U.S. Men 2021-22 season news & updates

[skatfan]

You keep telling yourself that. With the way the top 10 skated last night, I'm quite positive that Ilia would have easily been the 2nd highest US man last night had he skated the same as in Nashville.

But it is very doubtful for an overall finish. He would have been buried in an early group for the SP, maybe eeked into the 3rd group for the FS.

 

[Firedancer]

Nathan is having a press conference right now and Jackie Wong is live tweeting it:
https://twitter.com/rockerskating/status/1491987159301173248?cxt=HHwWgMC5-dOazbQpAAAA

Jason had a press conference right before:
https://twitter.com/rockerskating/status/1491978421898985473?cxt=HHwWgoCynYmeybQpAAAA

 

[Karen-W]

But it is very doubtful for an overall finish. He would have been buried in an early group for the SP, maybe eeked into the 3rd group for the FS.

He wouldn't have been in any worse of a position than Vincent was in the SP draw. Choreographically, his SP this season is a stronger/more complete program than his FS. He wouldn't have scored 100 going that early, but I think a 2 quad SP would have slotted him between Jin (who skated 5th in the SP) and Siao Him Fa (who skated 15th in the SP) - so he would have probably wound up somewhere between 12th & 14th. And, then in the FS, I think he would have vaulted up the standings given the number of messy skates we saw, especially in that penultimate group.

 

[Rukia]

Nathan is having a press conference right now and Jackie Wong is live tweeting it:
https://twitter.com/rockerskating/status/1491987159301173248?cxt=HHwWgMC5-dOazbQpAAAA

I appreciate how much Nathan is trying to look out for Vincent too. He wants Vincent to get to attend a medal ceremony, and he mentioned later really wanting to get in touch with Vincent (Nathan's been having phone issues). Very, very nice to see that kind of comradery.

 

[clairecloutier]

Phil Hersh tweeted that Nathan is TBD on Worlds. Jason is first alternate but is also unsure if he would participate:

https://twitter.com/olyphil/status/1491992765181403140

 

[skatingguy]

Phil Hersh tweeted that Nathan is TBD on Worlds. Jadon is first alternate but is also unsure if he would participate:

https://twitter.com/olyphil/status/1491992765181403140

Whose Jadon?

 

[clairecloutier]

Whose Jadon?

Jason. ? I fixed it.

 

[lurkz2]

I worry about the 3 spots if Nathan doesn't do Worlds.

 

[skatfan]

He wouldn't have been in any worse of a position than Vincent was in the SP draw. Choreographically, his SP this season is a stronger/more complete program than his FS. He wouldn't have scored 100 going that early, but I think a 2 quad SP would have slotted him between Jin (who skated 5th in the SP) and Siao Him Fa (who skated 15th in the SP) - so he would have probably wound up somewhere between 12th & 14th. And, then in the FS, I think he would have vaulted up the standings given the number of messy skates we saw, especially in that penultimate group.

Vincent would been competing at his second Olympics individual event and as a former bronze medal winner at Worlds. Not the same as someone who hadn’t even competed in the Senior GP.

But dream on because you can always play the version you like in your own mind.

 

[mtnskater]

Raf said in his interview that he would advise Nathan to go to college and not to Worlds. I hope Nathan doesn’t listen to him

 

[skatfan]

I worry about the 3 spots if Nathan doesn't do Worlds.

If Nathan doesn’t go, @Karen-W assures us that Ilia will be top 5 so we’re good

 

[VGThuy]

I mean he’s not going to college right this minute. He can still go to worlds and then go back to college.

 

[Firedancer]

I really hope Nathan doesn’t listen too

 

[mtnskater]

Nathan needs to make up for the world title he would have had if Montreal weren’t canceled

 

[skatfan]

Nathan needs to make up for the world title he would have had if Montreal weren’t canceled

I would love for him to beat Scott Hamilton’s four titles as a US man.

