Canada’s three-time champion Patrick Chan focuses on his own game at worlds
HELSINKI — Out on the practice ice at Hartwell Arena, Patrick Chan tries to stay in his own head space, avoiding the sideways glances at young stars such as Nathan Chen.
It’s not easy, as Chen reels off quadruple jumps with the ease that comes with unencumbered youth.
Chan competes at the world championships this week in a men’s event that has suddenly and irrevocably become all about the quad jump. The 26-year-old from Toronto can only hope his own brand of skating, which is as much about the other elements such as spins and skating skills, is enough against the high flyers like Chen.
The 17-year-old American became the first skater in history to land seven quad jumps in competition — two in the short program, five in the long. Chen, who is making his world championship debut after his meteoric rise, did it twice. He’s landed an incredible 18 consecutive quads.