Nathan Chen (#Slaythan Fans) thread

[skatesindreams]

He made it look so easy too!

The ease Nathan brings to even the most difficult elements sets him apart from others.
It's a very special gift; a joy to see.

 

[Firedancer]

Yes, and he made it look so easy too! He sure put to rest all those doubts about whether he could do both skating and Yale. That look of pride on Raf's face was everything.

I don’t think I have ever seen Raf that happy and excited. Nathan should be very proud of what he has accomplished this year.

 

[Firedancer]

Olympic Channel interview with Nathan:
https://www.olympicchannel.com/en/v...prexclusive-have-felt-the-most-at-ease-in-my/

 

[A.H.Black]

https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/nathan-chen-slaythan-fans-thread.97713/

Could someone who knows Russian please translate generally what was said following the program - especially by the male commentator. Tarasova was effusive, but the man seemed to be genuinely choked up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYQWeyoOvoQ Love Scott's comments about Nathan's skating - although it wasn't 34 points.

One of my favorite parts of watching Nathan skate are his hands - always relaxed, never strained, always in great "position"

My greatest concern about Nathan, these days, is he seems to get sick way too often. Thank Heavens this year it happened between Nationals and Worlds and not during.

 

[Dobre]

I can't. But I liked what the Spanish commentator said prior to Nathan's SP. "Una cabeza formidable," means he has "a formidable head" aka a formidable competitive mindset. Nathan sure backed up that statement here.

 

[Firedancer]

Nathan’s new exhibition program (including a Nemesis encore):
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=C4qCmgHHy3A

 

[livetoskate]

What Nathan did was amazing. He was essentially training alone and mostly coaching himself while juggling a regular courseload at Yale. I remember what it was like in college, with so many distractions and new things to adjust to being on your own. I remember gaining weight from the all you can eat cafeterias and socializing, and the temptation to sleep in because no one cared if you skipped class-- it was all on you. But somehow, Nathan had the drive and incredible self-motivation to see through and plan/execute everything. Practicing and exercising alone, driving alone to another rink to practice some more before going back to study. I can't believe it! Remember Kevin Shum's mind boggling essay about juggling MIT with skating, and he had his coaches there to hold him accountable. Nathan is the king and such a role model to all!

 

[sk9tingfan]

What Nathan did was amazing. He was essentially training alone and mostly coaching himself while juggling a regular courseload at Yale. I remember what it was like in college, with so many distractions and new things to adjust to being on your own. I remember gaining weight from the all you can eat cafeterias and socializing, and the temptation to sleep in because no one cared if you skipped class-- it was all on you. But somehow, Nathan had the drive and incredible self-motivation to see through and plan/execute everything. Practicing and exercising alone, driving alone to another rink to practice some more before going back to study. I can't believe it! Remember Kevin Shum's mind boggling essay about juggling MIT with skating, and he had his coaches there to hold him accountable. Nathan is the king and such a role model to all!

The guys from British Eurosport agree with your assessment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8cc6UYdEIg

 

[sk9tingfan]

Nathan’s new exhibition program (including a Nemesis encore):
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=C4qCmgHHy3A

The guys from British Eurosport agree with your assessment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8cc6UYdEIg

Absolutely sick!

 

[Marco]

What Nathan did was amazing. He was essentially training alone and mostly coaching himself while juggling a regular courseload at Yale. I remember what it was like in college, with so many distractions and new things to adjust to being on your own. I remember gaining weight from the all you can eat cafeterias and socializing, and the temptation to sleep in because no one cared if you skipped class-- it was all on you. But somehow, Nathan had the drive and incredible self-motivation to see through and plan/execute everything. Practicing and exercising alone, driving alone to another rink to practice some more before going back to study. I can't believe it! Remember Kevin Shum's mind boggling essay about juggling MIT with skating, and he had his coaches there to hold him accountable. Nathan is the king and such a role model to all!

This is awesome. But Raf also deserves credit. According to rockerskating, Nathan's jumps weren't nearly as solid as in the free skate at the start of the week. They really worked together to refine them during the limited time they had.

I also haven't seen Raf so happy for a long time - both Michal Brezina and he made Raf so happy, which is so tough given the week he had with the ladies.

 

[jlai]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYQWeyoOvoQ Love Scott's comments about Nathan's skating - although it wasn't 34 points.

Not 34 points, and it's not Hanyu's hometown either. Hanyu's hometown is Sendai?

 

[IceAlisa]

Hanyu's hometown is Sendai?

