Nathan Chen | Page 932 | Golden Skate

Nathan Chen

1111bm

Final Flight
Joined
Dec 31, 2016
I thought they would discuss Nemesis more since Florent Amodio also competed a Nemesis program.

Florent Amodio's program (Nemesis starts around 3 minute mark): https://youtu.be/VNg0P27BVPE

Wow, the difference between Florent's program and Shae's choreo combined with Nathan's skating style is like night and day. :eeking:
Makes me appreciate the uniqueness and originality of Nathan's Nemesis program even more than I already did (as if that's even possible :laugh:).

It was interesting to hear Nathan describe the recovery from his hip injury. I've always wondered why it took him off the ice for such a long time. I'm still surprised he needed to take it that slowly, but the whole scar tissue thing makes sense of course (although I always assumed it had more to do with an imbalance or shortened ligaments or something like that).

And I'm sooo curious about what's going to happen regarding his new programs. Assuming that at some point COVID-19 measures in the US will loosen up and he'll have access to ice and provided there's even a chance that there's gonna be a next season, however long or short. I would guess that travelling to Montreal still won't be an option, not until late autumn at least?

I think he was gonna stick with Shae for one of his programs anyway, and since she's living in his area, meeting with her won't be a problem. But what about his second program? I'm afraid he might recycle his Rocketman LP and only get a new SP. :(
Now I certainly love the idea of another Shae program, but for me La Boheme >>> Rocketman, so keeping Rocketman would be very disappointing and I'd rather get to see La Boheme for another season.

Or maybe he'd go to another choreographer living in the US (provided travelling across state borders is not a problem by then?). I'm of course still rooting for another program by Nadia, which would be the easiest solution location-wise ;).

I don't think he'd go for two programs by Shae, because he strikes me as someone who enjoys variety in the choreographers he works with. Plus, he's described Shae's process of creating a program as very detail-oriented and precise (which I think is very noticeable when comparing his three Shae programs, with each program having very distinct choreo up to the fingertips) and I'm not sure he'd go for two programs that are demanding in that way, with possibly very limited practice time and a potential return to Yale for another 1-2 semesters.
 

alexaa

Final Flight
Joined
Mar 27, 2018

Thanks sheetz. The list keeps growing:biggrin:

Stars on Ice
https://twitter.com/starsonice/status/1257799577455001600?s=20

Patinage Magazine
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_0P2hzIpLO/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

TeamUSA Twitter
https://twitter.com/TeamUSA/status/1257707506555449344?s=20

TeamUSA IG
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_0EYdGlHAw/?igshid=1r3hdkhyp491z

Mariah
https://twitter.com/NathanChenJP/status/1257910876893351936?s=20

Adam’s mom
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_1HL0zpG0M/?igshid=jnli2uwq62f3

Tokyo Olympics
https://twitter.com/NBCOlympics/status/1257780958926864386?s=20

Great Park Ice
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_0x8UDgv-x/?igshid=1f21coebks2a4

Smashley Clark
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_1kiUKp4Q-/?igshid=34hn3fw60etm
 

1111bm

Final Flight
Joined
Dec 31, 2016
Kevin Aymoz also skated to Nemesis, 2016 junior Grand Prix finals.

You're right, I totally forgot, even though I've watched his program once. :palmf:.
Well, what can I say, it's Kevin being Kevin. :laugh: He's working his trademark style, which is very distinct in itself of course (and as always, he's throwing himself into the performance, literally, so yay for that). But for me the choreography lacks precision and refinement, and it's also not very um... 'customised' for the music. But of course, very few programs are, since it's incredibly difficult to be original. And not many skaters have access to great choreographers, especially at the Junior level (which is not to say, that a less popular or little-known choreographer can't come up with something great and unique, or that reputable ones always deliver, but I'd still assume that in general you'll find more generic, run-of-the-mill choreography among lower level skaters' programs).
 

figskatefan

Rinkside
Joined
Feb 2, 2019
I agree with your comments about Kevin’s Nemesis. Shae’s choreography was a masterpiece, so well matched to the music, enhancing it. But it took a skater with the skating & dancing chops to do that choreography justice. Nathan has said more than once it’s his favorite program. To think Nathan could deliver that at such a young age.
 

Ella5555

On the Ice
Joined
Feb 14, 2018
You're right, I totally forgot, even though I've watched his program once. :palmf:.
Well, what can I say, it's Kevin being Kevin. :laugh: He's working his trademark style, which is very distinct in itself of course (and as always, he's throwing himself into the performance, literally, so yay for that). But for me the choreography lacks precision and refinement, and it's also not very um... 'customised' for the music. But of course, very few programs are, since it's incredibly difficult to be original. And not many skaters have access to great choreographers, especially at the Junior level (which is not to say, that a less popular or little-known choreographer can't come up with something great and unique, or that reputable ones always deliver, but I'd still assume that in general you'll find more generic, run-of-the-mill choreography among lower level skaters' programs).
To be fair, Kevin was exhausted at the end of his FS at the 2016 GPF...almost walking through some of the elements. That being said, IMO, Nathan’s version is the best. My absolute favorite performance of Nemesis is the one on Day 3 of 2019 ATS:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...=q9nJ0HvrwAg&usg=AOvVaw0rZqN4nwHKbkGH3C4PMBh8
 

1111bm

Final Flight
Joined
Dec 31, 2016
To be fair, Kevin was exhausted at the end of his FS at the 2016 GPF...almost walking through some of the elements. That being said, IMO, Nathan’s version is the best. My absolute favorite performance of Nemesis is the one on Day 3 of 2019 ATS:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...=q9nJ0HvrwAg&usg=AOvVaw0rZqN4nwHKbkGH3C4PMBh8

No, that's not it. Kevin's stamina was a lot better when he skated a more complete senior version of that program at Europeans that same season, including an additional (mandatory) choreo sequence that he put all his heart into. But that still doesn't change my impression of his program.

