Shibutanis thread 3: Evolution

sap5

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Politics are never enough on their own. The teams have to be good enough to be politicked. The Shibs have that now IMO. I truly believe their FD performance at 4CC has turned the tide for them. A team doesn't get 115+ for no reason. I think even they, Marina, Massimo, and the judges were surprised at how good they were there.

Yes, that's what I meant. Shibs are now scoring enough that they can be politiked for gold. What I was trying to say is that you can't win OGM on skills alone. You unfortunately need political power behind you as well. If the Shibs weren't scoring like this, I think they'd be politiked to a lesser medal.
 
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clairecloutier

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The way the Shibs performed "Evolution" at 4CC created an experience as if it was my first time seeing this program. It really felt like a re-birth. The changes from Nationals and the GP series were not as major as the "Fix You" changes were from Nepela to the GP series last season, but whatever small changes that occurred really changed this whole routine. Their performance of it was also light years better than they had ever performed this FD. I really am shocked that they had it in them. I hope it's a new phase for Alex and Maia where they hit a higher level.


I don't know what specific changes the Shibs made for 4CCs, but for me, the end of the FD was much more effective this time. Like I said, at Nationals, they had me rapt for about 3 minutes and then it fell off in the final 40 seconds or so. Here at 4CCs, there was no fall-off at the end for me. In fact, I felt it built beautifully up to the end. They looked very, very good. I agree with someone who said upthread that they would still like to feel a bit more intimacy between Maia and Alex, but nonetheless there's still a strong emotional intensity to the program now. That aspect of the FD has improved so much since Skate America.

I am thrilled with their score and the increased separation from Chock/Bates. While my interest in the Shibs' FD has grown through the season, my interest in Chock/Bates' "Under Pressure" has declined. That program is simultaneously somewhat daring, yet monotonous, to me. Chock/Bates skated it well, but it just didn't go anywhere. So I'm glad to see the Shibs clearly on top of C/B here.

It was interesting to compare the Shibs to V/M. V/M have exactly the quality that the Shibs lack a bit--that is, incredible intimacy/chemistry between the partners. Plus that incredible knee bend and power. However, I did feel V/M looked a tad sloppy in their FD--just some small misses here and there, enough to mar the picture of the program. Whereas Maia/Alex were very ON. It will be interesting to see if the Shibs can continue to narrow the gap. I admire their scrappy determination to keep bringing it and getting better against the seemingly invincible P/C and V/M.
 

VGThuy

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Cute Instagram post from Maia and Alex at the Freestyle Ski and Snowboard World Cup event in Korea:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQq2nwng8Tt/?taken-by=maiashibutani

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQqEEv9D8BO/?taken-by=alexshibutani

It looks like Torin Yater-Wallace, Annalisa Drew, and Devin Logan were sort of disappointed that the Shibs didn't let them know they were there so they could hang. :lol: Maia said they had to get back to the rink and Alex said they didn't want to interrupt their process as they were competing.
 

chapis

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Performance at Seoul https://www.instagram.com/p/BQufUo8DMWW/?tagged=alexshibutani I guess seeing to Gracie showing up at The Today show as if she had just woken up motivated them to perform on training clothes :p.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQvcA3AlISK/?tagged=maiashibutani

Small piece of the medalist press conference (I guess) https://www.instagram.com/p/BQpoV4GlVPC/?tagged=alexshibutani

Pictures
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQui6Q0BQfG/?tagged=alexshibutani
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQuzrWqlNV1/?tagged=alexshibutani
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQuc0HZF3rn/?tagged=alexshibutani
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQucaPsDcEH/?tagged=alexshibutani
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQubxf_Dk2I/?tagged=alexshibutani
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQubczCDCN5/?tagged=alexshibutani
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQubL47j3oN/?tagged=alexshibutani
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQubL47j3oN/?tagged=alexshibutani
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQuHvpOhU-J/?tagged=alexshibutani
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQrVkMlgZAm/?tagged=alexshibutani
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQqHnmjFFWm/?tagged=alexshibutani
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQmzoMLF2qV/?tagged=alexshibutani
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQneY1mDm23/?tagged=alexshibutani
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQmz0PVgvCu/?tagged=alexshibutani
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQuzrdxgknZ/?taken-by=instagamelin
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQiDtqxjWk_/?tagged=maiashibutani
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPinhl5BL5R/?tagged=shibsibs
And Maia is not the only one with good taste https://www.instagram.com/p/BQt7KtWjyei/?taken-by=canadiansynchro

Sorry for so many pictures but I just learned that you can find pictures with #, after using instagram for years :rolleyes: :shuffle:. Their korean fans are the best, when the Shibs are in the USA we don´t get much.
 
