MOSCOW: Nathan Chen became the first figure skater to land five quadruple jumps in a single programme last year, but the 18-year-old American insists he has much more to offer.
In his second season on the senior circuit, the 2017 US national champion is hoping to prove at the Pyeongchang Olympics that he’s not all about the quad.Chen has packed his programmes with quadruple jumps, four-revolution jumps that have become key elements in world-class men’s programmes.
But Chen has made special efforts to improve his presentation, turning to Canadian choreographers Shae-Lynn Bourne and Lori Nichol to develop his artistry — footwork, expression and other elements essential to a high score.
Chen says he is trying to “imagine the programme as a whole picture,” and not unnecessarily waste energy on its individual components.“That’s definitely what I’m trying to prove this season,” Chen told reporters a day after winning his first senior grand prix event in Moscow in October.
“Obviously there is still work to be done. But definitely I’m in the right direction.”Chen opened the season by beating defending Olympic and world champion Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan in Moscow, landing four quadruple jumps in his short programme including a breathtaking combination of the quad lutz and triple toe loop.
In November, he won the Skate America grand prix event despite one of the worst free skates of his senior career.He had planned five quadruple jumps but only attempted four and put his hand on the ice on his quad flip before falling on his quad toeloop.
Chen redeemed himself at the Grand Prix Final in December, overcoming an error-filled free skate to win the title.The youngest of five children, Chen was born in Salt Lake City to Chinese immigrant parents.He was not quite three years old when his hometown hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics.
from The News International - Sports
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