Maia And Alex Shibutani announce return to competitive skating

[throw_triple_flip]

The 2018 Olympic ice dance bronze medallists are planning to return to competition for the 2025/26 season. They will be coached by Marina Zoueva and Massimo Scali.


Press release from US Figure Skating here

 

[macy]

for a second i had to check and make sure it wasn't April 1st!! this was the last comeback i expected! have they continued to skate since 2018? i am super interested to see how this goes for them, 7 years is a really really long time, but i wish them well and will be following. wow.

 

[mrrice]

for a second i had to check and make sure it wasn't April 1st!! this was the last comeback i expected! have they continued to skate since 2018? i am super interested to see how this goes for them, 7 years is a really really long time, but i wish them well and will be following. wow.

This is a good question. I haven't seen them in shows in a very long time. It will be interesting to see how they fair against the newer, younger, teams.

 

[Rikku]

I'll take "Things I wouldn't have ever expected" for $2000, Ken.

 

[CellarDweller]

I'm quite surprised by this!

I will say that when Alex Shibutani appeared at the World Championships in March for an interview, the audience was excited.

 

[saine]

They could get two GP assignments based on the comeback rule. It's 1-6 in the past 10 years at Worlds. They had 3rd at Worlds in 2017, so they're within it.

 

[Ruthypegs]

They could get two GP assignments based on the comeback rule. It's 1-6 in the past 10 years at Worlds. They had 3rd at Worlds in 2017, so they're within it.

Good for them, but possibly a shame for Phoebe Bekker and James Hernandez, who are currently 24th on the Season's Best rankings.

 

[gmyers]

This is all because there is something missing from chock and bates! They are 3 time world champions but everyone would say Papadakis and cizeron still are

 

[4everchan]

Well, they were my favourite team back then (with virtue and moir) so I am happy

 

[throw_triple_flip]

Good for them, but possibly a shame for Phoebe Bekker and James Hernandez, who are currently 24th on the Season's Best rankings.

Does this news make that a certainty?


Also possible the maximum of 3 teams per country could end up making that point redundant anyway (in which case it would be a lower ranked american team missing out).

 

[saine]

Does this news make that a certainty?


Also possible the maximum of 3 teams per country could end up making that point redundant anyway (in which case it would be a lower ranked american team missing out).

Top 24 SB should be guaranteed at least one assignment.

I think you're right about it being a lower ranked American team that'll miss out with the country limits. There's only so many teams that can get two assignments.

 

[4everchan]

Top 24 SB should be guaranteed at least one assignment.

I think you're right about it being a lower ranked American team that'll miss out with the country limits. There's only so many teams that can get two assignments.

The USA only used 17 spots last year on GP. 3 times 6 = 18. I don't think many of the current juniors were hoping to jump up. In other words, it shouldn't have an effect much on GP selection outside USA. Also, they may or may not be ready for GPs. It's still to be seen.

 

[Skater Boy]

I have to admit I was shocked when I read this. They have lilke 8 mos o get ready for Nationals if they make it. It would be a feel good story with Maia's battlle with cancer. Those who love skating will know and remember this team. But they to me always seemed like the real good second American team. Though they did win OBM and they truly are lovely people I am sure they will say something like they are doing this for the process, they have unfinished business, they have grown and gone through life since 2018 and have something new to o ffer, the y miss the challenge etcc. I wish them well but I would be sad to see them not only as the the second or third US team but possiblly not make it. I am curious what hey have done he last 7 years. Marketing wise Davis and Whie Hubbell and Donahue, Bellbin and AGosto and certainly Chock and Bates are more marketable. It would be kind of a bit sad to see former world and olympic medalliss not on the Oly team or coming in say 10th (2 2 Us teams, 2 Canadian teams, Russia?, Italy, 2 French teams, Britain, Spain,...Honesllly just me I want to remember them as amazing OBM skaters and not what I recently saw Torvill and Dean and we all get older but I was horrified, though some may have enjoyed it, to watch they do Bolero forty years later. Bless their souls but though I am sure many thought how wonderful I was kind of sad for T and D and memories of hat immeasureable Bolero That being said I wish Maia and Alex all the best. Ice is slippery and unpredictable.

 

[xabia]

It didn’t do too well for Torville & Dean when they decided to return for the Olympic year. Just sayin!

 

[noskates]

Interesting. Kind of feel a little sorry for some of the other dance teams who have been working toward the Olympics......

 

[Diana Delafield]

It didn’t do too well for Torville & Dean when they decided to return for the Olympic year. Just sayin!

Nor for Katarina Witt.

 

[sworddance21]

Good for them! If they have a desire to compete, I think they should! I look forward to see what they can bring to the table.

 

[FSFan1999]

It didn’t do too well for Torville & Dean when they decided to return for the Olympic year. Just sayin!

I'm sure they wouldn't hate a bronze medal right now...

That being said 7years... against county-mates who have just won 3 world championships. It's a long shot. I do wonder though how other teams will react with the perceived pressure of another olympic medal team coming back, and if it will impact their decision making?

 

[dorispulaski]

It is asking a lot for them to be ready for the GP by September.

Alex is 34, Maia is 30. Granted Evan is 36, & Madison is 32, but they have been continuously training and successfully competing. I have not even seen a photo of either Alex or Maia just skating in years

Have they been seen skating in Zoueva's camp yet?

Good luck to them in any case.

 

[Rikku]

It didn’t do too well for Torville & Dean when they decided to return for the Olympic year. Just sayin!

Nor for Katarina Witt.

You're right, but tbf, unless I got my years twisted, 1994 was the first time professionals could come back to the Olympics. That's why there were so many coming back for Lillehammer: Torville/Dean, Witt, Boitano, Gordeeva/Grinkov, Mishkutionok/Dmitriev, even Elaine Zayak although she didn't make it to the Olympics (she did participate in the Goodwill Games later that year though).
No one really knew if it was a good idea back then or that in most cases, it doesn't work out because time doesn't stand still and competitions and competitors evolve.