1. What do I/K have to with the current topic? Comparing Shibutani to them is not valid,IMO,since they too had (I hope, had) lot's of problems. I think it'd be more fair to compare them to more stable, top 5 teams like W/P or P/B.
And I'd like to notice: if I/K deliver (like this did this year Euro's and Worlds) the judges are happy to reward them and the same judges don't forgive any mistakes of Shibutani. The interesting question is why? I believe, it's just that the "concept" of I/K is more appealing that the "concept" of Alex and Maia.
2. I'm not saying that they head to a failure. Being 5-6 place in the the elite ice-dance field is not a failure. But they had a lot they need to change to be at the Worlds podium again. And it'd be harder for them because of them being siblings.
3. While lots of teams will retire after Sochi, a lot of new fresh teams will appear. So the moving up in ranks for Shibs won't be given. Besides such teams as C/L, I/K or even B/S (lol, we don't know what Zhulin will do with them) have a room to improve tii.
As I said, I compared them to I/K because they have been at the senior level for the same length of time — 2 seasons. While it certainly makes sense from a results standpoint to consider W/P or P/B because the Shibs have beat those teams in the past, from a programming/artistry/maturity standpoint they need more time to develop just as W/P or P/B did in other areas. In their first two seasons W/P finished 20th and 17th at Worlds and P/B finished 20th and 19th. Both teams had needed time to develop certain skills, namely technical. I think it's reasonable to give the Shibs the same time to come into their own from an artistry standpoint.
Also it wasn't long ago that I/K was consider the next coming of Ice Dancing. In fact, when I/K won Junior Worlds their first time out (and the Shibs finished in 4th) everyone was sure that I/K would dominate seniors. The Shibs got a lot less hype about their senior prospects compared to I/K so I don't think it's such a stretch to compare how the two have done.
I don't think the judges are any forgiving of I/K if they don't deliver. I think they peaked at the right time and got the scores they deserved. The Shibs, on the other hand, failed at what they consistently do well, the TES, because of all those uncharacteristic errors. (Though some of the elements they have struggled on all season long). In fact, if you look at PCS — the Shibs were only two points behind a peaking I/K. And me thinks if they did the program as they are capable of doing it, the PCS would have been higher.
I don't see how it's more difficult for the Shibs to podium cause they're siblings. I think perhaps there's more the
perception of more difficulty because very few sibling teams that have been in the medal podium position. More of them, like the Kerrs or the Zarasekys from Isreal, have ended up in the top 6. I think the main thing they will have to change is their packaging and programs, but they do have a solid technical foundation to stand on.
1. I'd argue that all of the Canton teams peaked at the GPF. None of the teams scored that well again. Indeed, if you believe that the tensions in Canton existed long before the actual shake-up, it almost makes sense.
2. I would love to see the Shibs tackle "Rhapsody in Blue" even if it's within the same choreographic box as what they've done before.
3. I'd argue that the Shibs declined when a number of teams RAISED their game: W/P, C/L, P/B.... even I/K. And that's what makes it tough for them to regain their medal, I think.
IP, I agree with your points — i would like a Rhapsody in Blue number would be interesting despite it being in the same American genre (though the prospect of saying Gershwin, Glenn Miller and Nat King Cole are the "same" is sort of
).
The Shibs were clearly not in full strength at 4CC and Worlds while other teams peaked at Worlds. I think it would be more interesting to see how the Shibs do when they their absolute best compare to those other teams at their best (of course that doesn't always happen). We'll see next season, I suppose.
hwell:
She turns 18 today! :yes:
