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Flight #5342: I Will Remember You
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Skate America Men's SP article with quotes from Nathan, Vincent & Jimmy Ma (in 3rd!
): https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2021/10/23/nathan-chen-fourth-skate-america-vincent-zhou-skating/

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Jimmy's quote from the mixed zone after his SP: https://twitter.com/AnythingGOE/status/1451746149375913991Here's a new story about Jimmy Ma by @Jayar:
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Ma Earns Birthday Trip to Las Vegas - U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone
When Jimmy Ma woke up last Monday, it was already a special day for the seven-time U.S. Championships competitor. Ma had just completed another trip around the sun,usfigureskatingfanzone.com
Ma reveals that he's working on a quad flip and may include it in his FS later in the season.
“Those are the kind of programs I’d like to start consistently putting out. It’s what i've been doing in practice and I’m finally glad that with this team behind me I can show people, I’m not just saying it but this is what I can do in practice.”
He added that his goal is to make it to a championship event this season, but it doesn’t matter which one.
I don’t after watching them live. I do think Nathan Chen needs to rethink that short program and he doesn’t really have the command over the ice I’d expect for a multi-time world champion. His skating has a very rushed quality like he’s chasing something all of the time and he does the same “hip hop” moves in all of his programs.I prefer Jimmy Ma's skating over Nathan and Vincent....
Nathan was definitely off from the beginning. He even looked lost finding he starting position or searching the ice for foreign objects. I couldn't tell exactly what he was doing before he started. I think the original program in 2018 was much better, this one just feels wrong because the singing in the first piece just sounds like wailing. It is a very interesting choice to use part of the same music that you had several mistakes in the biggest event of your life. I'm very interested to see the long. As far as "hip hop" moves in all of his programs that just blanket inaccurate statement.I don’t after watching them live. I do think Nathan Chen needs to rethink that short program and he doesn’t really have the command over the ice I’d expect for a multi-time world champion. His skating has a very rushed quality like he’s chasing something all of the time and he does the same “hip hop” moves in all of his programs.
His charisma is amazing, and it was fantastic to see that together with the technical side coming together. It was a wonderful skate.I prefer Jimmy Ma's skating over Nathan and Vincent....
He's not the first person to do this, but skaters will try to capitalize on a previously praised program by doing an inferior version of it. It frustrates me. He's capable of far more in the SP. (As evidenced by the original Nemesis program.)Nathan was definitely off from the beginning. He even looked lost finding he starting position or searching the ice for foreign objects. I couldn't tell exactly what he was doing before he started. I think the original program in 2018 was much better, this one just feels wrong because the singing in the first piece just sounds like wailing.
Yes I thought maybe they thought to change the beginning with the jumping passes because that is where the problems were at the Olympics but it doesn't flow for me now. I hope it reworked or dropped.He's not the first person to do this, but skaters will try to capitalize on a previously praised program by doing an inferior version of it. It frustrates me. He's capable of far more in the SP. (As evidenced by the original Nemesis program.)
Yes, in 2013 Vincent won the Jr title while Nathan took bronze. That was the first time I saw Vincent.What an amazing men's event at Skate America! A huge standing ovation to Vincent on finally winning over Nathan. Although didn't he win at nationals over him many years ago-- novice maybe? It's funny that Jimmy Ma used to tower over them when they were kids. This is going to be an exciting road to the Olympics!
Vincent is not my ideal skater, but if he lands that many quads then I'll overlook it. He just seems to me in his performance ability that he skates like he would be really promising if this was his first year out of Juniors. He's working on his spins, extensions to a fully "Senior" level. But senior for four years? I expect more, honestly. As for his SP, I don't know whether to think that his skating to "Vincent" is sweet/quaint or tacky/cheesy. I personally couldn't imagine skating to a song with my name without wanting to stick my finger down my throat.. lol. Is anyone else conflicted by his choice of music? (This is not a bash on him. I think he just signed his ticket to Beijing, deservedly, and I'm happy for him. I see no other possible Oly team than Nathan, Vincent, and Jason. And I like it that way.)As for Vincent, well done on winning the short. He's a whiz technically, but lacking in interpretation IMO. He bugs me from the waist up - he never seems to know what to do with his arms. Surely that is a soluble problem! And he often seems to be overdoing the emotion, looking like he's about to cry. Most of the interpretation should be done by the body!
