The Shibutanis Thread 4: Ready for Paradise

[avivadawn]

Go Shibs! That SD puts me into a beaming smile and the best mood ever, so I cannot wait to see them slay with it again today.

 

[Anyasnake]

They looked really good in practice, if they can at least do the same they should get it right. And usually in practice you don't give everything so I'm waiting for even more . I'm hoping for them not to be nervous or holding back !!

 

[VGThuy]

Here is a new and very long and substantive interview Maia and Alex did after Rostelecom Cup with Inside Skating published today:

http://www.insideskating.net/2017/1...-realized-that-were-unique-and-we-embraced-it

 

[kittyjake5]

Wishing the Shibs Good Luck in the SD. Unfortunately I will not be able to watch live (dress rehearsal Nutcracker). Show the judges and naysayers that you are the US #1 team!

 

[Firedancer]

Shibs look great this morning. Twizzels were a definite highlight.

 

[chapis]

Sd practice, today https://youtu.be/h-xoJd2jmb8

 

[Spun Silver]

Here is a new and very long and substantive interview Maia and Alex did after Rostelecom Cup with Inside Skating published today:

http://www.insideskating.net/2017/1...-realized-that-were-unique-and-we-embraced-it

Boy, that’s definitive. And great pre-Oly timing, yay!

It is eerie how rarely either of them says “I”. That is so unlike ordinary people. And I was struck by how committed they are around the clock, so that even their off time is used to make vids for the fans. There was nothing about hobbies outside skating or college or post-skating careers. They seem just 200% committed.

I also liked Marina’s peaking plan. No reaching Paradise until February.

Maia’s quote, out of limitation comes freedom, may have come from Stravinsky, who expressed it very similarly IIRC in a little book called The Poetics of Music, and put the idea into practice when collaborating with Balanchine. Probably a lot of creative artists have understood that, esp those who work in collaborative media like film, opera, dance (on and off the ice).

And I LOVE the pic of Meryl and Maia shaking hands at Worlds 2011. They are like two queens!

 

[VGThuy]

Sd practice, today https://youtu.be/h-xoJd2jmb8

So sweet to see Anna and Luca applaud them after they finished.

 

[Spun Silver]

Sd practice, today https://youtu.be/h-xoJd2jmb8

Have a wonderful time, @chapis! I look forward to your comments.

 

[suki]

I have loved the last three short dances from the Shibs (Coppelia, That's Life, and Perez). In each one they offered a little touch of endearing humor that is sorely missing from ice dance these days (Maia slapping Alex in Coppelia, the Blades of Glory reference in That's Life, and now the twizzles countdown in the Latin SD). The twizzles countdown is about as close as the Shibs come to figuratively thumbing their noses at the judging panel as if to say "go ahead; we dare you to lowball us."

 

[Rukia]

Even a tough caller can't keep them down. They did amazing!

 

[Spun Silver]

Personal best. They beat Dostani!

 

[VGThuy]

That score should definitely boost their confidence going into this season.

 

[Rukia]

I can't wait to here from @chapis about how it looked live!

 

[suki]

Shibs KILLED it!!!!!!!!!!!! They were on fire!!!!!!

 

[caitie]

Oh man they were amazing. The twizzles count is a boss move. The audience explosion when they finished them was gratifying. So much respect for how on point their twizzles always are when so many other teams struggle with them so much. Congrats on the PB! I agree what Mrs. P said a few pages ago — having the tough caller here just made them rise to the occasion.

 

[Spun Silver]

They looked so completely in command. Total confidence.

And plus, they are totally getting the US no. 1 star treatment in the SA Tv coverage. Sure doesn’t hurt.

 

[binbinwinwin]

That was a fabulous skate from them, it was so much fun! Take that Dostatni and detractors!

 

[Rukia]

They looked so completely in command. Total confidence.

And plus, they are totally getting the US no. 1 star treatment in the SA Tv coverage. Sure doesn’t hurt.

Haha, right? They replayed them on NBCSN while waiting for the Ladies SP to start, and Johnny and Tara gushed and raved. People can hate on them all they want, when it's in favor of my faves I'll take it.

 

[Spun Silver]

It’s also so impressive how perfectly they deliver the Latin flavor. With a lot of teams there is such a feeling of trying too hard and pushing it too far. The style isn’t effortful with Maia and Alex. They are like Fred and Ginger at the Copacabana. Not in their Latinness but in how smooth and irresistible everything looks.

 

[caitie]

Lynn Rutherford tweeted that Dostatni did his thing with the other teams and they all look dazed from the tough calling and she says he’ll be fielding calls from coaches when the competition is over. Glad the Shibs were prepared after being on the wrong end of his calling this past Worlds.

 

[Spun Silver]

Lynn Rutherford tweeted that Dostatni did his thing with the other teams and they all look dazed from the tough calling and she says he’ll be fielding calls from coaches when the competition is over. Glad the Shibs were prepared after being on the wrong end of his calling this past Worlds.

TBH, this is how it should work. He finds small weaknesses and forces teams to perfect them. At least if there is any truth in his calls.

 

[MRani]

I haven’t seen it yet because we have guests over and I couldn’t watch live, but I saw the scores and OMG I’m so happy. I was trying to keep an eye on the live scores and honestly they were really depressing so I was scared for the Shibs. But they really delivered! I can’t wait to watch it, I’m literally trying to restrain myself from abandoning our guests and going to watch it right now lol

 

[Jessica]

The Shibs . They make me so happy.
I can't believe 3 judges only gave them +2 for their twizzles.

 

[DreamsofBliss]

TBH, this is how it should work. He finds small weaknesses and forces teams to perfect them. At least if there is any truth in his calls.

I agree but since it doesn't always work this way, it feels unfair to the teams that are relying on scores to break ties.

In any case, so happy for the Shibs. I love that SD and it's delightful to see it performed so well and received by the audience so enthusiastically.

 

[teacakes]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so hyped! I doubted because of Dostatni and am I SHOOK and ashamed. Bless my Shibs for throwing down.

 

[clairecloutier]

Super-impressed with the Shibs tonight. They were just boss out there! So strong, powerful, yet so many great details and so fun to watch. It was like they were just daring Dostatni to try and find an error! I'm thrilled with their TES score, would've liked to see a bigger margin in PCS, but I'll take it.

 

[chapis]

I can't wait to here from @chapis about how it looked live!

Omg!! That was amazing!!. I was so nervous, at the morning Rachel P. had an horrible fall, it seems she is fine, then Liam with another terrible fall, then almost all the other dancers with those shocking scores, I was sure he would give them 71 at best. They were great, great speed, and they did not skate small definitely. The difference from Shibs to the others teams is totally evident. The audience loved them too.
And you can see that they look so relaxed, confident and ready.

And what??!! Again no perfect score for their twizzles? . Well people went crazy for their twizzles but I guess those judges know better

 

[kittyjake5]

I just got a chance to watch their SD. Good lord they were on fire.
The Shibs know how to do Latin, they are incredible dancers!

 

[VGThuy]

I know I’m biased here, but that was seriously good right? Like they were on fire. Just a few seasons ago they were part of the mix for a top 5 finish at Worlds at best. Here, they gave a performance that champions give. They really saved this SD comp after all the previous nervous and cautious performances before them. They really improved by leaps and bounds and have learned to deal with the competitive pressure and how to perform while paying attention to the tech. Nationals will still be a blood bath but the Shibs will be doing more than just “watching their backs” as they clearly have much bigger goals than Nationals this season and it shows.