Maia Shibutani & Alex Shibutani | Page 84 | Golden Skate

Maia Shibutani & Alex Shibutani

Gala https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POv6yOv00Ec (That´s life), I love that program so much.

At the olympics they will be skating to Pérez Prado, Coldplay, Frank Sinatra and Jay-Z, they will reach the widest range audience possible.
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Medal Ceremony https://youtu.be/1LE21zIBsGA?t=638 Very cool that their mambo music was chosen in their presentation https://youtu.be/1LE21zIBsGA?t=653, usually they play the FD music. It is so unfair that they were forced to return to dressing and putting on make-up just for the ceremony. The dress of Ekaterina looks much better in close up.

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Spanish comments https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22K41F7FLe4

They said : ¨ The program has a lot of variety and contrast of movements, power. Twizzles always to the rhythm of the music, twizzles super well choreographed, in the opportune moment, speed, power, variety, very good, very good. And what a precision of edges, cleanliness and subtlety. They have done a formidable job. ¨

I am glad especially about that they noticed that the program has a lot of variety and contrast of movements.
 
after seeing Maia and Alex at Rostelecom, I have to say that I am amazed and charmed beyond imagination with their SD - the thought and concept are visible, but they are not overshadowing the easiness and lightness of joy carried by this dance. Prominent, yet subtle in expression Latin ballroom dance references - just on point to give the 'right guess' and to see them actually behind it. The music is just fantastic - very smart from them to stay in one musical genre and convention, but play with rhythms inside this cohesive aesthetic of Perez Prado. Partial step sequence is a gem already - fantastic framing of the dance, detailing in arm movement, edge work and flow going so sublime with cha-cha rhythm. The whole picture was a breezy variation of Latin joy, a celebration of a good music and having fun out there - for me, they really captured the sense of Latin music, this 'authentic'-like side of it, they played with it, played with rhythms AND done it in such natural, effortless way. It was just infectious - the high energy of the performance, vibrancy of their costumes (so perfect in motion), they created a very universal moment of joy, appealing and engaging for a lot of people. That's a great strength - and an asset of a program for me.

With FD, I think that the most important thing they already managed to achieve is the fact that there is a balance and the comfort between music and their movement. Of course, the 'customization' process of the whole piece, 'owning' it in all areas and as a complex performance is in progress, but there is already a lot to appreciate. I personally loved the freedom and this polished, joyful abandon taken from it - there was a lot more of 'openness' and expansion in their movement than I've seen before. I loved new lifts, their spin and ofc twizzles - everything so musical, so airy looking for me. The program has for me a nice simplicity in it, but this simplicity should be never taken for an easiness in terms of meshing the story/message with the way of expression/execution. I do think that the basic point for the work of FD - aside ofc from technical/execution-wise polish and flow - will be to create more and more engaging, personal performance as a whole to be alluring and understood from those being close and those being far away; the goal I think is to make it universal, but still being their dream carried out there.

ETA - I thought I'd also re-post here my initial thoughts about their SD posted in Rostelecom thread if anyone's interested:

