The Shibutanis Thread 6: Paradise Found

[suki]

Totally agree! I think they had the best lot of the SD's from that quad - Paso, RW, Blues, Rhumba. I think I meant to say it was never over the top when they did a mood piece or a character - very natural not 'showy'. Although I guess a doll coming to life isn't 'natural'. Even last year's SD was fun and cheeky but not exaggerated.

That's what I'm missing this season - too many forced and OTT dances - although maybe that's what ID is supposed to be?

I totally agree with you. The Shibs were among the most experimental teams during the last quad, especially the SD/RD. Their skating was fluid and unforced. No "fuss and feathers" as the esteemed Dick Button would say. And their posture and carriage. . . I don't know what the future holds for the Shibs, but I miss the range of the emotions they brought to ice dancing, from the cheeky humor to their heartfelt presentation.

 

[VGThuy]

I think one of the reasons I love Maia's skating so much is that she has the beautiful back line, posture, and carriage that is reminiscent of classic ladies skating that is missing in the past generation of so ladies skaters. Maybe it's not the best way to carry oneself for ice dance since one needs to be less classic looking and more free with fluid with the upperbody, but it's something really different for the discipline. I remember thinking the original arabesque position Maia had for the "Fix You" FD at Skate Canada was the closest thing I've seen to a Kwan spiral in a very long time.

 

[VGThuy]

So the Shibs are now selling merchandise through Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/...&visitId=9c003426-1cb4-451f-8bba-689ec2943286

I like that their twizzle t-shirt:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/...&visitId=9c003426-1cb4-451f-8bba-689ec2943286

has the word "twizzle" written four times with this caption explaining why:

"Why do three sets of twizzles when you can do four? Why only do four revolutions when you can do ten? BECAUSE YOU CAN."

They're getting a bit ballsy.

 

[Spiralgraph]

Well if you've got it, flaunt it. And they can flaunt their twizzles as much as they want.

 

[Rukia]

I don't need more t-shirts...but I'm about to get more t-shirts...

 

[kittyjake5]

WOW they have quite a collection. Reasonably priced and it looks like good quality.

 

[MRani]

I bought one of the sweatshirts already. I literally have no chill lol.

 

[Sylvia]

Maia & Alex were in Agoura Hills, CA yesterday representing Team USA - here are 2 local TV news stories:
https://www.kget.com/news/team-usa-donates-to-woolsey-fire-victims/1664446678
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/...w-Equipment-to-Agoura-Hills-HS-502980231.html
ShibSibs' IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/Brgzn5iDugI/

Article published on Dec. 14 after their NYC Bloomingdale's appearance for Ralph Lauren: https://wwd.com/eye/people/the-shib-sibs-to-take-fashion-learnings-to-the-ice-1202935363/

On Thursday night, their travels took them to Bloomingdale’s, where they made an appearance at Ralph’s Winter Wonderful, an indoor skating rink set up in the Polo men’s shop at the flagship.
...
All of this exposure to fashion will be evident when the siblings return to competition in hopes of qualifying for the next Olympics.

 

[Spun Silver]

Is that their official announcement? It had to come from them. Woo hoo!

 

[Cayuse]

Is that their official announcement? It had to come from them. Woo hoo!

I think you are reading the article with your heart.

 

[VGThuy]

I think you are reading the article with your heart.

Well, Maia said they were coming back months ago.

 

[Spun Silver]

Well, Maia said they were coming back months ago.

I forgot that. I don't think Women's Wear Daily knows enough about skating to make it up. For some reason it seems more real now and I'm going to consider it a Christmas present! ?

 

[VGThuy]

I like how Maia inadvertently caused a mini-raucous among her IG followers with this:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Brl4FXQHy1x/

I think she obviously meant the shirt she's wearing that they're selling, but people are focusing on the ring on her finger.

 

[VGThuy]

A fan created a video breaking down the Shibs' twizzles throughout the past four seasons.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28mF0RS6SsU

The description breaks down the Shibs' features and explain how the Shibs go extra in their twizzles.

-Only 2 sets of twizzles are required & a 3rd set of 3 or more rotations from a different entry edge can be used as a level feature. The Shibs often do 4 sets of twizzles.

-If you do 2 sets, only 8 rotations are required for level 4 (4 rotations in each set). If you do 3 sets, only 11 rotations are required for level 4 (4 rotations in 1st & 2nd set, 3 rotations in 3rd set). In the video, Shibs do from 15-18 rotations overall in their twizzles.

-You only have to maintain a group A or B level feature for 4 rotations for level 4. In the Shibs 2017-2018 SD, they maintain their free leg held out at 45 degrees or more from vertical feature for 7 rotations in the first set and do an 8th rotation as an exit to match the music going “uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco, seis, siete, ocho.”

 

[SCeline]

Maia's instagram stories for the past 2 days has had an incredible series of photos from their worldwide travels and experiences in 2018. Catch them before they disappear (24 hours!) When seen together, it's amazing to see all the people they've met and the projects they've been up to.