Yes

 

[mtnskater]

Nathan’s exhibition programs were truly amazing to me. He is really letting the performer out, doing more difficult choreography and gets more down in his knees than in competition. I felt his artistic impression actually surpassed Hanyu this Worlds, which I never thought I’d see. Can he still improve...absolutely (so can Hanyu). If you haven’t watched his exhibition skates take the time to do so!

 

[skatesindreams]

Nathan’s new exhibition program (including a Nemesis encore):
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=C4qCmgHHy3A

His technique, artistry and expression are amazing.

 

[Sylvia]

Ari Zakarian filmed some clips of Coach Rafael on the sidelines during Worlds - here's the end of Nathan's FS: https://www.instagram.com/p/BvWcLlBn10I/

 

[Wyliefan]

Who knew Raf had that in him?

 

[Sylvia]

Phil Hersh communicated with Kurt Browning, Brian Boitano, Shae-Lynn Bourne, Rafael Arutunian and Nathan briefly for this article: https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2019...-matches-standard-for-transcendent-greatness/
Excerpt:

Even as he noted it was a great feeling to win against “a full roster this time,” Chen sees the meaning of the second title in a more nuanced way than simply for having taken the top spot from Hanyu.
“We’re in completely different (places) in skating,” Chen said. “He has accomplished so, so much. It’s not like I’m trying to take over what he has started. I want to respect everything he has done in the sport and for the sport.
“I’m in the generation below him. He’s always been a person for me to look up to, for me to try to close the gap to be close to him. It’s a little foreign for me to be in this position. At the same time, I have put in the work to be in this position.”

 

[Jislav]

I was not a big fan of Nathan when he first won his national title 3 seasons ago. I found his program to be very empty at that moment. Last year, I started being a fan of him, especially because of his very cool short program. However, I still think his free program was kind of boring.

This year, WOW! I clearly became a real fan of him. I LOVED both programs. I love the maturity he got and he clearly improved his performance quality.

His programs in Saitama were awesome and that exhibition number is very good as well.

 

[shine]

Nathan’s exhibition programs were truly amazing to me. He is really letting the performer out, doing more difficult choreography and gets more down in his knees than in competition. I felt his artistic impression actually surpassed Hanyu this Worlds, which I never thought I’d see. Can he still improve...absolutely (so can Hanyu). If you haven’t watched his exhibition skates take the time to do so!

I never doubted that his artistic expression could surpass....a lot of people. One only has to watch some of his junior programs. I firmly believe that if he didn't have to focus so much on the quads, he would be one of the most artistic skaters skating today. His Chopin program from 2015 is one my favourite programs, of anyone, ever. Incredible sensitivity and depth especially for someone so young. It also speaks to the sheer range in the types of music he's able to interpret - and I've always believed that versatility is one key quality to all great artists.

 

[Japanfan]

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/17/sports/nathan-chen-yale.html

Arutyunyan

That kind of mistake got you in serious trouble at the journalism school I attended. Bad error on the part of the author, totally unacceptable.

 

[Red Hot Chili Keegan]

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/17/sports/nathan-chen-yale.html



That kind of mistake got you in serious trouble at the journalism school I attended. Bad error on the part of the author, totally unacceptable.

Where I come from, not knowing about different Russian transliteration would get you in serious trouble. Bad error on your part, totally unacceptable. You should be in the slammer with Tonia and Maryah Bell.

 

[Fiero425]

Where I come from, not knowing about different Russian transliteration would get you in serious trouble. Bad error on your part, totally unacceptable. You should be in the slammer with Tonia and Maryah Bell.

So you think Bell actually is a bully? We know these silly "prima donnas" are spoiled rotten; just didn't think any would do something as stupid as get busted on video picking on another skater! Lucky the IFSA's blowing it all off!

 

[nylynnr]

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/17/sports/nathan-chen-yale.html That kind of mistake got you in serious trouble at the journalism school I attended. Bad error on the part of the author, totally unacceptable.

That is Raf's preferred spelling, although some publications/news sites use, or used, the Americanized Arutunian. I am certain Karen Crouse checked.

 

[meggonzo]

Lucky the IFSA's blowing it all off

What is the IFSA?

 

[Spun Silver]

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/17/sports/nathan-chen-yale.html



That kind of mistake got you in serious trouble at the journalism school I attended. Bad erro on the part of the author, totally unacceptable.