 

[Willin]

Raf said in his interview that he would advise Nathan to go to college and not to Worlds. I hope Nathan doesn’t listen to him

I don't even think it would be possible for him to return this semester even if he wanted to. Classes have long since started.

 

[tony]

I would love for him to beat Scott Hamilton’s four titles as a US man.

I don't see him sticking around to beat that. It's probably a big ask motivation-wise to go to Worlds this year to tie it with all the press he will get, and I certainly don't see him showing up in the future.

 

[Karen-W]

Vincent would been competing at his second Olympics individual event and as a former bronze medal winner at Worlds. Not the same as someone who hadn’t even competed in the Senior GP.

But dream on because you can always play the version you like in your own mind.

You think that a ~90 score in the SP coupled with a ~200 score is unlikely. I disagree. I think there's a huge difference competing in the Olympics when you have no pressure and no expectation because you're in your first senior season and all eyes are on your countryman who is the defending, 3-time World champion. Vincent finished 6th in his first Olympics with no pressure. Given the way the men skated in the FS and looking at what Ilia delivered at Nationals in the FS, it's not unreasonable to think he could have beaten Jason once again, and possibly Cha.

If Nathan doesn’t go, @Karen-W assures us that Ilia will be top 5 so we’re good

That's not what I said nor is it something I believe. I don't like putting that sort of responsibility on the shoulders of a skater competing at his first senior Worlds - part of what contributed to Kagiyama's success at Worlds last year was that he came in as the #3 Japanese man with no expectations to carry the weight of assuring Japan's three spots for the following season. I'd rather send two seasoned competitors along with the newbie and let Ilia just soak it in with no pressure - and see where he manages to finish. Again, depending on which skaters show up and how they skate, I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility to think he could finish much higher than the high-teens finish you've clearly lined up for him.

 

[skatfan]

I don't see him sticking around to beat that. It's probably a big ask motivation-wise to go to Worlds this year to tie it with all the press he will get, and I certainly don't see him showing up in the future.

Sadly I think you’re right.

 

[CantALoop]

USFS posted a compilation of past US figure skating OGMs congratulating Nathan on their Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CZ0JRjrJLa8/

They also saved one of their best for last - I was genuinely surprised and touched by their appearance

 

[skatfan]

You think that a ~90 score in the SP coupled with a ~200 score is unlikely. I disagree. I think there's a huge difference competing in the Olympics when you have no pressure and no expectation because you're in your first senior season and all eyes are on your countryman who is the defending, 3-time World champion. Vincent finished 6th in his first Olympics with no pressure. Given the way the men skated in the FS and looking at what Ilia delivered at Nationals in the FS, it's not unreasonable to think he could have beaten Jason once again, and possibly Cha.

That's not what I said nor is it something I believe. I don't like putting that sort of responsibility on the shoulders of a skater competing at his first senior Worlds - part of what contributed to Kagiyama's success at Worlds last year was that he came in as the #3 Japanese man with no expectations to carry the weight of assuring Japan's three spots for the following season. I'd rather send two seasoned competitors along with the newbie and let Ilia just soak it in with no pressure - and see where he manages to finish. Again, depending on which skaters show up and how they skate, I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility to think he could finish much higher than the high-teens finish you've clearly lined up for him.

First, chill out a little. I know we’re all on edge with RUSADA and all.

Second, if you can’t take the in my post as an indication of a little joke, I can’t help you.

I do think Ilia probably can do better at worlds than the Olympics because three of the top six are unlikely to be there: Nathan, Yuzuru and of course Jason. Others may pass.

 

[Frau Muller]

Amazing video of past US gold medalists welcoming Nathan to the club

U.S. Figure Skating on Instagram: "Nathan, welcome to the gold medal club ?? @nathanwchen x #WinterOlympics"

11K likes, 137 comments - usfigureskating on February 10, 2022: "Nathan, welcome to the gold medal club ?? @nathanwchen x #WinterOlympics".

www.instagram.com

OMG, this is extraordinary!!! What a film, with ALL of the fabulous US Olympic Gold medalists, across all disciplines…going backwards in time, culminating in DICK BUTTON!!! FIRST RATE! WOWIE ZOWIE! ? ? ?

