- Joined
- Jul 26, 2003
From the pics and tweets, the Shibs seems to be soaking in the experience. I hope they perform all out and truly enjoy their competition.
Maia Shibutani & Alex Shibutani
- Thread starter cornell08
- Start date
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2003
Reposting my thoughts here:
Despite the fact that they're in fourth and lost levels in both of their Waltz patterns, I like that they keep adding more to their SD. There's even more choreography and Maia and Alex are seriously bringing it in their character portrayals. They're doing more upper-body movement and showing more expression than I've seen in a long time and are really skating all out (a real and legitimate criticism against them before). Their PCS is still lower than what I like but it's getting better with every competition and their GOEs (even though the Twizzle ones across the board is a head scratcher for me) are continuing to get closer to the top teams. They need to be patient and keep this momentum going and bring it every time they're in front of an international panel. They also received the only near-full arena standing ovation here and had the loudest audience response, which is saying something because the audience in Barcelona has been incredible for every skater.
They probably won't win Nationals since the judges are showing they prefer Chock/Bates still, but at least their improvements are getting rewarded, and maybe this season needs to just be about breaking through and getting into the good graces of the judges so they can maybe start getting great PCS that's comparable to the top teams. As long as they keep a upward trajectory and keep pushing their skating to go beyond what people thought they were capable of as performers, then they should be satisfied and it'll be great to witness as fans. Maybe then they can move up, if not in ranking than at least in closing the gap between them and the anointed medalists.
On a side note, at least they tied Chock/Bates on their step sequence and beat Weaver/Poje on their lift (Alex exits that lift masterfully). The judges may be warming up to them, but it's a slow burn.
Despite the fact that they're in fourth and lost levels in both of their Waltz patterns, I like that they keep adding more to their SD. There's even more choreography and Maia and Alex are seriously bringing it in their character portrayals. They're doing more upper-body movement and showing more expression than I've seen in a long time and are really skating all out (a real and legitimate criticism against them before). Their PCS is still lower than what I like but it's getting better with every competition and their GOEs (even though the Twizzle ones across the board is a head scratcher for me) are continuing to get closer to the top teams. They need to be patient and keep this momentum going and bring it every time they're in front of an international panel. They also received the only near-full arena standing ovation here and had the loudest audience response, which is saying something because the audience in Barcelona has been incredible for every skater.
They probably won't win Nationals since the judges are showing they prefer Chock/Bates still, but at least their improvements are getting rewarded, and maybe this season needs to just be about breaking through and getting into the good graces of the judges so they can maybe start getting great PCS that's comparable to the top teams. As long as they keep a upward trajectory and keep pushing their skating to go beyond what people thought they were capable of as performers, then they should be satisfied and it'll be great to witness as fans. Maybe then they can move up, if not in ranking than at least in closing the gap between them and the anointed medalists.
On a side note, at least they tied Chock/Bates on their step sequence and beat Weaver/Poje on their lift (Alex exits that lift masterfully). The judges may be warming up to them, but it's a slow burn.
Amen to all of this.
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2011
Exactly! It's also important to remember that, despite their relatively low placement, these are the best PCS they have ever gotten in a SP in their whole careers. I do think they are still on an upward trajectory and doing exactly what they should be doing. It's also important to notice how happy they did look with the score, even though they had to have known it probably wouldn't hold up. They know they are on a journey, and we all just need to remember that too.
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2009
I love the Shibs<3 These two embrace movement so well. I won't lie I was disappointed in their SD score. I feel that none of the teams above them should have been marked higher in skating skills or transitions. The Shibs are so smooth. I have hope for the free dance though. Their free dance is very powerful and I hope it has impact here.
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2003
So while everyone grieve at competition thread (me included), I want to congratulate Shibs a great FD despite Alex's indisposition. You're the best!
I agree. Alex was a true rock star today
Their skating skills, dancing ability, posture, line, real subtle nuance in expression, and how they don't rely on flash and pretty faces have been underrated by many years. I'm glad to see people have turned around on them after so many seasons of people not appreciating them. They certainly won the audience today for good reason.
alex was food poisoned since last night, that's why maia got so emotional at the end
That is actually making me cry. They've worked so hard for this and waited so long. Every time I watch them I remember the Olympics when they lost points because Maia's tights caught on Alex's costume and wonder who'd be ahead with Chock/Bates without that disruption. I love watching them and just can't get into C/B. I only have watched their program just a few minutes ago and haven't watched any others but they were so close even with that, which is so unfair (and I do know that life is unfair!). That was an amazing, amazing program if he was ill (even if he wasn't it was wonderful).
It does leave a lot of hope for nationals though.
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2012
Re their GPF FD (quotes from the mixed zone, I'm guessing):
Maia Shibutani on today’s performance and Alex’s illness:
“I’m so proud of Alex. He’s not with me right now because starting from late last night he wasn’t feeling well. All today he’s been extremely sick. At practice this morning we weren’t able to do much. He really decided from the beginning that he wanted to fight through it. For me, that was so emotional because he’s not just my partner, he’s my brother, he’s family. To see him struggling like that all day was really a test of our connection and our partnership that we were able to get through that. We barely warmed anything up in the warm up. I trusted that he was going to give it his all and he did that. I’m so proud of him.”
