2010 Nebelhorn Trophy - Maia & Alex Shibutani FD

[funkydreads]

They are magic. I just get "that" feeling inside when they skate. It's that feeling of knowing you are seeing something special like with Torvill & Dean, Michelle Kwan, John Curry, and others that just took you to another place. I live for that lift at the end of, "Smile" just goes on and on and on. Her extension is gorgeous and the way they have the same lean in the body & position of limbs in side by side moves just enhances the artistry even though those are technical things.

[clicmoi]

NICE NICE NICE!!!!!!!!

[mallemee99]

BEAUTIFUL! THEY'RE ACTUALLY DANCING!!!! HER BACK IS SO BEAUTIFUL AND THEY'RE ENJOYING IT!!

[teacuptootsie]

they're beautiful, i was bored:( nothing innovative or original, just very pretty. 

[Sapphira514]

@teacuptootsie i kinda preferred their tango last yr...this isnt my style but i like it :)

[rubydartz]

Nice choreography, very unusual and sophisticated Costumes look great. .

[niteddy1]

They have really grown up!! What a good looking pair! And very talented.

[app20446]

lovely

[muscleboi4use]

I forgot to say THANK YOU for uploading... goodness me, where are my manners! THANK YOU!!

[muscleboi4use]

Oh wow! These two have always had something special and they've grown, not just physically but emotionally too! Technically they make it look so easy. There is nothing 'scratchy' about their edges, nothing harsh about their moves. That twizzles section was super, normally we get only two sets, they did three, perfectly. Everything flows (just like all of Zoueva's and Spilband's teams) but these two have a gorgeous connection. Love reading everyone's comments - as I agree too! GREAT!

[itsonlykat]

absolutely mesmerizing... just beautiful to watch lovely posture and those arms so soft and with feeling... Smile suits them.............

[allthatmila]

This is amazing! They are the future of ice-dancing for sure! I love your comment @libbyhale68 I could not agree more! I am positive these two will be at Worlds this year :) Keep it up!

[Ugnele]

It's a real pleasure to watch them. Fantastic! :)

[Haley452]

Although I don't really like this kind of dances, I must say I really enjoyed this one. Their charm is undeniable :) I mean, I'm all for Davis/White but once they retire, these two will definitely make me keep an eye on US dance teams ;)

[libbyhale68]

Maia sparkles but I also think Alex is a stunner. He makes speed and strength look effortless and charming.

[libbyhale68]

This program made me smile and cry and want to dance, all at the same time.

The opening minutes are simply heart melting. The second half is like champagne!

I've just been hitting the replay button and floating around my living room! Thank you Maia and Alex! You are magic!

[gofigureization]

She has gorgeous arms btw!

[gofigureization]

AMAZING! Zoueva has done it again! This program is the perfect program for them this year. This is my favorite fd so far this year and I have seen all the videos from that Russian camp. I think that she looks great and their elements/skating quality are as good as ever! @Bananna85ify I think you are right! These two are very special!

[madamewable]

P.S. I looove the beginning and I adore the skipping/running/ballroom moves they do in the quickstep section!

[Bananna85ify]

They look faster, more mature, and they look like a seasoned senior team (not rookies)! What amazing progress they have made! The program is already so good at the beginning of the season! My favorite dance program so far this season (I've already watched it 4 times)!! We're witnessing something very special here ...ok I'm done! :P

[madamewable]

@Bananna85ify Agreed! I'm blown away by how great they look so early in the season! This is an amazing program! Kudos to Zoueva for creating another dare I say it, masterpiece. The fact they beat Cappellini/Lanotte and came close to Pechalat/Bourzat in the FD makes it even more impressive! The judges certainly liked what they saw!

[Bananna85ify]

M+A have amazing quality to their skating--It's like they're floating! I love the choreography, their expression and the performance quality. This program is so special...my heart had already melted 15 seconds in!) =)  They look like they have challenged themselves with new/impressive elements and the program will only get better with more experience and time!

[teddyjo26]

Those twizzles! Charlie better watch out, Alex's might start beating him on speed.

[karaangel1]

@ruskryger it is spelled Maia...

[karaangel1]

@ruskryger EVERYONE is doing one-armed lifts even P/B... Don't even go there... I think the position is great and it is well executed. (period)

[ruskryger]

@karaangel1 That's exactly why they shouldn't do it. It's well-executed but this variation is far too overused, and they need to set themselves apart especially in their senior debut. Compared to their spectacular one-armed rotational lift on one foot that they did at the end of their program at Junior Worlds two years ago, this one-armed lift is lackluster. But my bet is that they're still working out the kinks with Maia's growth, so I suspect that this was just a placeholder for another lift.

[gabbynewneo]

@ruskryger They talked about why they didn't use the "flying maia" in an article. It might look more "spectacular," but doing that rotational lift doesn't give them enough ice coverage or or speed to get higher levels and +GOE. I think they did the lift her beautifully and smoothly and I don't think they need to do anything different if they don't want to... they are already they are a unique team with their own style, and seem to make everything work for them. :)

[ruskryger]

@gabbynewneo: They don't need to do the flying maia, but they should think about revising the last lift if they want a better program. Right now, it's received some +2s but mostly +1s. On artistry, the judges expect to be wowed by the last technical element and they can find a stronger position in the one-armed lift. But really, it's not the last lift that needs work; it's their difficulty in the step sequences. A Level 1 diagonal step sequence is not good if they want to reach the podium.

[Bananna85ify]

@ruskryger I'm sure they will make all the necessary adjustments to make the program as good as it can be! I'd hope they have a better idea of what they need to do than all of us! :p Besides, I'm pretty sure their footwork is designed to be a level 4. It probably just didn't get the level at this event (by the technical panel)

[ruskryger]

@Bananna85ify : Yeah, I was actually surprised that they didn't at least receive a Level 2 for the diagonal sequence. Last time I checked, skating on one foot for across at least half the rink is at least one feature. But I think the main problem is that there was a lack of hold changes and that there's a lot of similarity in the footwork sequences between Zoueva & Shpilband's teams. (It's hard to come up with new sequences, though, for every team and segment...)

[ErinosukeNoNeko]

has maia grown this summer?

the height gap is much less noticeable, and makes the performance look so smooth :)

this FD is wonderful!! especially the first smile part seems exceptional...

very excited and looking forward to watching them this season!

[beatbox924]

@ErinosukeNoNeko

Yeah Maia grew about 3 inches this summer, went from 4'11" to 5'2". She looks great doesn't she!

[skatelova1]

@ErinosukeNoNeko wow!! That is an amazing program! I can watch those two all day! Their elements were amazing and their GOE was well deserved. I love their twizzles/spin and I also like the fact that they are doing new lifts. Their combo lift is so smooth. Maia looks stunning. That dress is amazing. She has turned into such a heart-breaker. ;) They look really fast and I think they will have a great year! Go MAIA and ALEX!!!

[karaangel1]

@skatelova1 I agree! Maia looks amazing! She has really grown into a gorgeous young lady :P They both look really fit and that program will be great! It is already one of my favorites! I absolutely love the quality of their skating! Ah! It is also cool how Marina Zoueva choreographed it. She did an amazing job!

[JapaneseJeffsFan]

Thank you for uploading.

I like their spin.

[newbatgirl]

Adorable. Great edges. Lifts were a little choppy but their steps sequences were great and their twizzles are awesome. Great speed for first year Seniors. 

[TaraBethW]

@newbatgirl They really do have great edges! And much more mature lines and expression this year. Great start for them this season...I can't wait to see what their future holds!