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VGThuy

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Here's a funny moment during a Q&A session during 4CC:

https://instagram.com/p/BQpoV4GlVPC/

Someone asked Alex and Maia if they felt the "feeling of love" when they skated with one another. Alex didn't seem to appreciate what the interviewer was trying ask but turned it around into something entertaining. This is probably the most "real" I've seen them get in this sort of public atmosphere.
 

chapis

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Here's a funny moment during a Q&A session during 4CC:

https://instagram.com/p/BQpoV4GlVPC/

Someone asked Alex and Maia if they felt the "feeling of love" when they skated with one another. Alex didn't seem to appreciate what the interviewer was trying ask but turned it around into something entertaining. This is probably the most "real" I've seen them get in this sort of public atmosphere.

hahaha, maybe the interviewer did not know they are siblings. Or it was misunderstanding in the translation, in english LOVE is used for whatever, in some languages there are different words to the different types of love.
 

suki

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hahaha, maybe the interviewer did not know they are siblings. Or it was misunderstanding in the translation, in english LOVE is used for whatever, in some languages there are different words to the different types of love.
I thought the same thing, Chapis. I remember a major gaff by then-President Jimmy Carter (elected in 1976). He was giving a speech in Poland just as the Solidarity movement to oust the Soviet Union was gaining momentum. He gave part of a speech in Polish in which he wanted to say that the US stands with the Polish people as freedom-loving citizens. Unfortunately the translation in Polish meant that "he lusted for the Polish people in his heart." Translations are tricky.:eek:
 

VGThuy

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hahaha, maybe the interviewer did not know they are siblings. Or it was misunderstanding in the translation, in english LOVE is used for whatever, in some languages there are different words to the different types of love.

That's what I thought too. I think what gave Alex that impression was the fact people laughed right after he asked that question.
 

chapis

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I thought the same thing, Chapis. I remember a major gaff by then-President Jimmy Carter (elected in 1976). He was giving a speech in Poland just as the Solidarity movement to oust the Soviet Union was gaining momentum. He gave part of a speech in Polish in which he wanted to say that the US stands with the Polish people as freedom-loving citizens. Unfortunately the translation in Polish meant that "he lusted for the Polish people in his heart." Translations are tricky.:eek:

I did not know that expression (lusted), but if google translate is correct, that was very funny and embarrassing, poor guy!! :rofl::rofl::rofl:
 
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Sylvia

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(Yonhap Interview) U.S. sibling skaters enjoy stay in S. Korea as sports envoys: http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/culturesports/2017/02/21/0702000000AEN20170221009700315.html
Maia, 22, said she felt very honored to visit South Korea as a sports envoy.
"It's definitely something that's not bestowed upon every athlete, so for us to be here to represent not only our country but also our sport of figure skating leading into the next Olympics, it's very exciting," she said. "To have the opportunity to be here beyond the competition has been very special."
"We've met so many incredible young people over the past two days and they inspired and motivated us," Alex said. "We talked about diversity, empowering youth in both of our countries which is something that we're passionate about."
Alex, 25, said serving as a sports envoy isn't actually difficult.
"I think it's very natural for us," he said. "When we're competing at international competitions, we're representing ourselves and we're representing our country and also we're interacting with people all over the world. So this trip as sports envoys just feels like a continuation of what we do on a regular basis."
 

chapis

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Looks like the Shibs are in L.A. with Quest Crew again:

https://instagram.com/p/BQ0MM-lghIA/

I bet their SD is getting a tune-up.

okay, C/B are at the beach now (by the way, beautiful pictures) while Maia and Alex just after to compete, make vlogs and work as sports envoys go directly to wrok and get better their programs. It is really beyond of annoying that some people assume that they are getting their scores or places because other motive than is not their work.
 

VGThuy

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okay, C/B are at the beach now (by the way, beautiful pictures) while Maia and Alex just after to compete, make vlogs and work as sports envoys go directly to wrok and get better their programs. It is really beyond of annoying that some people assume that they are getting their scores or places because other motive than is not their work.

To be fair, I think Chock/Bates deserve a small extended weekend. They probably spent as much time on the beach as the Shibs did doing their Envoy work.
 

chapis

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To be fair, I think Chock/Bates deserve a small extended weekend. They probably spent as much time on the beach as the Shibs did doing their Envoy work.

Actually I don´t think C/B are lazy, I just think the Shibs work too much and is being shown at the results, performances. The Envoy work was not a real break, it was job. At the facebook live they said that the off season is really a different work, not rest, and that they had not holidays/vacations since 2 years ago or something like that.
 
