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

[semogal]

Madison and Zach are featured in this week's edition of the Icenetwork Ice Talk podcast (they start at about the 26 minute mark):
Ep. 23: Kiira Korpi/Madison Hubbell http://web.icenetwork.com/fans/icetalk

 

[hockeyplayer2]

Madison and Zach are featured in this week's edition of the Icenetwork Ice Talk podcast (they start at about the 26 minute mark):
Ep. 23: Kiira Korpi/Madison Hubbell http://web.icenetwork.com/fans/icetalk

Very interesting interview...always find them fun to listen to.

 

[AquaLady]

Madison and Zach are featured in this week's edition of the Icenetwork Ice Talk podcast (they start at about the 26 minute mark):
Ep. 23: Kiira Korpi/Madison Hubbell http://web.icenetwork.com/fans/icetalk

Love them! Interesting to hear Zach talking about his partnership with Piper...

Gotta admit, I was not a fan of their SD at the beginning of the season, but it has certainly grew on me over the past competitions. I now enjoy watching it. They really know how to sell the program! Hardwork always pays off! Madi and Zach have come such a long way and I'm really proud of them, despite the unfortunate mishaps recently. Hope they'll be able to pull it off at Worlds!

 

[semogal]

I love their interviews. Very interesting to learn they had a "PC" short dance in reserve but decided to stay with their original program and keep tweeking it. And I gotta say, they blew me away with it at Nationals.

Wishing them the very best of luck at Worlds.

 

[blancanieves]

Very interesting interview...always find them fun to listen to.

They sound in great spirits. For me it was fascinating to be reminded just how huge the mental game aspect is in an athlete's preparation. For all the necessary physical training, you can't win without mental readiness. So much good luck to them. I hope they end their season happy.

 

[Sylvia]

Madi & Zach's pre-Worlds teleconference call: http://web.icenetwork.com/video/topic/220125674/v1243590383

ETA Lynn Rutherford's tweet:

Rutherford's tweet:

[H/D] on step levels: "We have to stay calm, not give in to mental struggle, the devil on your shoulder"

 

[semogal]

Who is excited for Worlds? (and who is a bit nervous?) Wishing tons of luck to Madison and Zach this week. Looking forward to seeing the changes they have been talking about in their interviews.

 

[lmarie086]

I'm super nervous lol! I want them to do well this week so badly, but most of all I hope they are proud of themselves at the end of it. Can't wait to see the changes they've talked about as well...and I hope for a new FD dress for Madison!!

 

[cocotaffy]

Very nervous too. I want them to do so well, it becomes stressful lol.

 

[Firedancer]

I'm excited to see the changes they talked about and am nervous for them too. I really hope they can end the season with two clean skates they are happy with.

 

[semogal]

When you cross over from casual fan to uber fan competitions are stressful! And since the SD starts at 4 in the morning my time, I don't think my usual "watch skating, drink beer" will work to calm my nerves!

 

[blancanieves]

I'm super nervous lol! I want them to do well this week so badly, but most of all I hope they are proud of themselves at the end of it. Can't wait to see the changes they've talked about as well...and I hope for a new FD dress for Madison!!

Haha, I keep hoping the ink blot print on their SD costumes is gone!!

 

[semogal]

I finally got around to downloading my camera from US Nationals and the ONLY decent photo of the week is of Madison and Zach. As a photographer, I stink but I have great taste in skaters! Meeting them is my favorite memory of KC so I would have been crushed if it wasn't good.

 

[UMBS Go Blue]

Some new updates to their website if you missed their recent media call and podcast:

http://www.hubbell-donohue.com

 

[semogal]

OMG, they are in 3rd after the SD! New SB/PB Who else cried happy tears?
76.53 (40.47 + 36.06) 8.86 8.79 9.18 9.07 9.18

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDl9dcNskXU better video quality
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hB_r1SH2P8U better quality eurosport

 

[clairecloutier]

YES!!!! Oh. My. God. When the TES tracker hit 40 ... I started yelling at the screen!

