Emily Samuelson and Evan Bates have ended their partnership

[BlueRidge]

Its really a shame that despite the Shibs all the up and comer teams with bright futures have split.

Despite the Shibs? Or because of the Shibs?

[olifaunt]

They're both looking for partners? I hope the split was amicable, otherwise I'd feel absolutely terrible for Emily in particular.

[Skate Talker]

Probably meant except the Shibs....

[MarieM]

I so hoped it would have been the shibs spliting. Sam/Bates, despite I don't like any of their programs, had much more interesting lines / edge work. SAD

[briancoogaert]

Oh, I'm surprised and sad. I'm not fond of their programs, but they had nice qualities, and could have improved.

[Frau Muller]

This is partly the result of "The Shib Factor." While Davis/White will be likely entrenched as the USA's #1 dance team through Sochi, it's the quick ascendancy on the Worlds scene of the Shibutanis (bronze medal at their first Worlds!) that has made the other top-5 or top-6 senior US dance teams re-evaluate whether or not they have the $$$ and the willpower to stay in the game through Sochi. Once the hope of being even the #2 dance team in your country is dashed, then it just becomes a very, very expensive hobby. I cannot blame Emily/Evan, Chock/Z, the Hubbells, etc. for pulling out of the game. Save your money and see the world in other ways.

[Frau Muller]

I so hoped it would have been the shibs spliting. ....

Why? They are the World bronze medalists on their first try!

[skatemommy]

Question...if no new partnerships materialize, what might the US podium look like?

[VIETgrlTerifa]

I so hoped it would have been the shibs spliting. Sam/Bates, despite I don't like any of their programs, had much more interesting lines / edge work. SAD

I'm sorry that you're disappointed that the Shibs won the World bronze medal, but don't you think it's a bit uncalled for to hope that it was the Shibs that had been splitting instead of a team that you admit you didn't particularly like?

[oubik]

Why? They are the World bronze medalists on their first try!

Well, because in this part of the Atlantic Ocean we have different preferences in ice dancing, sorry guys.

[VIETgrlTerifa]

So you all have one opinion?

[BlueRidge]

I wonder if the Shibs shouldn't contract for personal security. At least if they skate in Europe.

[allezfred]

I wonder if the Shibs shouldn't contract for personal security. At least if they skate in Europe.

Moscow is in Europe. They made it back just fine.

I do think the Shibutanis medalling at Worlds might be a factor in all these US teams splitting though.

[BlueRidge]

Moscow is in Europe. They made it back just fine.

Doesn't mean they shouldn't be careful.

[ioana]

I so hoped it would have been the shibs spliting. Sam/Bates, despite I don't like any of their programs, had much more interesting lines / edge work. SAD

I would say Emily and Evan had nice and even beautiful lines that were well-matched. The Shibs were the ones with 'interesting' lines earlier in their career -as in, there's no way they could ever make this work with such a height difference. To their credit, they worked on matching their extensions and she grew a bit which helped. I thought they looked quite good come Worlds.

[allezfred]

Doesn't mean they shouldn't be careful.

Maybe get their costumes made out of Kevlar?

[BlueRidge]

Maybe get their costumes made out of Kevlar?

Now you've got your thinking cap on!

[skatefan]

So you all have one opinion?

Nope, I think the Shibutanis are fabulous - have done since the first time I saw them

[maggylyn]

Once the hope of being even the #2 dance team in your country is dashed, then it just becomes a very, very expensive hobby. I cannot blame Emily/Evan, Chock/Z, the Hubbells, etc. for pulling out of the game. Save your money and see the world in other ways.

Most of these ice-dancers, if not all, have said they're looking for new partners.

How does that save any money? It doesn't look like it was about money as much as just not wanting to skate with the current partners anymore.

[BlueRidge]

Most of these ice-dancers, if not all, have said they're looking for new partners.

How does that save any money? It doesn't look like it was about money as much as just not wanting to skate with the current partners anymore.

Except for Chock & Zuerlein where he has retired from skating to pursue other things.