that he hadn't decided yet. Then it goes on and on, with quotes from Patrick, about how he's probably going to go pro. If you're going to start with the fact that he hasn't decided yet, why not leave it at that??? I was confused by it and more than a little saddened. If that's what Patrick decides to do, we'll have to live with it then, but why lay it out in such detail NOW if he hasn't decided??? Anyway...

I'd like to say that I LOVE how Patrick handles interviews. He is so willing to talk and always VERY honest. It's so refreshing to hear skaters say outright that they had a bad day, were tired, etc. His genuine answers make his interviews a joy to listen to or read. He is good at articulating his thoughts.

GOOD LUCK IN VANCOUVER, PATRICK!!! HOPE YOU HAVE A CLEAN COMPETITION AND WIN! Only time will tell...

Well said! Perhaps Kurt will talk him out of it, since he's such a big fan. Jeff Buttle had recovered from a back injury, so who knows how much pain he was facing on a day to day basis. I guess no one knows except the skaters themselves, but it's very disappointing when they go too early from a fan's perspective. I think Patrick will regret it later if he does decide to go pro right away...but the amateur skating life is not easy.

Does anyone go on the cbc chat? I did on Saturday and really regretted it. Only certain people seem to be entitled to opinions on there and it reminds me of a figure skating site that we won't mention. Certain negative comments are allowed through and others aren't. It's weird and unfortunate. I think some skating fans get majorly carried away...I mean we are not someBODY just because we follow skating and happen to have a met or know a few skaters.

[skatingforever]

I guess no one knows except the skaters themselves, but it's very disappointing when they go too early from a fan's perspective. I think Patrick will regret it later if he does decide to go pro right away...but the amateur skating life is not easy.

Speaking of early exits, Tara Lipinski was only 15 years old. Granted, she won Nationals, Worlds, and the Olynpics by the time she turned pro. Before I knew about her hip problems, I thought it was strange to turn pro when you were still that young. I always preferred Michelle Kwan, so it wasn't a big loss for me. I'm not trying to disrespect Tara though.

[skatingforever]

Patrick landed his quad for the first time in competition at this year's Liberty (SP). Just saw a vid of the program on YouTube. The quad was beautiful, like, swish! (Forgive the basketball refrence, haha). And I really live the vibe of this SP. It's so much fun to watch and Patrick must have had a ball working on it.

And then in the LP he did a Triple Axel Triple Toe combo. Beautiful as well. I really like the changes they made to the LP. I think it has more of a dramatic impact this time around. Maybe that's just me, but I loved it right away. Patrick continues to evolve as a skater and it's great.

So, congrats to Patrick on the quad and Axel combo. Now he just has to put everything together at the Grand Prix, Nationals, and Worlds. I wish him the best of luck and can't wait to see more from him this season.

[KittyKins]

Yay, thanks for the update on Patrick! That's wonderful news and I'm going to check that out! Yipee!

P.S. I'm also glad that the Phantom program is returning for his LP this season (also on youtube). It is so beautifully choreographed and it was a shame that he couldn't skate it to the best of his ability last season. I think he must be thinking the same thing! Anyway, way to go Patrick!