Patrick Chan committed to being the best again
Canadian star set to return after well-deserved time off
The atmosphere at the annual Skate Canada High Performance Camp is always energetic. For many of the skaters who haven't seen each other in months, it is the chance to pick up where they left off.
Patrick Chan is a huge skating star. The three-time world champion and double Olympic silver medallist took all of last season off in favour of show skating and some well-deserved free time.
In skating terms, a year away from the ice may as well be a 100. No one saves you a spot. You have to earn your way back into the mix.
So I wondered, with the meteoric rise of Canadian champion Nam Nguyen, who placed fifth in his second trip at the world championships, would there be room for Chan?
"Being in shape for shows is not the same as being in shape for competition" Chan told me.
He's right. Chan has to find a way to get back his triple Axel and his quad toe jump for starters.
Canada's top-five men took the ice on Wednesday in front of the assembled media. It was a first opportunity for me to get a look at Chan. I wasn't sure what to expect. My eyes kept bouncing between Chan and Nguyen, who was skating superbly.
Perfect marriage
Chan's music for the short program is the Rat Pack standard Mack the Knife, and it is brilliantly choreographed by David Wilson. Chan considers it to be the perfect marriage between a show program and one for competition.
By Chan's own admission, he has learned a lot about performing this past year and it shows. As I watched him fly around the rink, it struck me that this added "performance dimension" could be the thing to help him speed up his journey back to the top.
The "skating" is the thing in figure skating. Patrick Chan's basic skating skill is second to none. He continues to have an ease on his blades that is both memorable and remarkable.
Memorable because of the effortless way he is able to get across the ice. Remarkable because in a sea of great skaters at the top of the world rankings, Chan's skating ability is still distinct.
The season hasn't even started yet, but Chan has already been reflecting on what he needs to do. He's realistic, he's humble and he's committed to his path.
Make no mistake: Patrick Chan is still a force to be reckoned with.