Back to Nathan, I've always enjoyed the early performances of Nemesis the most, i.e. at US International FS Classic, Rostelecom and Skate America. They just feel so raw and free (same goes for Mao's last dancer). Another favourite of mine is his performance of Nemesis at 2017's Carnival on ice. His moves looked a bit more smooth and reminded me of his 'Stole the Show' Ex.
 

Ella5555

On the Ice
Joined
Feb 14, 2018
No, that's not it. Kevin's stamina was a lot better when he skated a more complete senior version of that program at Europeans that same season, including an additional (mandatory) choreo sequence that he put all his heart into. But that still doesn't change my impression of his program.

Back to Nathan, I've always enjoyed the early performances of Nemesis the most, i.e. at US International FS Classic, Rostelecom and Skate America. They just feel so raw and free (same goes for Mao's last dancer). Another favourite of mine is his performance of Nemesis at 2017's Carnival on ice. His moves looked a bit more smooth and reminded me of his 'Stole the Show' Ex.

I won’t argue with any of those choices. They’re all great. In fact, I think I’ll go back and watch them again. To this point, I believe that’s his signature piece, which is interesting because of his Olympic experience. I like that he found so much joy in the many performances of it afterward in spite of that experience - plus audiences are really enthusiastic when he performs it.
 

shine

Record Breaker
Joined
Jul 27, 2003
You're right, I totally forgot, even though I've watched his program once. :palmf:.
Well, what can I say, it's Kevin being Kevin. :laugh: He's working his trademark style, which is very distinct in itself of course (and as always, he's throwing himself into the performance, literally, so yay for that). But for me the choreography lacks precision and refinement, and it's also not very um... 'customised' for the music. But of course, very few programs are, since it's incredibly difficult to be original. And not many skaters have access to great choreographers, especially at the Junior level (which is not to say, that a less popular or little-known choreographer can't come up with something great and unique, or that reputable ones always deliver, but I'd still assume that in general you'll find more generic, run-of-the-mill choreography among lower level skaters' programs).
i was gonna say, Kevin's choreo has grown by leaps and bounds since he did Nemesis :p
 

1111bm

Final Flight
Joined
Dec 31, 2016
i was gonna say, Kevin's choreo has grown by leaps and bounds since he did Nemesis :p

I think in terms of content and style it hasn't changed at all actually, he reminds me a bit of Keegan, in that he has a very characteristic style that he doesn't really deviate from (although he's added in several new, cool moves, like that side aerial and his signature slide). But his execution is so much better nowadays, much more controlled and fluid, where his old performances used to have a pretty disjointed feeling to them.

Speaking of old programs, I keep going back to Mamamiia's recordings of Nathan at Sun Valley or that Winter Extravaganza appearance, that he did.
@Mamamiia, I can't thank you enough for capturing those performances and the practice sessions! :luv17: The picture quality is fantastic and it feels much more real, than any of the official broadcasts. Almost like we, as viewers, are there in person.
Makes it all the more painful, that Sun Valley was cancelled (not that I expected anything else) and we won't have the chance to get any footage this year. His skating is always so casual and relaxed when he's there, it's really looking the best when he's just out there, practising in a T-Shirt and sweatpants and not caring too much.
 

sheetz

Record Breaker
Joined
Jan 10, 2015
New Raf interview.
https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...re-athletes-who-always-push-the-sport.107225/

An excerpt:
EV: Every time a Russian single lady leaves a team your name is voiced as a potential coach. Were you in any way involved with Trusova's swithc?
RA: I am always in a way involved. The athletes get in touch quite often, the Russians as well. But taking what I said before I try to get out from some of the offers - I don't want to be involved in any way. When I start working with an athlete I ask everything: how and where the kid grew up, what are his goals, how is he used to train. If I can figure how to work with a foreign pupil I can't really understand how to work with a Russian athlete and their parents. They grew up in a different conditions, where the ice time was free, there was a coaching group who were mending them from the morning till the evening, just like I was when I lived in Russia. Now with Nathan Chen we are more equal partners.
....
 
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luckyu2

On the Ice
Joined
Feb 14, 2018
So sounds like Nathan has decided to focus on skating full time. Good news!
Hopefully he adapts well to the rule change. It’s an awkward timing to change things around 1 season before Olympics when the world is going through a pandemic.
 

shine

Record Breaker
Joined
Jul 27, 2003
Can’t wait to hear what Raf has to say about the rule change. Too bad this interview was probably done right before that :p
 
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