Highlights for me include Maia's stunning gold and black dress at the Academy Awards and the numerous designers she wore at NY Fashion week, and a photo of them with the CEO of Twitter, Jack Dorsey.

https://www.instagram.com/maiashibutani

 

[VGThuy]

Maia and Alex were at Santa Monica (funny enough Michelle Kwan was their earlier today) giving skating lessons to their friends Arden Cho and Ryan Higa:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BsCRE80nhuU/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1szxbg9qy4asl

https://www.instagram.com/p/BsCRyezgAC1/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1kkl3rkhftgoo

https://www.instagram.com/p/BsCS1TqhAZo/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=aju7kwz5n4ur

There’s more footage of them skating on all four of their IG stories.

I love how Ryan was holding on to the rails and to Alex for dear life.

 

[Sylvia]

Alex & Maia attended the Golden Globes and a couple of after parties last night as well as the "Gold Meets Golden" event with fellow Olympic athletes on Feb. 5th -- check out their latest photos on Getty Images.

ETA Alex's latest IG photos from yesterday's festivities:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BsWpvb8gP8W/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BsWurgAAcNF/

And Maia's:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BsWkFpEHGdj/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BsWAHDSH67a/

Ralph Lauren dressed them: https://www.instagram.com/p/BsV7bfBD2Yy/

 

[VGThuy]

The Shibs are looking great at the Golden Globes.

 

[suki]

The Shibs are looking great at the Golden Globes.

Alex can rock a tuxedo like a GQ model. Looks soooooo fine.

 

[B.Cooper]

so, what is the next step for the Shibs?
Any real discussion as to career path post skating?

 

[VGThuy]

so, what is the next step for the Shibs?
Any real discussion as to career path post skating?

Nothing like a giant media declaration. Maia said once at a Women in Sports event that she was going for 2022. She didn't say they because they asked her specifically if she was going for it. There was an article recently that was more covert about them continuing that required a bit of reading into it.

 

[VGThuy]

In case anyone was wondering, Alex was at the dentist's office today and someone asked him to name five of his favorite movie directors and he came up with this extensive list:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DwkzZjyXcAAYf7u.jpg:large

After observing it, he came the conclusion that we need more female directors. I concur.

 

[B.Cooper]

In case anyone was wondering, Alex was at the dentist's office today and someone asked him to name five of his favorite movie directors and he came up with this extensive list:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DwkzZjyXcAAYf7u.jpg:large

After observing it, he came the conclusion that we need more female directors. I concur.

and this is news worthy, LOL.....

 

[Sylvia]

and this is news worthy, LOL.....

This is the Shibs' fan thread so, yes, it is.

ETA: So where are they off to today?

 

[VGThuy]

and this is news worthy, LOL.....

You see the thread title? It says Shibs thread. It's for people who are interested in the Shibs. Alex basically did a AMA and fans actually participated and asked him questions to which he answered and shared with his fans. You see how that works? Some people are interested in the Shibs as people and we know Alex is interested in getting into film making after his skating career, and they are fresh off the Golden Globes and making all sorts of contacts and befriended a lot of people who work behind the camera who comment on their social media. And it was worthy enough for you to come here and comment, LOL. Actually, thinking about it, you asked about their career paths after skating, and this relates to it, so YOU should find it news worthy.

This is the Shibs' fan thread so, yes, it is.

ETA: So where are they off to today?

No idea, but crazy he went from the dentist straight to an airplane.

 

[Sylvia]

One reason they're in Boston - "Alex and Maia Shibutani will be coming to Northeastern University for a talk and Q&A on January 12th, 2019!" https://gouniversity.org/events/a-conversation-with-the-shibutani-siblings/

 

[sbgtfijc]

so the shibs are officially announced as skaters in april/may's stars on ice US tour... i hope this doesn't mean that they're not skating competitively next season because in the past few seasons, theyve turned down the shows so they could focus on preparing for next season's programs ahhhhh

 

[VGThuy]

so the shibs are officially announced as skaters in april/may's stars on ice US tour... i hope this doesn't mean that they're not skating competitively next season because in the past few seasons, theyve turned down the shows so they could focus on preparing for next season's programs ahhhhh

They've performed on SOI before a season before. It was only the 2017-2018 Olympic season they decided to forego touring. Many of the competing ice dance teams this season toured before this season.

 

[sbgtfijc]

They've performed on SOI before a season before. It was only the 2017-2018 Olympic season they decided to forego touring. Many of the competing ice dance teams this season toured before this season.

true! lets hope so

also found this fb live the other day and idk if it has been shared here already but i think it really does showcase how chill and easygoing they are as people and how eloquent they are at speaking and keeping the conversation going with a bit of fun!!
https://www.facebook.com/OlympicChannel/videos/1941223109524781/

 

[clairecloutier]

I’m excited to see them on SOI again. So what do people think—will we get new programs for SOI?? Or the same as last year?? I’ll be glad to see them either way, but new programs would be a nice bonus obviously. P.S. I miss them.