http://www.usfigureskatingfanzone.com/competition-central/gpfbarcelona-team-usa-competition-central/
:sad4:
Maia Shibutani on today’s performance and Alex’s illness:
“I’m so proud of Alex. He’s not with me right now because starting from late last night he wasn’t feeling well. All today he’s been extremely sick. At practice this morning we weren’t able to do much. He really decided from the beginning that he wanted to fight through it. For me, that was so emotional because he’s not just my partner, he’s my brother, he’s family. To see him struggling like that all day was really a test of our connection and our partnership that we were able to get through that. We barely warmed anything up in the warm up. I trusted that he was going to give it his all and he did that. I’m so proud of him.”
http://www.usfigureskatingfanzone.com/competition-central/gpfbarcelona-team-usa-competition-central/
:sad4:
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2014
Re their GPF FD (quotes from the mixed zone, I'm guessing):
Maia Shibutani on today’s performance and Alex’s illness:
“I’m so proud of Alex. He’s not with me right now because starting from late last night he wasn’t feeling well. All today he’s been extremely sick. At practice this morning we weren’t able to do much. He really decided from the beginning that he wanted to fight through it. For me, that was so emotional because he’s not just my partner, he’s my brother, he’s family. To see him struggling like that all day was really a test of our connection and our partnership that we were able to get through that. We barely warmed anything up in the warm up. I trusted that he was going to give it his all and he did that. I’m so proud of him.”
http://www.usfigureskatingfanzone.com/competition-central/gpfbarcelona-team-usa-competition-central/
:sad4:
I'm in tears... Please skating God please let them win US national and medal at WC.
- Joined
- Nov 18, 2014
Exactly my thoughts. I was absolutely gutted for them even before I found out about Alex's illness, but that only makes their performance even more special. That absolutely deserved to medal; however, the judges thought otherwise, and what's done is done. For them to win Nationals after this would be the sweetest victory I could possibly imagine, and I so, so, so hope it happens.
Whatever happens, this speaks volumes to their character and it only makes me love them more.
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2014
Maia and Alex are getting loads of support this season, more than ever before I'm pretty sure. After a few disappointing seasons I honestly thought they would never be able to reach the rankings they got during the 2011 season where they won the bronze medal at their Worlds debut. But this season there's definitely something different about them (in a good way!) and for me, they went from being 'lovely' to 'phenomenal'. I don't really know what they can do to become America's top dance team which is sad for me as a fan. Personally, I enjoy C/B and S/S both, but the Shibs have something extra this season, and I can't pinpoint what it is exactly.
I watched again and I'm far from an expert but I saw 2 places where Alex's illness showed. They barely made it through their pair spin (noticed that the first time too which is understandable because spinning when you've been sick all day? ugh) and there was more distance than usual between them during twizzles which they corrected as they went I think. Again, spinning. I've not looked at the protocol nor will I (because others understand it better than I do) but the scores were so close that those 2 little things were enough I imagine. I also noticed that at the beginning the camera is on Marina who looks very worried and at the end her smile is fake. It made me wonder if she wanted Alex to not try.
I do think though is they got 4th with him so sick (and so visibly ill) and Maia so upset about it (she didn't keep her eyes closed at the start as she usually does along with the tears at the end) they are in a great place to do well at the remaining competitions.
I am glad that he is ill and not injured, as awful as food poisoning is and as brave as he was for even trying to skate. But injury would last the rest of the season and that would be horrible for them; they are so good this year. I hope they are proud of themselves for being so close to the podium and really quite close to first since the scores were all close, despite those circumstances.
I do think though is they got 4th with him so sick (and so visibly ill) and Maia so upset about it (she didn't keep her eyes closed at the start as she usually does along with the tears at the end) they are in a great place to do well at the remaining competitions.
I am glad that he is ill and not injured, as awful as food poisoning is and as brave as he was for even trying to skate. But injury would last the rest of the season and that would be horrible for them; they are so good this year. I hope they are proud of themselves for being so close to the podium and really quite close to first since the scores were all close, despite those circumstances.
Alex has been tweeting about what happened to him. Apparently he didn't sleep a blink last night and had and IV fluid connected to him :sad21: They couldn't really practice, but he knew they could do it when he heard their music and was standing beside Maia.
They are not skating at the Gala so he can recover. Although it's a shame we won't be seeing their gorgeous EX, I'm glad he's putting his health first and not pushing it. I'm very proud of them.
Maia talking to Pj Kwong after the FD
They are not skating at the Gala so he can recover. Although it's a shame we won't be seeing their gorgeous EX, I'm glad he's putting his health first and not pushing it. I'm very proud of them.
Maia talking to Pj Kwong after the FD
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I had no idea about Alex's food poisoning when I watched them perform their FD. It was so emotional- the way they skate it- each time- it is so touching, heartbraking, it is visible they give their all. Last night they brought me to tears which is quite rare for a dance routine. I was shocked to know Alex was that sick. This kind of dedication is simply priceless. I hope they start to win big, they so deserve it.
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2012
Tweets from Alex:
https://twitter.com/AlexShibutani/status/675948760304852992
https://twitter.com/AlexShibutani/status/675948994212855810
https://twitter.com/AlexShibutani/status/675949282327961600
https://twitter.com/AlexShibutani/status/675950278605217792
https://twitter.com/AlexShibutani/status/675950573758345216
https://twitter.com/AlexShibutani/status/675948760304852992
https://twitter.com/AlexShibutani/status/675948994212855810
https://twitter.com/AlexShibutani/status/675949282327961600
https://twitter.com/AlexShibutani/status/675950278605217792
https://twitter.com/AlexShibutani/status/675950573758345216