NoNameFace said:
Finally Maia and Alex – hands down it was the SD of the event and already made my top 5 list this season; it's just so effective, vibrant and 'ready' in its sharp, sleek simplicity. It's another example of a smart packaging from them – to take on rhumba/Latin rhythms with traditional music, but with modern flavour, highlighting their skills and connection/confidence in performance. The whole program just flows – it's a stunning example of using body action/movement to keep that continuity of rhythm, despite changes between rhumba, cha-cha and mambo. Expression – on point, great chemistry between them, creating an atmosphere of a fun, playfulness, joy of the music and the dance, they seemed so into it, Alex was really in his element for me: leading masterfully and this beginning sequence of steps – just pure class without being obnoxious or flashy. I love the 'framing' of that SD – clean, crisp holds, straight backs, nice hand connections, Latin is not only about booty/hips shaking and dramatic face grabbing, I just admire that they use their strengths to make Latin theme work, not throwing themselves into things they are not comfortable with for the sake of just 'ticking of the supposedly required point of Latin dance'. Yes, they sure could use more closeness and sway in movement, but these are not defining points for the in my opinion – it is more about seeing their interpretation of the rhythm, how they play with music (perfectly mixed), how they can express the feel of it through their movement without losing identity in the process. I love how the package is customized to them, but feels quite universal and accessible already at the same time – this is more of a play on 'authentic' side of Latin musically-wise, complemented with just enough Latin movement reference in choreography. Speaking of choreography – those twizzles are on the next level of insanity, with this literal count on their first set:drama:, partial step sequence – my favourite out there, so much of great detail, flow, edge quality, skated with confidence. In general, all elements are kind of designed to match the music, reference Latin movement AND to stand out on its own. Honestly, watching them performing it, I did not even pay attention to Alex's nude shirt or Maya's sparkle galore on the bodice part – it was about he vibrancy of emotion, the joy given to the people, the way they radiated of it, how the dance flew by. Some already are spreading 'kiddies dance' opinions on YT – well, what's wrong with resembling kids-like authentic joy, abandon and freedom in performance? For me, Latin culture of the dance, aesthetic is all about enjoyment, vibrancy, colourfulness, playful nature and Shibutanis' SD showed that in magnificent form and execution.
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demarinis5 said:
Congrats to the Shibs! SD is best Rhumba I have seen from the top teams! FD was nice but I did not love it like their SD, yet. Their skating and elements were first rate they are in incredible shape.
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what is remarkable for me in SD, is how they managed to keep up with high energy and vividness in expression throughout the whole performance - it is not an easy thing to do physically- and expression-wise. And moreover - how well they managed to interpret/execute all 3 rhythms included. For me, seeing almost all top teams' SDs now, Tessa/Scott, Piper/Paul and Maia/Alex's references to Latin ballroom dances are the best out there: the most stylish, polished, well-thought and going so well with music/convention and rhythms chosen. With Shibutanis, the most valuable thing in terms of Latin dance references is the crispness of movement in synch with the rhythm, isolation and framing in their upper body parts and how they accentuated mambo rhythm in non-touching step sequence: using rather steady flow and harmony than just heavy, punctuated accentuation through their knee bend, turns and edge work.
 
skatingfan4ever said:
:jaw: The expressiveness (both facial and body), the speed, the ice coverage, the ease and fun!!!!!!! I LOVE IT ALL!!! :love: They already look so comfortable and happy skating it. Also, the costumes and sparkles and makeup are even more exciting close up. GO SHIBS!!! :cheer2: All the best in the FD!!! :hap85:
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expression-wise and reception (at least for myself), I think this SD is the most 'people-forward' this season, because it is more about celebration of the moment and re-creating the joy, cheekiness of the music out there to the audience, not only about celebration of team's technique and how well they can translate the rhythms, steps etc. And this was only its first outing...:)
 
It is entirely possible that they did a seminar in Russia. Maia and Alex consistently put extra effort into bringing goodwill as ambassadors through sports wherever they go. After Four Continents they conducted a seminar in Seoul as US state department Sports Envoys, roles last held by Michele Kwan and Evan Lycacek.

As VIETgrlTerifa mentions, they definitely seem to have warm friendships with Russian skaters like Radianova, Stolbova and Kovtun as well. There seems an especially close bond with Volosozhar and Trankov who congratulated the Shibs the moment they won their first US title. I remember thinking their enthusiasm and support was so genuine. It didn't matter whether they were American or Russian. Maia and Alex were simply people Maxim admired, and he and Tatiana believed in them as skaters.

https://twitter.com/xam_trankov/status/691208666914123781
 
Elizaveta Khudaiberdieva just posted a few pics with her, Nikita Nazarov, and the Shibs with a few other young skaters here:

https://instagram.com/p/Bamheo0DE1G/

Her caption is absolutely precious. She called sharing the ice with them a dream come true and even better than seeing their dances live.

I’ve noticed that a good number of actual skaters and coaches have publicly said how much respect and/or love the Shibs, including coaches of their current close competitors. I think that says a lot about their skills. It also gives me life that Tarasova apparently loves the Shibs.
 
VIETgrlTerifa said:
Elizaveta Khudaiberdieva just posted a few pics with her, Nikita Nazarov, and the Shibs with a few other young skaters here:

https://instagram.com/p/Bamheo0DE1G/

Her caption is absolutely precious. She called sharing the ice with them a dream come true and even better than seeing their dances live.

I’ve noticed that a good number of actual skaters and coaches have publicly said how much respect and/or love the Shibs, including coaches of their current close competitors. I think that says a lot about their skills. It also gives me life that Tarasova apparently loves the Shibs.
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seeing how open, proactive and creative people they are - in and outside of the rink - there's no wonder for me, that they gain so much respect from lots of people. And as for Tarasova - I was surprised too, similarly to her apparent adoration for Gilles/Poirier:laugh:
 
NoNameFace said:
seeing how open, proactive and creative people they are - in and outside of the rink - there's no wonder for me, that they gain so much respect from lots of people. And as for Tarasova - I was surprised too, similarly to her apparent adoration for Gilles/Poirier:laugh:
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I finally translated Elizaveta's P.S. statement, and apparently it was her and Nikita's coaches that made this happen, so it looks like their coaches invited the Shibs to skate there. I'm glad to see Russian coaches having such respect for them that they'd invite them to their rink to maybe do a class or a demonstration or just to practice in front of their students.
 
