Maia Shibutani & Alex Shibutani

[ice coverage]

EXTREMELY cool news re the Shibs being invited to meet Coldplay :

Michelle Kennedy ‏@ExaminerSkating

@coldplay's tour manager reached out to the Shibutani's and they will be meeting the band in July when @coldplay's tour comes to Boston.
11:47 AM - 24 Mar 2016
https://twitter.com/ExaminerSkating/status/713074710527893504​

(Haven't seen anything about this tweet elsewhere on GS.)

 

[demarinis5]

WOW extremely cool for sure. Thanks for sharing!

 

[ice coverage]

Audio for Maia and Alex Shibutani's media teleconference prior to the 2016 World Figure Skating Championships (paid IN subscription not necessary):

03/24/16
00:14:33
http://web.icenetwork.com/video/v562950583/​

---

WOW extremely cool for sure. Thanks for sharing!

BTW, at approx. 12:20, Lynn Rutherford asked the question about Coldplay.
Maia answered that Coldplay's tour manager saw the Shibs' Nationals FD, and invited them to attend Coldplay's show in Mass. in July and to meet Chris Martin and the band then .

 

[cathlen]

So sweet! https://twitter.com/MaiaShibutani/status/713163348519559169

 

[musicfan80]

So sweet! https://twitter.com/MaiaShibutani/status/713163348519559169

That is too cute for words. I want to see Alex in similar photos.

 

[Crossover]

EXTREMELY cool news re the Shibs being invited to meet Coldplay :

Michelle Kennedy ‏@ExaminerSkating

@coldplay's tour manager reached out to the Shibutani's and they will be meeting the band in July when @coldplay's tour comes to Boston.
11:47 AM - 24 Mar 2016
https://twitter.com/ExaminerSkating/status/713074710527893504​

(Haven't seen anything about this tweet elsewhere on GS.)

What an exciting news! Shibs' music choice for their FD is a right one.
Coldplay's manager seems to acknowledge the band's songs are popular in figure skating.

 

[cathlen]

https://twitter.com/ShibSibs/status/713810743750221824 How not to love them?

 

[VIETgrlTerifa]

Channel 4 of Detroit has a really nice video interview and article about the Shibs:

http://www.clickondetroit.com/sports/brother-sister-ice-dancing-duo-competing-in-world-championships

On being a brother/sister team and dealing with the ramifications of that:

"I think in previous years, previous generations, sibling teams were kind of discouraged whether it be by results or just the perception that, 'Oh you can't do what the other teams are doing.' And I feel like, you know, the day in age that we live in, there are so many ways to express yourself and there are so many ways to interpret and minds are so much more open, why can't there be you know a great sibling team and why can't there be a team you know that skates to different music?" Alex Shibutani said.

Regarding why they chose "Fix You":

"The beginning of the song starts in a dark place, you know, the lyrics are, 'When you try your best, but you don't succeed. When you get what you want, but not what you need,' and those were the lyrics that initially hit us the hardest because we're at a point in our career where those words really rang true for us as far as we weren't accomplishing what we thought that we were capable of accomplishing yet," said Alex Shibutani. "And so those were kind of inspiration words that kind of pushed us forward in the beginning of the season but the song really takes a very optimistic upswing from the half way point and there is a fight, there is an energy, there is a courage that kind of builds in the song and we want to show the build in our skating and in our movement."

 

[Celine]

It's so heartening to hear that Maia and Alex will have the chance to meet with Coldplay. The connection they have with the music, is so special.
Just another validation of sorts for the way that Maia and Alex are accomplishing things in a unique way, being able to transcend the world of skating, crossing boundaries, interacting with artists in other disciplines, and engaging wider audiences.

Maia looking joyful in Boston!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BDby-BRy7n7/?taken-by=maiashibutani&hl=en

 

[Sorrento]

I know it's a partially crazy wish but I so want them to win this Worlds. Their FD is so special, I think it's the best FD of the season, so inspiring.

 

[Danibellerika]

You and me both!

 

[Celine]

Congratulations to Maia and Alex for once again winning the Edi Award!
Best Performance at US Nationals in Ice Dance.
http://www.skatepsa.com/psa/Best-Performances.html

Their "Fix You" Free Dance brought the house to its feet.
Not just once. Twice, with a second standing ovation when their scores were announced.

 

[VIETgrlTerifa]

Thvudragon from FSU posted a clip of their official practice today:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BDgz5VpAzFy/?taken-by=thvu

He also said they changed their choreograph lift, which is great because they were losing "easy" points on it compared to what the other teams were scoring for that lift. He said it was much smoother.

 

[VIETgrlTerifa]

I haven't listened to this yet, but social media personality, Branden Harvey just posted an hour-long podcast interview with the Shibs.

https://twitter.com/BrandenHarvey/status/714601485762486273

Johnny and Tara on the Shibs' chances of winning:

http://olympics.nbcsports.com/2016/...ohnny-weir-tara-lipinski-maia-alex-shibutani/

“This is the perfect storm for the Shibs,” Lipinski said. “They have a connection to Boston. They’re skating to this magical Coldplay free dance, which is getting raves, which will only heighten the anticipation in the arena. With an audience backing you, there’s no greater setup for you to sweep in and win the gold medal.”

 

[naz]

Someone posted a video on DailyMotion of their new choreographic lift:

http://3flip3loop.tumblr.com/post/141862356741/kichessarjilian-snippet-of-maia-and-alex


I think it's absolutely mesmerizing. Every single detail is so beautiful, and the whole part from start to end is perfect. Can't wait to see what it looks like during the competition.
They're definitely ready to win now.

 

[VIETgrlTerifa]

Someone posted a video on DailyMotion of their new choreographic lift:

http://3flip3loop.tumblr.com/post/141862356741/kichessarjilian-snippet-of-maia-and-alex


I think it's absolutely mesmerizing. Every single detail is so beautiful, and the whole part from start to end is perfect. Can't wait to see what it looks like during the competition.
They're definitely ready to win now.

It looks like they adapted the original choreograph lift that they had in Nepela.

 

[rustyskater]

Thank you for sharing!! I think the choreo lift is better, especially the way they mark the end of the diagonal step, to the silence of the music, by gliding on one foot (which I think they should do for a tad longer), it's overall better; looks like Maia is being whirled to a better place!

 

[Sloopy]

Talk about being stunned by the change. I was sitting in the arena and heard others around me gasp. It's more effective and works better with the softer ending music.

 

[musicfan80]

The Shibs were just interviewed on the Sounds Good podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sounds-good-branden-harvey/id1080864041?mt=2&i=365734537. I hope the iTunes link works for everyone.

I greatly enjoyed listening to this as I was on the elliptical at the gym today. This was a great view of the Shibs as people!

 

[matcha]

Someone posted a video on DailyMotion of their new choreographic lift:

http://3flip3loop.tumblr.com/post/141862356741/kichessarjilian-snippet-of-maia-and-alex


I think it's absolutely mesmerizing. Every single detail is so beautiful, and the whole part from start to end is perfect. Can't wait to see what it looks like during the competition.
They're definitely ready to win now.

omg thank you! Have been wanting to see this.

I'm not going to survive the free dance comp.