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

[lurkz2]

Jason definitely seems ready for a break - he posted an IG story earlier today with his family hitting the slopes at Mammoth Mountain. I really think the Olympics was his final bow on competitive ice. I'm not 100% convinced that Nathan is done, but, like Vincent, I don't expect to see him competing again until 2024 at the earliest - two years to finish his undergrad at Yale, right?

FWIW Nathan seems to be back on the ice today

https://twitter.com/zq200709/status/1497707799060660226?s=20&t=F1qi_RDqV6QVWRXVKMfDcQ

 

[Jarrett]

The post you quoted said -- "but his score at Challenge Cup was 20 points below what Jason got at the Olympics with no quad" -- and compared his total Challenge Cup Score (260.69) as being 20 points below Brown's total score at the Olympics (281.24). Malinin's total at Challenge Cup included four quad attempts in the FS.

Malinin's SP score at Challenge Cup was ~12 points, not 20 points less, than Brown's in Beijing. Brown's FS quadless FS score in Beijing (with the singled Salchow) was ~8 points higher than Malinin's four-quad FS at Challenge Cup.

Why are we comparing different skaters scores at different competitions with different judges/callers in the first place? Seems like a lot of variables.

 

[kwanfan1818]

Because where there hasn't been about how the judging/calling is severely out-of-whack at one competition, and the differences are that great, they are an indication of how the judges and technical panels evaluate skaters comparatively?

 

[Jarrett]

Because where there hasn't been about how the judging/calling is severely out-of-whack at one competition, and the differences are that great, they are an indication of how the judges and technical panels evaluate skaters comparatively?

I think it is pretty clear the some judges just flip a coin and put something down at this point.

 

[BittyBug]

Also who cares? Brown appears to be done so he is unlikely to go head to head with Malinin again.

 

[kwanfan1818]

FWIW Nathan seems to be back on the ice today

https://twitter.com/zq200709/status/1497707799060660226?s=20&t=F1qi_RDqV6QVWRXVKMfDcQ

I haven't seen an update to Publication 2368, at which time the prize money for Worlds singles was raised to:

Place

1. US$ 64’000.--​

2. US$ 47’000.--​

3. US$ 33’000.--​

4. US$ 19’000.--​

5. US$ 11’000.--​

6. US$ 8’000.--​

Anything on the podium will pay for at least a semester at Yale.

 

[Wyliefan]

I don't think Nathan is hurting for money.

 

[Karen-W]

I don't think Nathan is hurting for money.

No doubt, but what's it hurt to train for a few more weeks and show up at Worlds to win some prize money that pays for a semester?

 

[haribobo]

One could just say, congratulations to Ilia for a 38 point increase from his first senior intl to his second. He is clearly a skater on the rise! 260 is a very nice score.

 

[Karen-W]

One could just say, congratulations to Ilia for a 38 point increase from his first senior intl to his second. He is clearly a skater on the rise! 260 is a very nice score.

It is! Better than any of our other US men outside of Nathan, Vincent and Jason this season by a considerable amount.

 

[Allskate]

I don't think Nathan is hurting for money.

True. And after the leadup to the Olympics, the Olympics itself, and his schedule since returning from the Olympics, he must be sorely in need of a long nap. I wouldn't be at all surprised if he decides not to go to Worlds. Emotionally and physically, it's hard to beat what he just did in Beijing. Raf doesn't see the point in Nathan continuing to compete, and Nathan himself might not either.

It would be great to see him at Worlds, but I would understand if he decides not to go.

 

[Theatregirl1122]

The post you quoted said -- "but his score at Challenge Cup was 20 points below what Jason got at the Olympics with no quad"

Okay, I misread the post. I wasn’t inventing facts. Misreading is not an offense that requires several paragraphs of admonishment. At the point where I read it, I didn’t realize the LP had even happened because everyone was comparing Jason and Ilia’s SPs.

 

[kwanfan1818]

Misreading is not an offense that requires several paragraphs of admonishment.

There was exactly one line of admonishment, because you decided to SHOUT in yours.

The rest was simply facts about Malinin's international quad performance. If you chose to take that personally, that's on you.