I think you would have to know Russian or Armenian to make that call. I know nothing about Armenian but both it and Russian have whole different alphabets. Raf's real name is in one of those alphabets, not English. Transliterations vary. Eg, Aliona vs Aljona, Julia vs Yulia, Tatyana vs Tatiana, Zoueva vs Zueva, etc. Just compare different translations of Russian novels. Individuals may choose one English spelling, but that doesn't mean there aren't others that are acceptable.

 

[Fiero425]

What is the IFSA?

Sorry, just assumed it would stand for "Int'l Figure Skating Assoc.!" I should've checked before posting! S/B "ISU!"

 

[Tomma]

https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/nathan-chen-slaythan-fans-thread.97713/

Could someone who knows Russian please translate generally what was said following the program - especially by the male commentator. Tarasova was effusive, but the man seemed to be genuinely choked up.

Male commentator is Yagudin. Sorry, my English is not very good, but here it is.

TAT: Bravo! And the audience gets up again, just jumps out, despite the fact that he is American, and not Japanese. It was just fantastic. It was fantastic. He had a huge margin in the short program ... Lesha here Yagudin cries and I can cry too, because these are guys, this is skating, this is the direction! This is a distance training, this is character. Rafik my God, I congratulate you.

Y: Rafael Arutyunyan, Nadezhda Kanaeva and of course he - Nathan Chen ... oh, how good that I finished skating, how good that we all finished skating. Now I remember the words of a journalist who asked me one question before the world: “Do Russians have a chance to take a place in the top three?”. Well, I don’t know a place in the top three, if you just ask the guys in the locker room to hold the medals. Oh...

TAT: You know nothing even to say. And what marks do they give him?

Y: Tatyana Anatolyevna, they give... if Yuzuru has 110 on his technique, he has 120 here!

TAT: He can’t be lower in technique, he has this high lutz and flip, Yuzuru has a loop...

Grishin (other commentator): The man put three combinations in the second part, he performed everything according to the max, Lz, F, T, A and combination with the quad in the second part.

TAT: Everything, everything! And like a guy so simple, in a T-shirt, as they say. The shirt has nerves drawn, which he holds in his fists. He studies at Yale University, trains remotely, cannot afford to rest for one day. Bravo!

Y: You know, in the cinema there are dramas, comedies, there are different genres, and there is a fantasy, this is a film that we have just watched - this is fantastic. 216 record after record! 323 points!

TAT: Oh, how lovely, how lovely is this men's single skating.

 

[Spun Silver]

Thank you, @Tomma!

 

[shine]

Male commentator is Yagudin. Sorry, my English is not very good, but here it is.

TAT: Bravo! And the audience gets up again, just jumps out, despite the fact that he is American, and not Japanese. It was just fantastic. It was fantastic. He had a huge margin in the short program ... Lesha here Yagudin cries and I can cry too, because these are guys, this is skating, this is the direction! This is a distance training, this is character. Rafik my God, I congratulate you.

Y: Rafael Arutyunyan, Nadezhda Kanaeva and of course he - Nathan Chen ... oh, how good that I finished skating, how good that we all finished skating. Now I remember the words of a journalist who asked me one question before the world: “Do Russians have a chance to take a place in the top three?”. Well, I don’t know a place in the top three, if you just ask the guys in the locker room to hold the medals. Oh...

TAT: You know nothing even to say. And what marks do they give him?

Y: Tatyana Anatolyevna, they give... if Yuzuru has 110 on his technique, he has 120 here!

TAT: He can’t be lower in technique, he has this high lutz and flip, Yuzuru has a loop...

Grishin (other commentator): The man put three combinations in the second part, he performed everything according to the max, Lz, F, T, A and combination with the quad in the second part.

TAT: Everything, everything! And like a guy so simple, in a T-shirt, as they say. The shirt has nerves drawn, which he holds in his fists. He studies at Yale University, trains remotely, cannot afford to rest for one day. Bravo!

Y: You know, in the cinema there are dramas, comedies, there are different genres, and there is a fantasy, this is a film that we have just watched - this is fantastic. 216 record after record! 323 points!

TAT: Oh, how lovely, how lovely is this men's single skating.

Thank you! TBH, they are not making a whole lot of sense, but I love it nonetheless.

 

[Tomma]

Thank you! TBH, they are not making a whole lot of sense, but I love it nonetheless.

LOL, most likely due to my translation. Like, for example, in “these are guys, this is skating”, you should read this as “wow, these guys, wow, this skating”. When Yagudin says that he is glad that he finished skating, he means that he is glad that he does not need to compete with Chen.