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SCeline

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So cool to see Maia and Alex connect so joyously with accomplished people from different creative worlds. They seem to bond so readily with other athletes, dancers, youtubers, actors, musicians! When they showed up at the half pipe test event in Pyeongchang, the coach of the US team and several of the athletes tweeted and posted comments thanking them and wishing they could get together.

Hopefully there will be a video with musician AJ Rafael
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQ8u8eDAu57/?taken-by=maiashibutani

Hiking with actress Arden Cho
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQ_KJBRAk6p/?taken-by=maiashibutani

Maia with with Wong Fu Youtube star. Hopefully a guest spot in one of their videos?
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQ8NssTA8pQ/?taken-by=maiashibutani
 

chapis

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So cool to see Maia and Alex connect so joyously with accomplished people from different creative worlds. They seem to bond so readily with other athletes, dancers, youtubers, actors, musicians! When they showed up at the half pipe test event in Pyeongchang, the coach of the US team and several of the athletes tweeted and posted comments thanking them and wishing they could get together.

Hopefully there will be a video with musician AJ Rafael
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQ8u8eDAu57/?taken-by=maiashibutani

Hiking with actress Arden Cho
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQ_KJBRAk6p/?taken-by=maiashibutani

Maia with with Wong Fu Youtube star. Hopefully a guest spot in one of their videos?
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQ8NssTA8pQ/?taken-by=maiashibutani

Their social skills are impressive, and it is not only Maia or Alex, both of them are popular with almost every person that they know.

----
Other songs that they could use next season at the latin rhythm. I don´t know if these songs could work but are not romantic songs and were very popular at Latin America.

Solo se vive una vez https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxrUkFQHYpg
Conga https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8v6cZ21vlc
La vida es un carnaval https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nBFWzpWXuM
De mi tierra https://youtu.be/acGY2gYtOtU?t=18
Sopa de caracol https://youtu.be/HduS169fsJI?t=8
El venado (comical song) https://youtu.be/DloxuSM5SJI?t=68 this one is about a wife cheating her husband but it is funny.

Anyway, I am almost 100% sure that they already chose the olympic season music.

-----

OMG!! I just saw they were at Lionsgate´s Oscar Party and Maia looked gorgeous, I love the dress. Now, I want her wear a red dress next season.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BRARMcbgerR/?taken-by=maiashibutani
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRAQqdiAfJ5/?taken-by=maiashibutani
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRAQj5rDrI3/?taken-by=alexshibutani
 
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DDNatalia

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chapis

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Looks like more short dance polishing with Quest Crew in LA on their way back from Korea. ALWAYS hard at work, aiming for better.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRGG8RWDiIs/?taken-by=alexshibutani

On the Red Carpet at the Lionsgate OSCARS PARTY!
Studio that produced LA LA LAND

Alex. Killing it in a suit. On and Off the Ice.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRDsxdGDCBp/?taken-by=alexshibutani

By the way, I love the song ¨The fools who dream¨ from La la land, I would love that they use it as an exhibition. Unfortunately probably many skaters will be skating with that music next seasons :(

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlunjmpaRVU
 

Dobre

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Maia & Alex’s free dance at 4CCs. (Heart, heart, heart!)

The changes to the ending really work for me. By switching the final lift with the choreographic spin, it alters the climax of the program to the choreographic twizzles after it. And that, combined, with the strengthening of the music prior to Nationals, really works for me. Plus the ending pose! They skated so strong & confident in Korea. It’s a beautiful program. Has been since the beginning of the season, but this performance at 4CCs felt fully realized. The music at the beginning sucks you in. Their classical lines are phenomenal. Everything finished. Every position feels connected between the two of them. As though their positions are an extension of one another’s. I think this is a strength. Hypnotizing.
 
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Dobre

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I don't see why Shibs couldn't win Worlds. Nothing is preordained.

I'm just trying to be realistic and keep in mind of the scores and perception of skill and talent people have of the ice dance teams.

I love Shibs fans:). Really, I think, a breed apart as far as ice dance fans go because Maia & Alex's journey, itself, has been so unique within the dance world. As fans of this team, we know never to take anything for granted. That every competition/program/season is a new one. But, also, that every obstacle is a new challenge that can make a team stronger and better. And we know that anything is possible.

Hope Maia & Alex address & sort out the first keypoint in their blues pattern. (Also, Alex, this much smiling is not necessary in the blues section. You had the feel right at SA).

But I'm very, very happy with both programs now! :swoon: Love them.
 

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