Patrick Chan skates with the Canadian flag after winning gold at the ISU Figure Skating World championships in Moscow, Russia, on April 28, 2011. (Misha Japaridze/Associated Press)

Four-time and defending Canadian Champion Patrick Chan's appearance at a press conference on Monday in Markham, Ont. was like a breath of fresh air on an otherwise sweltering and humid day.

In Toronto for several reasons, his press conference covered a number of things from what he has been doing since winning his first World title in Moscow in late April, to what he is planning for the upcoming season, to the media announcement of a fundraising dinner being held in his honour on Sept. 9  in Richmond Hill.

By his own admission, Chan's disappointing experience at the 2010 Olympics was exactly what he needed in order to push himself and improve in order to capture the world's top spot.

The irony isn't lost on Chan.

"Experience is a funny thing," he said. "You don't always have it when you need it."

That being said, the lessons learned in 2010 prepared Chan to top off his season in Moscow - achieving new world records in the short, free and overall scores.

Momentum building

His goal is to continue to build on the momentum he has created by defending his world title in Nice, France in 2012 and to look towards the Olympics in Sochi in 2014 and beyond.

By continuing to improve and to 'up his ante' technically, Chan continues to be the man to beat which he is doing by adding a very new quad Salchow to his arsenal. He plans on starting his season with a quad in the short program and at least two in the free program, one being in combination. So when it is all said and done is 'the quad' a factor in today's competitions?

 

"No doubt it does make a difference and there is also the respect you get for having one," Chan said.

Part of Chan's charm is that if you ask him a question, he will answer it. He's clear in his perception that he didn't get to this point in his figure skating career alone. He has the help and support of his parents Karen and Lewis who help to mold and manage their busy son's schedule which will take him to China, South Korea, back to Canada, the United States and Japan all before the regular season starts at the end of October.

Expensive endeavour

Some points on this tour are for training and others are for shows and appearances which help support the high cost of elite training. That cost for figure skating's top skaters can run into six figures on an annual basis.

In conversation with the senior Mr. Chan, I am struck by the humility and keen understanding that there are a lot of people and not just athletes in the same boat who are all deserving of support.

Patrick Chan talks of his pride in being Canadian and in "carrying the country" on his shoulders as he competes. The enthusiastic people surrounding him at this press conference as members of the organizing committee for September's fundraising dinner are sincere in their desire to help him shoulder that burden by creating an event where fans and supporters can get a little closer and provide not only financial, but also moral support.

Honorary chair, Richmond Hill Councillor Godwin Chan had this to say: "As Canadians we are so proud of Patrick Chan's accomplishments and I am even more proud that as a resident of Richmond Hill he has chosen my town to play host to this event. I think he deserves all of our support."  

'I want to leave a legacy'

That kind of community support is energizing for Chan as someone who is determined to do his part to persuade Canadian kids to get on the ice.

"I tried all kinds of sports when I was a kid like soccer and tennis and golf and in fact started skating to be able to play hockey," he said. "I love figure skating and what I am able to express creatively. I want to leave a legacy in the sport. The fact that the community and the country is behind me means so much to me."

Elite athletes are a special breed who challenge limits on a daily basis. Patrick Chan is no exception - he knew that with the huge margin after the short program in Moscow, the title was his to lose.

"I knew from experience I needed to stay focused although I was excited by the lead I had after the short."

Composed for the free skate, he was nothing short of brilliant.

"It's funny but I didn't feel totally satisfied with my free in Moscow. I felt that I wasn't as connected to the Phantom as I am to this new program which gives me goose bumps when I skate it."

How high is up? Patrick Chan is one of those athletes that always strive to find out. Stay tuned for another great season.