 

[Dobre]

I am glad Ilia met his minimums at this event, and I wish him the best at his first Worlds.

 

[Jaana]

I´m so happy for Ilia! As he gets more reputation, the scores will rise...

 

[Wyliefan]

Well, now Nathan's talking like Worlds is in the plan: https://twitter.com/figuresk8ingdad/status/1498037086095503365?t=LqPyc1j48q_czP17NCFQwQ&s=19

 

[Firedancer]

Well, now Nathan's talking like Worlds is in the plan: https://twitter.com/figuresk8ingdad/status/1498037086095503365?t=LqPyc1j48q_czP17NCFQwQ&s=19

Yay! I am excited to see him compete at least one more time

 

[Wyliefan]

He could still change his mind again, I guess, but I really would like to see him compete again. Now that he has the ultimate prize, I think I can watch him without hyperventilating.

 

[Karen-W]

Definitely sounds like Worlds is in his plan. Hopefully he won't change his mind in another week or so, lol.

 

[skatfan]

Let’s hope there is a Worlds to go to!

 

[olympic]

IDK. I am selfish and want to see him pad his resume, so glad that he is going. He will maybe equal Scott Hamilton's record (4 World titles and Olympic champion)??

 

[Stephanie]

I stumbled across Taira Shinohara's youtube channel today. He has a great vlog from nationals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7VABV7YkYw

Here's hoping he did one for Challenge Cup too!

 

[skatfan]

IDK. I am selfish and want to see him pad his resume, so glad that he is going. He will maybe equal Scott Hamilton's record (4 World titles and Olympic champion)??

If not for the cancellation of 2020 Worlds, he might already be tied with Scott

 

[Sylvia]

I stumbled across Taira Shinohara's youtube channel today. He has a great vlog from nationals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7VABV7YkYw

Here's hoping he did one for Challenge Cup too!

His coach is proud! https://www.instagram.com/p/CaaA64prlNO/
(JPN SUI USA "All Japan" Junior men's podium)

Fan Zone article (12/21/21):

Taira Shinohara – Moving Up the Ranks - U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone

Junior men's skater Taira Shinohara is multilingual. Although born in the U.S., he considers Japanese his native tongue, plus he's picked up the language of computer

usfigureskatingfanzone.com

It was also during lockdown that Shinohara got to pick the brain of one of his skating idols, Jason Brown, over Zoom. Although still a competitive skater himself and vying for a spot on the 2022 U.S. Olympic Figure Skating Team, Brown is already sharing his wisdom with the next generation of skaters.
"I really admire him for being a skater who always works towards his goal. He is not a skater who got quads right away, but he stuck to skating. All his other skills, his performance and his triples got more consistent, so I was able to learn that even though skating can be frustrating and you may feel like quitting, I have to continue in order to achieve anything."

 

[A.H.Black]

If not for the cancellation of 2020 Worlds, he might already be tied with Scott

And now he would be going for a tie with Dick.

 

[AnnM]

Well, now Nathan's talking like Worlds is in the plan: https://twitter.com/figuresk8ingdad/status/1498037086095503365?t=LqPyc1j48q_czP17NCFQwQ&s=19

Raf looked annoyed, like he was hoping to go on vacation like Brian Orser did.

 

[skatingguy]

Raf looked annoyed, like he was hoping to go on vacation like Brian Orser did.

That looks like Raf's default expression, but I'm betting he's more interested in getting Chen back to regular routine than having a vacation.

 

[Wyliefan]

I can never quite get a read on what Raf is thinking or feeling until he later explains it in an interview. The man is an enigma.

 

[DreamSkates]

No doubt, but what's it hurt to train for a few more weeks and show up at Worlds to win some prize money that pays for a semester?

I read he’s made @1$million this year plus Olympics so if he’s feeling tired from this year why go to Worlds. He also had an injury before Olys so why take a chance.

 

[wickedwitch]

I read he’s made @1$million this year plus Olympics so if he’s feeling tired from this year why go to Worlds. He also had an injury before Olys so why take a chance.

I wonder if the lack of audience at the Olympics is playing a factor. You might want to go out in front of an audience with his family there.