VIETgrlTerifa said:
I finally translated Elizaveta's P.S. statement, and apparently it was her and Nikita's coaches that made this happen, so it looks like their coaches invited the Shibs to skate there.
Click to expand...

Gmyers will be happy that something american is touching russian ice dance :p
 
VIETgrlTerifa said:
It also gives me life that Tarasova apparently loves the Shibs.
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Well, she obviously doesn't love them in the way that she loves Papadakis/Cizeron or even Virtue/Moir (she is often ecstatic and deeply moved about/by the former and more than appreciative about the latter), but she surely respects them as skaters a lot, is aware of their outstanding qualities, and is not hiding it. At the same time, during the gala of the last Worlds she did say that they can't won't and be higher than third at least as long as Virtue/Moir and Papadakis/Cizeron are skating (not a direct quote, but that was the gist of what she said and of her talk about them with the other commentator)


NoNameFace said:
And as for Tarasova - I was surprised too, similarly to her apparent adoration for Gilles/Poirier:laugh:
Click to expand...
What's to be surprised. She can see when skaters have really outstanding qualities/are really special and she also loves originality (especially in elements and choreography) a lot. If a skater(s) is/are that good (at least according to her view on things) or really original, she has no problem saying it no matter from which country the skaters are. Yes, in ice dance she especially loves Papadakis/Cizeron and Virtue/Moir and appreciates other skaters from the Montreal group (like Hubbell/Donohue and also Fournier-Beaudry/Sorensen). Her other favorites that are not Russian are Hanyu, Chan and now also Nathan Chen, Kostner, Wagner, Aliona Savchenko, from some time ago - Lambiel and Takahashi etc.
 
lauravvv said:
Well, she obviously doesn't love them in the way that she loves Papadakis/Cizeron or even Virtue/Moir (she is often ecstatic and deeply moved about/by the former and more than appreciative about the latter), but she surely respects them as skaters a lot, is aware of their outstanding qualities, and is not hiding it. At the same time, during the gala of the last Worlds she did say that they can't won't and be higher than third at least as long as Virtue/Moir and Papadakis/Cizeron are skating (not a direct quote, but that was the gist of what she said and of her talk about them with the other commentator)
Click to expand...

I wasn't making it a competition. I just said she loved them based on translations I've read. She, in her own poetic way, would say flowery things about them. This doesn't mean she likes them better than P/C and V/M.
 
VIETgrlTerifa said:
I wasn't making it a competition. I just said she loved them based on translations I've read. She, in her own poetic way, would say flowery things about them. This doesn't mean she likes them better than P/C and V/M.
Click to expand...
You misunderstood me :). I was not trying to make it a competition either. It was not so much about V/M and P/C, but about Tarasova and her opinions and attitude towards Shibutanis.
 
Vlog 50, August https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G37HzPSVAXk Champs Camp, More Minute Maid!

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And finally Maia shared some skin care tips https://theklog.co/maia-shibutani-interview/

What is it like working with your brother Alex?

¨Alex is the most creative and hard-working person I know. He is a storyteller, incredibly motivated, and multi-faceted. Alex’s strengths have pushed our skating to another level. Working together is a unique process. We have complete trust in each other and no filter when we are workshopping ideas. Our ability to be totally honest with each other allows us to push the boundaries of what is expected in our sport. It’s always challenging to work with someone at a high skill-level and intensity, especially if you don’t agree about everything. Any challenges we face are far outweighed by how much we appreciate being able to share all of these experiences together¨
 
Aww... how sweet! What a wonderful sibling relationship :love: They're going to be drinking Minute Maid all the time :biggrin:
 
New vlog https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6sWnRCHNp4&feature=push-u&attr_tag=urbk4iQpFD4OMq3K-6, wow, that is a record for Alex. It is about K. Yamaguchi show, brief appearances of Mirai, Karen, Polina, Kristi, Katya, Yuka, etc.

And they are trying answer all comments and questions in their vlogs, that is so considered of them. Reading their answers I learned that Alex is single, kind of obvious but it is confirmed, and they said too: ¨If we ever miss a training day because of a shoot, we make sure to make up for it by skating an extra day on the weekend or getting evening ice¨. So they are really trying that all the extra activities do not affect their training, probably that is the reason why sometimes they are training at evenings and weekends, of course it could affect their resting but observing their instagram they are not the kind of people who spend the weekend sleeping anyway.
 
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