Patrick Chan in Helsinki, 2016. (Photo: Sari Niskanen / Source: http://www.helsinki2017.com/media)
It is hard to believe that the 2016-2017 season which started in Finland for Patrick will now come to a close in the same country. Our Blackbird has had a tumultuous journey to date, trying to scale heights he had never tried before. From sublime programs to disastrous jump attempts, he’s done it all and yet still managed to place in the top five in each of his competitive events this season. Now, with the competitive terrain becoming so much more difficult, I have faith that he can yet “take these broken wings and learn to fly”!
After the Four Continents Championship, Patrick has been staying busy with various charity and skating promotional activities. He even replied to me on Twitter! Below is a summary of what’s happened since Gangneung:
Patrick conducted a sold-out skating clinic in Windsor, Ontario, with coaches Marina Zoueva and Johnny Johns. Fifty young skaters practiced and learned from Patrick as he demonstrated spins and other skating moves. Not bad, considering that days before there were still 10 spots open:
Only 10 spots left for this event…Patrick Chan, THE Patrick Chan, will be on hand coaching and mentoring. email… https://t.co/pRJHtIymPY
Reporter: Patrick Chan says he encourages all young skaters not to forget to have fun while on the ice.
Patrick: I didn’t expect to be where I am… at this level in figure skating at their age. I was just going out and having fun challenging myself everyday, trying to do something difficult like skating… or tennis, or golf. I think that’s the importance of sport, in general… not to necessarily go and be the best ever in the world. It’s more than just that.
Patrick went into the free skate in fifth place after the short program, just like last year. And just like last year, he bested Boyang Jin by less than a point, but then missed the podium and ended up in fourth. Had he skated and scored the way he did at Canadian nationals, he would have gotten the bronze. Nevertheless, his excellent program components score (PCS) was second only to Yuzuru Hanyu by less than two points, and I greatly respect him attempting all three quads in his program under such difficult competitive circumstances. Now, onward and upward!
Patrick sits in fifth place after the short program, just like last year. But the power and smoothness of his skating and his art on ice did not go unnoticed by his international fans!
Our Blackbird has flown to the other side of the Pacific Ocean for the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships (4CC) in Gangneung, South Korea. This time, defending champion Patrick is up against some of the top jumpers in the world in what promises to be a quad-intensive competition!
Patrick Chan practicing his short program for Canadian Nationals. (Source: YouTube)
Our beloved skater has gone into hiding to focus on preparing for his upcoming competition in Korea, no doubt. Meanwhile, here’s a compilation of news and sightings since the end of January.
Patrick Takes Another Pic with His Rink Mates
Patrick wore his red sweater and his new Nike training pants for this photo taken with Alex and Maia Shibutani at the Arctic Edge Ice Arena in Canton. I love how they posed in front of the U.S. and Canadian flags!
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