Part of me is glad that Nathan now knows he is not invincible because he has a few weeks and months to correct things that popped out.Thinking about Nathan, I am a little bit worried. He has seemed invincible for nearly four years which I know few,if any, others have ever achieved in the sport of figure skating. But he was rattled by the Olympics last time around. I hope all the pressure is not causing him to have a case of the twisties. I had expected him to have his programs completely worked out by now and to be his best programs ever. I do see many similar moves from previous programs. And I agree with others about the vocal music part of his short program. As to the free, he said in an interview they are still deciding on how much of the hip hop music portion to balance with the rest. And he seemed kind of unsure of his starting position on the ice in both programs I believe. Just surprising to not be farther along.
He has always been such a humble self-effacing guy. Sometimes I’d like him to have a bit of swagger….just a little. Look up more instead of down at the ice so much. Pay more attention to posture again. That said, I think I will like his free when he performs it full out. Love Mozart! And That hip hop step/choreographic sequence is epic. Not any of the ice dancers are doing hip hop style in the rhythm dance as well as Nathan!
Me too. But I think the best thing from this result at SkAm is that he will probably now go "ALL NATHAN" in his training and performances and be virtually impossible to beat. He has a champion mindset. I'm not worried.Part of me is glad that Nathan now knows he is not invincible because now he has a few weeks and months to correct things that popped out.
Thinking about Nathan, I am a little bit worried. He has seemed invincible for nearly four years which I know few,if any, others have ever achieved in the sport of figure skating. But he was rattled by the Olympics last time around. I hope all the pressure is not causing him to have a case of the twisties.
I agree. Tara really didn't know muh about skating, other than she could do it. Johnny is smart, knows the sport. Doesn't really need the dressing up to keep our attention.( I didn't miss Tara's commentary at all. Weir was good with just Gannon.)
LOL. I thought the same thing re the comment about Kwan in 2001. Nathan reminds me of the Kween: Generally unflappable, except with anything re the Olympics (hopefully that proves to be false). I do think a big difference is like you said, he's not going to do anything crazy like leave Rafael. I honestly think MK would've won in 2002 if she just followed FC's advice and kept the programs simple and clean. In the end, her 2002 Nationals performance would've won OGM in SLC. Enough about the Kween.Congrats to Vincent. He's definitely on a mission this year and has the determination, talent and ability to pull it off. He won't pull off wins at every competition, but what he has done this year with his skating is very admirable.
Does the result of the men at SA reminds anyone a little bit of Sarah Hughes winning SC over MK and Irina in 2001 ? Hmm.... Well, at least we know Nathan won't be going coach-less for Beijing, LOL. I'm sure he'll rebound, but the question will be what type of changes he and his team need to make to their strategy between now and the Games. Nathan won't be able to change much for SC next week.
( I didn't miss Tara's commentary at all. Weir was good with just Gannon.)
I thought of the Sarah victory over Michelle and Irina also. Sarah had the advantage of beating both of them at the same competition, which can only happen for Vincent if he, Nathan and Hanyu all skate at the GPF.Congrats to Vincent. He's definitely on a mission this year and has the determination, talent and ability to pull it off. He won't pull off wins at every competition, but what he has done this year with his skating is very admirable.
Does the result of the men at SA reminds anyone a little bit of Sarah Hughes winning SC over MK and Irina in 2001 ? Hmm.... Well, at least we know Nathan won't be going coach-less for Beijing, LOL. I'm sure he'll rebound, but the question will be what type of changes he and his team need to make to their strategy between now and the Games. Nathan won't be able to change much for SC next week.
( I didn't miss Tara's commentary at all. Weir was good with just Gannon.)