Early Arriver Chan Gets Feel for Sochi -- On the Scene

Three-time world champion Patrick Chan took to the ice at the figure skating practice arena Saturday afternoon in Sochi.

"Practice went well. Felt jet-lagged," said the Canadian figure skater after his nearly 40-minute solo practice session.

Chan, 23, was one of the first elite skaters to arrive in Sochi on Friday, flying from his home in Detroit, Michigan and connecting through Frankfurt.

"One reason I came so early is so that I didn’t have to deal with so many people or troubles with flights," Chan said. "I like coming early so I can check out the village.

"The village doesn’t look like anything how it looked last December, when we had a trial event," he said of the athlete accommodations. "I tip my hat off to the Russians."

Chan was late for the scheduled 2:00 p.m. men’s team event training session at the practice arena. However, officials allowed the Canadian figure skater to utilize the second session at 2:50pm. Chan was the only skater on the ice.

"I went to the gym in the village. It ends up it’s a lot further to walk to the bus station and the driver was slow," Chan explained about being tardy. " All these things add up, so that’s why I came early - to see to that the cafeteria is exactly a 10-minute walk. The buses are every 10 minutes.

"Just planning my schedule out like that I find that when I come to compete, I can really focus on competing. I train my best when I’m familiar with my routine"

The six-time Canadian national champion is competing at his second Olympic Games, having finished fifth in Vancouver 2010. Chan is seeking to win Canada’s first gold medal in men’s singles figure skating. Elvis Stojko claimed silver in both 1994 and 1998.

As one of the early arrivals to Sochi, Chan joked about being the first Canadian figure skater to receive his official clothing.

"I’ve been able to switch sizes because I didn’t have to fight with anyone else," Chan said with a big smile. "I get first dibs on everything."

Chan admitted he was not 100 percent on Saturday, although he still managed to throw a few quadruples, only falling to the ice once.

"They didn’t feel great. I’m still a bit lost in the air," Chan said. "[I’m] a bit dizzy and jet-lagged ... definitely a very good practice for first day, just coming in yesterday."

Chan – who was won the past three men’s world titles and took silver in the two prior to that – is considered by many as the gold medal favorite in men’s singles, which begins on Thursday, Feb. 13 with the short program.

"I’m treating this just like the others even though it’s the Olympic Games," Chan said referring to Grand Prix events and other competitions.

"I’m a three-time world champion and I deserve to be here and I deserve to be the favorite, but at the same time, I’m here for myself and to skate the way I know I can skate," he said.

The new team event opens the figure skating program on Thursday, prior to the opening ceremony. The men’s program is the first of the four categories (men, women, pairs, dance) in the short program/dance over two nights at the Iceberg Skating Palace.

Finals in the new Olympic event will take place next Sunday, February 9.

The Canadian team representatives will officially be announced on Tuesday.

Chan said he is looking forward to walking in the opening ceremony at Fisht Olympic Stadium.

"Yes, of course," when asked if he will be part of the Canadian delegation next Friday. "I’m excited to wear the Canadian jacket walking out. It’s going to be exciting."

Written by Brian Pinelli in Sochi

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