Can't Help Falling In Love ... with Hubbell & Donohue (fan thread #2)

I know the last time they tried to do a character-driven/storytelling program, it was Tron before they decided to go a bit more abstract for Worlds (which worked so well). I'd like to see them try that again. Madison in her exhibition earlier this season before Nationals was absolutely killing it and I'd love to see her bring that out for competition.

I think one problem they have is while both are great personalities on the ice Zachary is not as strong a technical and basic skater as Madison, and this restricts the kind of programs they are comfortable doing.
 
I think one problem they have is while both are great personalities on the ice Zachary is not as strong a technical and basic skater as Madison, and this restricts the kind of programs they are comfortable doing.

I've seen them live, and I will vouch for the fact that they are equally matched in ability. Both are very strong technically with great basic skating skills. Their deep edges and soft knees are mesmerizing, and they can execute very difficult footwork very close together.

I am personally less of a fan of abstract, lyrical, and storytelling programs, preferring things more based on particular dance styles. H/D have shown over the course of their career that they are particularly adept at accurately translating a number of different dance styles on to ice. At any rate, lack of ability is certainly not a restriction on the kinds of programs they can do.
 
I've seen them live, and I will vouch for the fact that they are equally matched in ability. Both are very strong technically with great basic skating skills. Their deep edges and soft knees are mesmerizing, and they can execute very difficult footwork very close together.

I strongly concur. Having seen them live twice, for me they're on par with Tessa and Scott as a team that is perfectly matched technically and artistically.
 
Strange seeing Maddie in white boots. I usually prefer them but she looks better in the beige.:p
 
I think one problem they have is while both are great personalities on the ice Zachary is not as strong a technical and basic skater as Madison, and this restricts the kind of programs they are comfortable doing.
IMO Madi is one of, if not the, best female skaters in ice dance. But to say Zach restricts the programs they do is not correct at all. Zach is a great skater and one of the best male dancers to relate to music. Perhaps the difference is so many other teams with a much weaker female but does not at all diminish Zach's technical and skating skills.
 
H/D are the national champions. This is only the second time the team event has been held. All the national champions were used in 2014. S-K/K have to do the team event, but Chen and Tennell will be used. H/D would end up the only US national champions not used in the team event in the history of the event.

I’m an ardent believer team event should have never been moved from the end of the games as originally planned—that NBC has too much influence on event scheduling in a way that can affect athletes and is unfair to other nations in the world is a whole other thread. I think skating politics for the individual events can be influenced by what happens in the team event. If H/D are skipped for the team event, it makes it appear for the individual event that despite being national champions, USFS puts more faith in the teams that finished behind them. I know it was close, but this is also a sport where world titles have been won by hundredths of a point.

I’m hoping they will be selected. I’m also preparing myself for them not to be. I’ve been following them since Skate America in 2011, and a recurring theme for them is that it feels like over the years if usfs can find a way to give h/d the short end of the stick, they will.
 
Well, it is not my intention to provoke the Chock & Bates fan base or to get them all riled up on this subject, but I really believe if the ice dance teams are to be split, the Shibs and Hubbell & Donohue strike me as being the logical choice. I feel that H&D are peaking at about the right time, and the Shibs, despite their Nationals setback, seems to be a no-brainer choice. I thoroughly understand the strength that each team possesses, but I also think momentum is of vital importance too, and this would, IMO, favor Madison & Zachary.
 
Last edited:
I don't think it makes sense to get too worried about it before we know who is actually skating, and as other people were saying there are good arguments for all 3 teams. Personally I would also pick Shibs for SD and H/D for the FD.

As for the individual event, imo the medal is between Shibs and H/D if both skate clean,and it will come down to whoever goes all out in the performance while also being at the top of their game technically. Tricky balance.
 
Well, my intention is not to provoke the Chock & Bates fan base or to get them all riled up on this subject, but I really believe if the ice dance teams are to be split, the Shibs and Hubbell & Donohue strike me as being the logical choice. I feel that H&D are peaking at about the right time, and the Shibs, despite their Nationals setback, seems to be a no-brainer choice. I thoroughly understand the strength that each team possesses, but I also think momentum is of vital importance too, and this would, IMO, favor Madison & Zachary.

Well, yes. Being crowned U.S. National Champions carries tangible momentum. The reshuffling of national rankings is sure to impact the next set of scores these teams receive internationally. To what extent remains to be seen, but not being stuck with #3 scoring, whatever that entails, can only benefit H/D especially in tight scoring situations.

Whatever USFS chooses to do, I couldn't comprehend them leaving the National Champions completely out of the Team Event. Not to mention that both of H/D's programs are particularly strong material.
 
The Sports Illustrated "Full Frame" Instagram page has additional photos with Hubbell and Donohue in an archived story called "Care to Dance."

@sifullframe


P.S. If viewing on a desktop, you need to follow @sifullframe to be able to see their Instagram stories on your feed.
 
The thing is, if H/D get left of the team event, it could give them extra fire for the individual event, just like how being left out of the team event for Sotnikova last time gave her extra fire to win Gold. That way, all three US Dance teams could end up with a medal!
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top
Do Not Sell My Personal Information