NATHAN MY HEART IS OVERFLOWING WITH JOY THANKS TO YOU
I did think he was going to likely slay after the final flight, save Jason, got real wonky with their jumps... very Worlds last year, you know. I'm so proud of him and his mega fluffy curls. Caravan was everything I could have asked for and more - and he looked like he had a BLAST :hap57:
I'd like to thank the Japanese broadcasters for being the first to actually properly film the beginning of that short program. All of the other broadcasters have always zoomed in too much, but this time you can see all of the choreography in it's fun flirty glory.
Chen: I'm very happy with my SP today. Even before I get into that, I want to say it's a huge honor to be up here with these two guys. I've competed against them many times and they keep pushing me to be a better skater.
Hanyu: I'm very honored to share the top 3 with Nathan and Jason. They are truly wonderful skaters.
Hanyu: As for Nathan, due to injury, it's the first time we've competed against each other this season. I'm really realizing how much fun it is to compete again Nathan. I hope we have more chances to compete with him going forward.
Chen: I like to tell myself that everything I've done, good or bad, stays in the past. Coming into this Worlds was no different than any other despite the success from last year. Of course, last year was missing this guy to my left who did amazing a few weeks before
Chen: It's been my fave season so far of competing. It's been reassuring that I can manage both school & elite competitive skating. It took me a while to figure out how to do both. School has been amazing for me, been able to develop my personality outside of skating
Chen: It's not my first time skating after Hanyu. The raining of the Pooh bears is an incredible sight to see. It's amazing thing - it's great to see the fans do this and try to make us feel happy. I have to focus on being mentally prepped.
Hanyu: It's a lot of fun to go against the very best in the sport because when I see skaters who are really superb, it gives me motivation. When I saw Nathan's performance at US Nationals, I thought that's the kind of program I am striving to beat, so it pushed me.
Chen: it kind of changed my plans. I had the flu right after Nat;s, then I had a lingering cough for a month & then I got an infection from that. I took antibiotics and I'm fine now. But I didn't want to get other people sick so I cancelled my trips to Montreal & CA
For those concerned about his food, eating:
Chen: I live in the dorms (6pp in my suite incl me). Acura has been gracious enough to lend me a car for a yr. I eat in the dining hall - food is actually awesome. I mostly train on-campus, sometimes offcampus & there are coaches who help w video for FaceTime [w Raf]
Chen: It's good to be surrounded by conversations outside skating, about things that are globally important, things like climate change. I'm still undecided right now - I'm leaning toward statistics but that might change. I'm having a great time in school
Chen: Both rinks are very warm - all of the skaters have to get used to it; it's a bit softer. The magnitude of the main rink is a bit overwhelming at first because it's so big. The ice quality in Japan is always amazing.
He only has the car for a year? But I think he kind of implied that he had bought one, and his mom as well. But that's probably for the best if he has spend the summer in California. Then they can just loan him another one next year if he needs it.