 

[Karen-W]

First, chill out a little. I know we’re all on edge with RUSADA and all.

Second, if you can’t take the in my post as an indication of a little joke, I can’t help you.

I do think Ilia probably can do better at worlds than the Olympics because three of the top six are unlikely to be there: Nathan, Yuzuru and of course Jason. Others may pass.

LOL! Fair, I did mis-interpret the and you're right, I've been on edge all day (truly stupid co-workers) plus not enough sleep.

I don't think he would have fared any worse at the Olympics than the guys who were within 2 points of each other for 4th-6th. It's one of those situations we've all seen where PCS miraculously rises after a fabulous SP from a newcomer. I'll grant you that he wouldn't have come anywhere close to the 103+ he scored at Nats for his SP, and he probably would have been beaten by Jason because the judges were crazy with the GOE & PCS for Jason (and "Sinnerman" really is a masterpiece). But, I do think he would have maybe snuck into the top 10-12 and that would have set him up nicely to jump up the standings if he went clean with 4 quads in the FS.

I actually think that Jason will be at Worlds if Nathan passes. I think he understands that he sort of owes the USFS by showing up and competing at Worlds if Nathan passes, given that they gave him the Olympics spot this year.

 

[Rukia]

LOL! Fair, I did mis-interpret the and you're right, I've been on edge all day (truly stupid co-workers) plus not enough sleep.

I think we all need some questionable legal substances at this point

 

[SkateFanBerlin]

That is... WOW. So amazing. That has me tearing up to see all of our figure skating champions congratulating Nathan that way, even the original GOAT Dick Button!

mistake

 

[SkateFanBerlin]

Loved the gold club instagram. Two questions. Why has no one told Tara to thin out the eyebrows? How many facelifts has Carol Heiss Jenkins had?

 

[Wyliefan]

I don't even think it would be possible for him to return this semester even if he wanted to. Classes have long since started.

Right, Nathan said he was going back to college in August.

 

[Trillian]

I actually think that Jason will be at Worlds if Nathan passes. I think he understands that he sort of owes the USFS by showing up and competing at Worlds if Nathan passes, given that they gave him the Olympics spot this year.

He doesn’t “owe” USFS anything for being on the Olympic team except working his hardest to deliver at the Olympics, which he clearly did. Jason’s done more than enough for USFS over the years. I wouldn’t be surprised if he skips worlds. Maybe he’ll go, but he seems like one who’s been so hyper-focused on the Olympics that he’s going to need a minute.

ETA: They didn’t “give” Jason an Olympic spot. He earned it. They had two skaters who met the group three criteria they laid out, and they picked one. This framing of Jason who was gifted something he didn’t deserve and therefore should be grateful is old and tired and it’s time to let it go.

I’m not that worried about three spots with Vincent and Ilia in the mix, as long as Ilia gets his tech minimum. And frankly, a year with only two spots isn’t the end of the world. If all three Olympians are out next season, we’ll be in a little bit of a building phase anyway.

 

[SkateFanBerlin]

I think Nathan will call it quits. He's a smart guy who probably planning a big career - doctor, lawyer, professor, etc. He's been competing 6 years with his bread and butter being quads. Centrifugal force as well as splats can be hard on the brain. No sense risking it - he's won everything.

 

[LeafOnTheWind]

ETA: They didn’t “give” Jason an Olympic spot. He earned it. They had two skaters who met the group three criteria they laid out, and they picked one. This framing of Jason who was gifted something he didn’t deserve and therefore should be grateful is old and tired and it’s time to let it go.

Having 2 skaters with the same criteria and picking Jason is the very definition of giving him the spot. It doesn't mean he was undeserved but he was given it. I don't see anything wrong with continuing to say he was given the spot. It's exactly what happened.