Maia Shibutani & Alex Shibutani

[VIETgrlTerifa]

You can find a copy of their live stream here:

https://www.facebook.com/OlympicChannel/

They answered some good questions and did two demonstrations on the ice.

 

[Mrs. P]

Here's the link to the video: https://www.facebook.com/OlympicChannel/videos/1736781086635652/

 

[VIETgrlTerifa]

The Shibs have a few nice mentions in this Gracie Gold article:

http://web.icenetwork.com/news/2017/02/09/215585806

"I guess it's a gut feeling," Gold said. "I really feel it's the place for me. There's a good feeling there. Patrick [Chan] and the Shibutanis seem so happy. I just know it's right."
...
Sharing the ice with longtime friends Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani, the two-time U.S. ice dance champions, and Canada's Chan, a three-time world champion, is a big part of Canton's appeal.

"They all have that kind of cool, calm and collected feel," Gold said. "Everyone goes into the rink to skate on their own terms, nothing extra. Training for worlds there is like training for any other competition -- it could be Champs Camp or Skate Detroit. There's no drama. Marina has created such a great environment."

 

[100yen]

They uploaded another part of their olympic channel video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFdPK9bMXA4

THIS MADE ME SO HAPPY. Especially when Alex said Maia is his best friend. Personally, the sibling bond affects me a lot more than the relationships between other teams, somehow the family bond just touches me so much more than the "omg r they dating????!!" teams or those trying to fake a romantic connection. It just really warms my heart how despite being together almost always, being different genders, different ages--they are still each other's best friends. It makes me hope if I have kids one day they could be like Maia & Alex, always supporting each other. You just get this vibe that no matter what happens in life they've always go each other's backs. I'm an only child so I've always really admired this kind of relationship! Even over "romantic" ones. It just makes me smile!

 

[100yen]

http://imgur.com/a/TuOFM

I'm not sure if this was pointed out but at Nationals during the FD Alex wore a safety pin on his shirt! It's a signal showing support and solidarity for marginalized people, refugees, etc. during this time when a lot of people are scared. It's a bit hard to see here (I cropped it from a video online), but it's much easier to see on TV or a HQ video. This was so thoughtful to me, and a nice gesture of awareness.

 

[VIETgrlTerifa]

http://imgur.com/a/iPvzH

I'm not sure if this was pointed out but at Nationals during the FD Alex wore a safety pin on his shirt! It's a signal showing support and solidarity for marginalized people, refugees, etc. during this time when a lot of people are scared. It's a bit hard to see here (I cropped it from a video online), but it's much easier to see on TV or a HQ video. This was so thoughtful to me, and a nice gesture of awareness.

That looks like it was from last year's FD, and I don't know if the safety pins were a thing yet. Not only that, but I think it's actually a small slit, and not a safety pin.

 

[100yen]

That looks like it was from last year's FD, and I don't know if the safety pins were a thing yet. Not only that, but I think it's actually a small slit, and not a safety pin.

Hmm, it's definitely this year's! You can see it pretty well in this video because the contrast is a bit off. It's more clear in this pic though, so I'll update it!

 

[VIETgrlTerifa]

Hmm, it's definitely this year's! You can see it pretty well in this video because the contrast is a bit off. It's more clear in this pic though, so I'll update it!

Thanks for updating the picture. Holy crap, I think you're right! If it is, I wonder if it's out of solidarity. Makes me really proud to be a fan of his if it is. :luv17:

 

[Barb]

Hmm, it's definitely this year's! You can see it pretty well in this video because the contrast is a bit off. It's more clear in this pic though, so I'll update it!

yes, definitely is a safety pin, though we can´t be sure his reason to wear it.

 

[VIETgrlTerifa]

We do know Alex is low-key political. If you check out some of his past tweets, he's been open about supporting gay rights (celebrated when SCOTUS overturned the DOMA's same-sex marriage ban), spoke about more diversity and minority representation in the media, and he and Maia posed for the NoH8 campaign.

 

[Celine]

Their loyalty and support to friends in the skating community and causes that matter to them is pretty exemplary in my book.

In the NOH8 campaign posts you can see athlete friends like Jeremy Abbott thanking them in the comments section.

A current co-worker who helped organize the children's cancer skating show at Harvard relayed that even though the Shibutani's have not been able to perform, every year they make a financial sponsor contribution from a portion of their competition prize money, to support the cause in the name of the show.

If true, the safety pin gesture sounds very much like them. Quietly powerful, in the name of things that are good.

 

[Mrs. P]

U.S. Nationals Vlog!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXDyvfrR5Zs&feature=youtu.be

 

[apgold]

U.S. Nationals Vlog!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXDyvfrR5Zs&feature=youtu.be

This was a fun one with their Mom (I love that she's featured in more of their vlogs lately), Marina's little dog and meeting their fans.

I do appreciate how professional their vlogs are edited and produced and that they find the time to put them together.

 

[Barb]

Branden Harvey uploaded an interview with Maia and Alex (just audio), I don´t know if this is recent, I do not hear it yet but last 56 min :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FyoabnJ93Y
He is Branden https://www.instagram.com/brandenharvey/ . He seems a cool and nice person.

 

[Mrs. P]

Branden Harvey uploaded an interview with Maia and Alex (just audio), I don´t know if this is recent, I do not hear it yet but last 56 min :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FyoabnJ93Y
He is Branden https://www.instagram.com/brandenharvey/ . He seems a cool and nice person.

Branden references the fact they just won U.S. Nationals for the first time and and Alex mentions just winning 4CC and skating at Worlds in Boston so this interview was actually a full year ago. That's interesting he's held it that long.

ETA: This was actually originally posted a year ago (http://www.brandenharvey.com/sounds-good/maia-alex-shibutani)....but he just posted it on YouTube this week.

 

[Barb]

Branden references the fact they just won U.S. Nationals for the first time and and Alex mentions just winning 4CC and skating at Worlds in Boston so this interview was actually a full year ago. That's interesting he's held it that long.

ETA: This was actually originally posted a year ago (http://www.brandenharvey.com/sounds-good/maia-alex-shibutani)....but he just posted it on YouTube this week.

Oh, I see, thanks. That page does not open for me. I am glad he posted it on youtube because I never knew about that interview.

 

[VIETgrlTerifa]

According to this article, Marina says the Shibs worked on their music and steps to make the program more exciting.

http://web.icenetwork.com/news/2017/02/14/215961158

"We have worked more on the free dance ("Evolution") -- not just the steps but the music," the siblings' coach, Marina Zoueva, said. "It is a little bit changed, to be more exciting."

 

[VIETgrlTerifa]

If you go on Team USA's Instagram page on your mobile device: https://www.instagram.com/teamusa/

You can click on the icon and you'll see coverage of the Shibs showing off the sights and even a glimpse of their FD (no music). I never saw the rotational lift from that angle before and it looks really good and they have a new more "dynamic" exit coming out of it.

The Shibs have also been appointed by the State Department to be diplomatic sports envoys (like Kwan was under Bush and Obama) to Korea.

https://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2017/02/267630.htm

I wonder how people feel about that because even though they are now associated with Trump in a very long-arm way, it's a very neutral position and I'm sure they thought it was just to help U.S. relations through sports diplomacy. Also, based on their past postings, we know they (especially Alex) have strong feelings in support of many populations, many of them vulnerable minority populations.

 

[breadstal]

FD Run-Through, just stunning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVH-u65oWM0

 

[Mrs. P]

https://youtu.be/zVH-u65oWM0

Fan cam of FD. Definitely some changes in steps and music, but so subtle you might miss em!