World Team Trophy Reflections from Team Captain Jason Brown

The seventh World Team Trophy is in the books, and I am super proud of Team USA for fighting to a silver medal finish. We have made it onto the podium at this competition all seven times it has been held. I remember when this competition was first announced back in 2009, and I dreamed about one day becoming part of the team. It is mind-blowing to say that I have competed in the World Team Trophy three times, and it is such an honor to have served as captain this year in Osaka.
 
It goes without saying that it is always a wonderful experience to have the opportunity to compete in Japan, and this time it was no different. The Japan Skating Federation is always a great host, and ensures that the event is super comfortable for all the athletes. With so much uncertainty in the world today, they found a way to make sure that we all felt safe and comfortable during our stay.
 
All of Team USA had competed at the World Championships just a couple of weeks ago, so it was a challenge to be able to turn around and compete again such a short time later. There is always a post-competition letdown after a big event and finding a way to energize ourselves to perform at our best was something that we worked together to overcome. We were all there for each other.
 
During our official practice, the arena staff began to install the fan cardboard cutouts that you have seen on TV. At the same time, they were blocking off seats to meet COVID-19 protocols in preparation for the fans to arrive for the competition. For our team, it was the first time this season that we had fans in the audience.
 
An interesting side note—because of COVID-19 protocols, the fans were limited to clapping. They could not cheer for us or throw anything to us on the ice. It was a bit strange but being able to perform for an audience again was so exhilarating.
 
This competition is so unique for so many reasons, and one of the cool things about it is that I got to see my teammates skate, which is kind of rare for me during competitions. Normally the men are  one of the last events, so I have to stay focused on my own performances. In the first practice in Japan, our entire team was on the ice at the same time, and it was the first time that I had been on the ice with a couple of them.
 
Before the competition started, Team USA made some fun videos that were posted online to show our enthusiasm for the event. Because I speak Japanese, I helped the rest of the team learn some key phrases in the language that we used in the videos for our Japanese fans. We also made up some little dances that we used in the team box during the event to cheer each other on. Our team was incredible, and I am so happy that I got to spend more time getting to know each one of them a little better.
 
Nathan Chen is just remarkable in every way. There are few words that I can use to adequately describe his level of talent and ability. I am just in awe of him, and I am so grateful that he is part of Team USA. He pushes me to be a better skater by showing me what is possible. At this event, we had the opportunity to interact more than we normally do, and he is really a lot of fun.
 
Karen Chen is brilliant and is so beautiful on the ice. I am really impressed with how she has taken ownership of her skating, and she has shared with me in the past how she creates a lot of her own choreography. You can really see how well connected she is to her programs, and I think a lot of that is because she is so invested in her own creative process. She is so confident in herself, and I am so proud of the way she fought for her performances.
 
I have known Bradie Tennell since she was a little girl because we both skated in Chicago years ago. It has been amazing to watch her grow as an athlete and develop into a strong competitor. She is a fighter, and you know that you can always depend on Bradie to give it her all in every performance. Bradie's coaches were not able to make the trip, so for the first time in my career, I put somebody on the ice in the role of coach. I had the best seat in the house for her performances, and even though I was really just the water boy, being able to experience what it is like to stand at the boards was really cool.
 
I cannot believe what Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier have been able to accomplish in their first year together. My mind is blown. With pairs, it is so fascinating to see when magic happens in a partnership, and this team has magic. This was my first-time watching Alexa and Brandon live, and they have grown so much as a team in such a short amount of time. They have not even begun to scratch the surface of what is possible in this partnership and will be so exciting to see them develop over the next season.
 
Kaitlin Hawayek and Jean-Luc Baker were so thrilled to be competing in their first World Team Trophy, and their enthusiasm rippled through the entire team. Kaitlin was my team box dance partner throughout the entire competition, and it was fun to cheer everyone on with her as we came up with silly dances. I don't know if people could recognize Jean Luc when he was off ice because his face was covered with a Sponge Bob mask, but he was always doing something to cheer on the team. Like I did for Bradie, Jean-Luc stood at the boards for Nathan during the competition since his coach could not make the trip either.
 
When the competition was over, we were able to have a nice team celebration that included a surprise for American judge Sharon Rogers. This was Sharon's last event as an international judge because she will be retired after this season. With help from the Japanese organizers, we were able to get some cakes and had okonomiyaki, Sharon's favorite Japanese dish. It was such a great honor to celebrate all her accomplishments over the years, and to close out the season with a party. It has been such an incredible ride and I have enjoyed every moment.