The Shibutanis Thread Cinco...Mambo!

[sap5]

Interview with Meryl for Click on Detroit https://www.clickondetroit.com/spor...n-arbor-siblings-competing-in-second-olympics

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Eta. 1
Maia and Alex Shibutani searching for podium 'Paradise' at Winter Olympics Detroit Free press
https://www.freep.com/story/sports/...butani-winter-olympics-ice-dancing/305156002/

Interesting article, their parents talk about the sacrifices they had to do for Alex and Maia´s career. They had already decided to settle permanently in Connecticut and they built a house that they had to sell shortly after to move to Colorado Springs where Maia and Alex had more opportunities for sport. And how her dad traveled from NY to Colorado Springs each week and how her mom become in kind of a single parent. Lately, their dad took a new job and he commutes back and forth from Boston every week.

I do not wonder why Maia and Alex are so proud of their parents and are so grateful to them.

I cannot begin to imagine what it is like to commute for work every week like that for years!

 

[Bellanca]

Maia & Alex! Good luck! Good luck! Good luck! SD, Team Event - Day 2!

 

[VGThuy]

Sending all the positive vibes to the Shibs!

 

[chapis]

Maia & Alex! Good luck! Good luck! Good luck! SD, Team Event - Day 2!

I love your avatar!!
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I think I definitely will not be able to watch the live competition, just read reports, I am sure it will be the best for my mental health, haha.

 

[VGThuy]

Massimo just posted this wonderful message on Instagram:

https://instagram.com/p/BfA1i9JDKDv/

 

[sylvestercat]

Will be exciting to see the dance event. A great 3 way battle for gold between the Shibutanis, Papadakis & Cizeron, and Virtue & Moir. All 3 teams are pretty much the certain podium, it is just a question of which color each tend winds up with.

 

[kittyjake5]

Good Luck to Mai and Alex!

 

[kittyjake5]

Any practice reports?

 

[chapis]

Any practice reports?

No, and apparently yesterday's practice was streamed by NBC

 

[kittyjake5]

No, and apparently yesterday's practice was streamed by NBC

Hmmm is it possible they are practicing somewhere else?

 

[binbinwinwin]

I swear there was a report somewhere that Team USA has a training rink outside of Gangneung somewhere....

 

[Sylvia]

I swear there was a report somewhere that Team USA has a training rink outside of Gangneung somewhere....

Yes, Team USA has a training rink in Chuncheon (they used it last year during 4CC).

ETA - Alex confirmed that even though they did not march in the opening ceremony they both dressed up and took some photos with other athletes beforehand: https://www.instagram.com/p/BfACYFXjDSQ/?taken-by=alexshibutani

Here are the photos (7 total): https://www.instagram.com/p/BfACVNXhckC/?taken-by=maiashibutani

 

[Dobre]

Yes, someone posted that Team USA has ice somewhere else.

 

[Dobre]

Yes, Team USA has a training rink in Chuncheon (they used it last year during 4CC).

Beat me to it! Thanks, Sylvia.

 

[kittyjake5]

Thanks for the info. I know other countries have rented ice rinks for their teams but was not sure about
USA.

 

[Dobre]

Cheering on the Shibs today! Have fun out there, guys. That's what Latin is all about.

 

[sylvestercat]

The Latin really suits Shibutanis. They have such a sexy look on the ice and great chemistry between them.

 

[Spun Silver]

Their SD stands out from all the others. It is deliciously upbeat, sassy and nonstop in its energy. Should be a crowd pleaser, at least if there's a crowd. :/

 

[chapis]

Their SD stands out from all the others. It is deliciously upbeat, sassy and nonstop in its energy. Should be a crowd pleaser, at least if there's a crowd. :/

I know, how is possible to see half-empty arena at the Olympic games no less. They should invite volunteers or something. Poor guys.

 

[sylvestercat]

Their SD stands out from all the others. It is deliciously upbeat, sassy and nonstop in its energy. Should be a crowd pleaser, at least if there's a crowd. :/

It also has a level of sophistication, class, and complexity which sets it above all other contenders, especialy those not named Virtue & Moir or Papadakis & Cizeron. The judges agree too as their scores all season bear out.

 

[Spun Silver]

I know, how is possible to see half-empty arena at the Olympic games no less. They should invite volunteers or something. Poor guys.

I really felt for Jun-Hwan Cha. He is so special and I thought there would be a big fuss about him. Those who were there loved him but they were way too few!

It seems South Korea has done a fabulous job planning these Olympics but they forgot the people. But I know it's complicated esp with the politics making it scary for visitors, as well as being an expensive trip for people from the US and Europe.

 

[DDNatalia]

Maia shared they she and Alex chose to forego marching in the Opening Ceremony, which was held at night in the mountain cluster, as the prudent way for them to be at their best when they represent for the Team event. They did attend the Team Men's and Pairs short programs, supporting their teammates.

Thought Maia's gentle smile and simple gestures of support seated next to a disappointed Nathan in the K&C, spoke volumes. Maia and Alex. Committed to excellence. Walking the walk of true leaders.

https://twitter.com/MaiaShibutani/status/962167044715065350

 

[sylvestercat]

I know, how is possible to see half-empty arena at the Olympic games no less. They should invite volunteers or something. Poor guys.

I know, it is dispirting. And you would think with Yu Na Kim the sport would be super popular there. Really surprised at the crowds.

 

[VGThuy]

Thought Maia's gentle smile and simple gestures of support seated next to a disappointed Nathan in the K&C, spoke volumes. Maia and Alex. Committed to excellence. Walking the walk of true leaders.

https://twitter.com/MaiaShibutani/status/962167044715065350

That's what I felt too! Maia has a seriously calming presence that we fans were used to during their more disappointing results in the past. Some people think she has the same emotion, but I think it's a real sign of strength, class, and someone who really is at peace with herself and who knows who she is.

 

[sylvestercat]

That's what I felt too! Maia has a seriously calming presence that we fans were used to during their more disappointing results in the past. Some people think she has the same emotion, but I think it's a real sign of strength, class, and someone who really is at peace with herself and who knows who she is.

It is a total contrasting feeling to 4 years ago where they seemed really happy but I think were struggling for their identity on their ice and their skating and still fighting to live up to their world bronze from 3 years ago since their rank had dropped since. Totally different from this time!

 

[chapis]

I know, it is dispirting. And you would think with Yu Na Kim the sport would be super popular there. Really surprised at the crowds.

it is obvious that they were fans of Yuna, not figure skating fans.

 

[sylvestercat]

it is obvious that they were fans of Yuna, not figure skating fans.

Usually when you have a big star though it gets the whole country interested in a sport. And I figured that would have happened here too.

 

[VGThuy]

Let's keep this thread positive for the upcoming skate. Here's to the Shibs skating as well as they have been or even better with energy, character, and fun. I bet they'll be gaining new fans if they do that.

 

[sylvestercat]

Let's keep this thread positive for the upcoming skate. Here's to the Shibs skating as well as they have been or even better with energy, character, and fun. I bet they'll be gaining new fans if they do that.

They gained a lot of new fans in Russia 4 years ago, and that was with some of their cheesiest and most ill suited programs ever (didnt they skate to Michael Jackson, LOL) so I imagine they will do that here too.

 

[kittyjake5]

I was just gong to respond to @sylvestrcat's post but OOOPS Banned.