They were DYNAMITE today. This is what they've been capable of all along and finally they DID IT. The speed, the power, the edges, second to none IMO. Honestly, I thought they were the best today technically, even better than V/M. They were just a little bit stronger, more flow, I thought, than V/M, but that's just me.

I am thrilled. They got SO MUCH negative feedback about this program, but they stuck with it, had faith in themselves, now they're in THIRD PLACE AT WORLDS!!

Forgive my excitement, I'm just thrilled for them. And I think the placement is totally fair and deserved, and actually I probably would've had them higher myself.

 

[Plusdinfo]

I would have put them above Papadakis and Cizeron, too .

 

[haribobo]

So I don't always watch dance and I think this is my first time seeing this program maybe. WOW!!!!! I mean, the synchronicity and expression was UN BELIEVABLE. WHOA!!!!!! So fun!

 

[Cherub721]

To think so many of us were worried about this SD costing them placements at Worlds. Funny how things work out! IMO, they've been the best US dance team for a while and it's nice to see that reflected in results where none of the teams had obvious mistakes/stumbles. Their FD is the strongest of the 3 as well. Hoping the podium stays the same.

 

[Firedancer]

Thank you for the video! I am so happy for them! They were amazing today and I loved their reaction in the kiss & cry. I really hope they can maintain this through the free dance to bring home a medal.

 

[PurpleRain]

Unbelievably happy for Madi and Zach! The dark horses have risen! Third place in the SD at WORLDS! I feel like we are currently witnessing their breakout moment! They even beat Papadakis/Cizeron in TES! AMAZING! Hope they finish with a medal tomorrow!

 

[clairecloutier]

I would love a medal tomorrow, but I am happy just for this moment. Because I hope it will give them the confidence and belief that they really CAN be one of the best in the world.

 

[girlscouse62]

I love these two and believe they have been better than Chock and Bates for a long time. Would like to see them beat P/C and grab silver medal!

 

[VGThuy]

Hubbell/Donohue deserved second here and I think they've shown they can compete with the likes of P/C at their own game because they have similar strengths technically.

 

[topaz]

Ya'll know I am still so happy and proud of them today. I do agree they should have been placed 2nd. Their PCS score should be higher.

Hopefully today is the inspiration to push to be the US #1 team, as they should be

I hope, want them to skate their very best in the free dance and they skate last. If they skate this program with the connection they are known for and the tech. prowess today, they have an excellent shot of being on the podium.

 

[semogal]

Video of the small medal ceremony. Madison is still grinning ear to ear!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9BNB_VYEvk

 

[cocotaffy]

Congrats to them. Fully deserved, they never gave up and have such a great energy. Best hip hop program today. Their skating fits the energy of the style perfectly, sharp and strong.

 

[blancanieves]

For those attending SOI this spring, you can place a bid to meet Hubbell & Donohue at one of the shows:

Bid to meet Madison and Zach

And, about that SD today, what a skate!! What an unforgettable moment. Everyone wants to experience happiness, but there is something beautiful about being genuinely happy for someone else, and this is one of those occasions. I'm so happy for them. I hope they lay down their FD just the way they want to tomorrow!!

 

[lmarie086]

They were amazing yesterday!! That is exactly how they needed to skate that SD, I was over the moon when I read the results/got to watch finally. I'll be honest, I do think the PCS would have been higher if it was a better program (they did win me over with it yesterday at last, but still), but I'm so pleased for them.

So mad that once again I'll be at work when they skate the FD, but best of luck to them!! I hope they have the performance they've been looking for this season.

 

[semogal]

Not the happy ending we were wishing and praying for but still incredibly proud of what Madison and Zach have accomplished this year. This is going to sting for a while but I have every confidence that they will use this experience to grow and come back next year even stronger. I'm thinking 2018 US National Ice Dance champs sounds wonderful.