Shibutanis make move to the big leagues | Golden Skate

Shibutanis make move to the big leagues

gsk8

Record Breaker
Joined
Jun 21, 2003
Country
United-States
USA's Maia and Alex Shibutani are another budding brother-and-sister team that are on the cusp of breaking into the top echelon of elite figure skating.
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Tinymavy15

Sinnerman for the win
Record Breaker
Joined
Dec 28, 2006
Nice article. these two have star quality and I can't wait to see them face the seniors on the GP series. I assume they will also do senior nationals and do junior worlds again if they qualify.
 

dorispulaski

Wicked Yankee Girl
Joined
Jul 26, 2003
Country
United-States
I was interested to see their take on Jr. Worlds, especially. I've been following them since they were at Jr. Nationals years ago!

And that they were working on the short dance already.

The biggest challenge that Maia and Alex will face as senior level skaters will be adapting to a change that all teams will face in the way that they compete. Last week at the bi-annual ISU Congress in Barcelona, Spain, it was decided that the Compulsory Dance and the Original Dance would no longer be separate parts of competition for ice dancers. Instead, teams will be required to perform a new short dance that is somewhat of a combination of the two. For this season, the dance will be the Golden Waltz, and the Shibutanis are well on their way to preparing for this change.
 
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100yen

You can't explain witchcraft
Medalist
Joined
Jan 8, 2009
It's going to be a really exciting season!! Their programs are always really beautiful and well-thought-out so I can't wait to see what they'll so next.
 

dorispulaski

Wicked Yankee Girl
Joined
Jul 26, 2003
Country
United-States
Just for those who don't know the Shibutanis, here's some videos of them:

2005/2006 Jr Nationals FD Juveniles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PAlQSaclu4&feature=related

2006/2007 FD Memoirs of a Geisha Novice US
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McxhneBBB44&feature=related

2007/2008 OD Japanese folk music to French cinema scores US Jrs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfKdH5q7tKQ

2007/2008 FD Sakura Variations (Heartbeat) US Jrs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzIR0VgcWnk&feature=related

2008/2009 OD Swing Dances by Paul Englishby Jr Worlds
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Q6v2APckIM

2008/2009 FD Cinema Paradiso Jr Worlds
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1ONEuW7RxE

2009/2010 OD Kodo Drums (Japanese Folk) JGPF
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhL8O9kyqyk&feature=related

2009/2010 FD Tango Jr Worlds
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lBDNb36iWM&feature=related
 

chloepoco

Medalist
Joined
Nov 1, 2009
They are such a lovely, young pair! I love their Cinema Paradiso program--it is one of the most beautiful ice dance programs I've ever seen!!
 

berrycute

On the Ice
Joined
Nov 14, 2008
Such a cute picture of them. They are just too cute!!!!

However, don't you think it will be difficult for Igor and Marina to train (at least) three top teams now that it looks like Tessa and Scott are staying on?
 

Sylvia

Record Breaker
Joined
Aug 25, 2003
Shpilband/Zueva currently have 5 dance teams assigned to the Senior Grand Prix series:
Virtue/Moir: Skate Canada & TEB in France
Davis/White: NHK & Skate America
Samuelson/Bates: NHK & TEB
Chock/Zuerlein: Skate Canada & TEB
Shibutani/Shibutani: NHK & Skate America
 

Barb

Record Breaker
Joined
Oct 13, 2009
wow, I really don´t like dance, but their cinema paradise program is sooooo beautiful, they don´t need jump for looks awsome, new fan here, definitly. And they are so young, I can´t wait for they will be older.
 

Sylvia

Record Breaker
Joined
Aug 25, 2003
Re: Shibutanis' music

An article published today on Icenetwork reveals the Shibutanis' program music choices for the new season.
... "Carousel Waltz" from Rogers and Hammerstein's Carousel for their short dance. For their free dance, the duo and choreographer Marina Zoueva have chosen Charlie Chaplin's "Smile" and Irving Berlin's "Let's Face the Music and Dance," both performed by Nat King Cole.
 

Tinymavy15

Sinnerman for the win
Record Breaker
Joined
Dec 28, 2006
Re: Shibutanis' music

An article published today on Icenetwork reveals the Shibutanis' program music choices for the new season.

I am
on the fence over the FD choices. Caroseul is a great waltz if that is the requires melody for the season. I of course love "Smile." But it is no longer "fresh" and paired with "face the music" I fear that the program will take on too much of a musical/ broadway feel. not that there is anything wrong with that, but I think Maia and Alex are capable of handling very mature, elegant programs (cinema paridoso) and that such qualities should be stressed.
 

MFarone

Final Flight
Joined
Aug 20, 2003
Country
United-States
Re: Shibutanis' music

I really like them! Last couple of years at Nationals I've watched a lot of the Junior Dance and this team is really enjoyable to watch. Wish them well for their senior debut.
 

lcd

Match Penalty
Joined
Mar 11, 2007
Re: Shibutanis' music

I have been waiting for this couple's senior debut since I first saw them as baby juveniles at the Boston Open years ago. They didn't train at SCB but somehow everyone seemed to know about them, it was the oddest thing. They literally blew the roof off the place. It was one of those totally electric and adorable "star is born" moments. Reminded me of when I saw Naomi NariNam at her first senior nationals. You just knew. Nat King Cole and lyrics will be quite a change for them. I think "Smile" will be so fitting as I know I'll be doing just that if I can make it to Skate America to watch them.
 
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