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The Shibutanis started their [[2011–2012 figure skating season|2011–2012 season]] with a silver medal at the [[2011 Finlandia Trophy]].
The Shibutanis started their [[2011–2012 figure skating season|2011–2012 season]] with a silver medal at the [[2011 Finlandia Trophy]].


For the [[2011–12 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating|Grand Prix]] season, the Shibutanis were assigned to the [[2011 Cup of China]] and [[2011 NHK Trophy]]. They placed 2nd at the Cup of China. A week later they placed 1st at the NHK Trophy, edging [[Kaitlyn Weaver]] and [[Andrew Poje]] for gold by .09 points. It was the Shibutanis' first senior Grand Prix title. Their combined results qualified them for the [[2011–2012 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final|Grand Prix Final]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111112&content_id=25962704&vkey=ice_news |title=icenetwork.com: News |publisher=Web.icenetwork.com |accessdate=April 15, 2012}}</ref>
For the [[2011–12 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating|Grand Prix]] season, the Shibutanis were assigned to the [[2011 Cup of China]] and [[2011 NHK Trophy]]. They placed 2nd at the Cup of China. A week later they placed 1st at the NHK Trophy, edging [[Kaitlyn Weaver]] and [[Andrew Poje]] for gold by .09 points. It was the Shibutanis' first senior Grand Prix title. Their combined results qualified them for the [[2011–2012 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final|Grand Prix Final]].<ref name=in111112/>


The Shibutanis finished 4th at the [[2012 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships|2012 Four Continents]] and 8th at the [[2012 World Figure Skating Championships|2012 World Championships]].
⚫
==Coaching changes==


Invited by Secretary of State [[Hillary Clinton]], the Shibutanis attended a dinner in honor of Japanese Prime Minister [[Yoshihiko Noda]] on May 1, 2012 in Washington, D.C.<ref name=in120508/>

⚫
==Coaching changes==
[[Image:Shibutanis with Shpilband and Zoueva kiss & cry 2008-2009 JGPF.jpg|right|thumb|Alex & Maia Shibutani with coaches [[Igor Shpilband]] and [[Marina Zueva]] in 2008.]]
[[Image:Shibutanis with Shpilband and Zoueva kiss & cry 2008-2009 JGPF.jpg|right|thumb|Alex & Maia Shibutani with coaches [[Igor Shpilband]] and [[Marina Zueva]] in 2008.]]


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<ref name=fambusiness>{{cite news | url = http://espn.go.com/espnw/more-sports/7116870/alex-maia-shibutani-make-ice-dancing-family-business | title = Shibutanis make ice dancing the family business | first = Meri-Jo | last = Borzilleri |publisher=ESPN | date = October 18, 2011 | accessdate =October 18, 2011}}</ref>
<ref name=fambusiness>{{cite news | url = http://espn.go.com/espnw/more-sports/7116870/alex-maia-shibutani-make-ice-dancing-family-business | title = Shibutanis make ice dancing the family business | first = Meri-Jo | last = Borzilleri |publisher=ESPN | date = October 18, 2011 | accessdate =October 18, 2011}}</ref>

<ref name=in111112>{{cite web | url= http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111112&content_id=25962704&vkey=ice_news | title= Shibutanis claim ice dancing gold at NHK Trophy | work = International Skating Union | publisher = [[U.S. Figure Skating|Icenetwork.com]] | date = November 12, 2011 | accessdate=April 15, 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name=in120508>{{cite news | url = http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120508&content_id=30719578&vkey=ice_news | title = Shibs rub elbows with dignitaries at D.C. dinner | first = Maia | last = Shibutani | first2 = Alex | last2 = Shibutani | work = [[U.S. Figure Skating|Ice Network]] | date = May 8, 2012 }}</ref>


}}
}}

Revision as of 22:32, 8 May 2012

Alex Shibutani
The Shibutanis in 2011.
Full nameAlex Hideo Shibutani
Born (1991-04-25) April 25, 1991 (age 33)
Boston, Massachusetts
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Figure skating career
Country United States
PartnerMaia Shibutani
CoachIgor Shpilband
Marina Zueva
Skating clubArctic Edge FSC
Began skating1998
Medal record
Figure skating
Ice dancing
Representing the  United States
World Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2011 Moscow Ice dancing
Four Continents Championships
Silver medal – second place 2011 Taipei Ice dancing
World Junior Championships
Silver medal – second place 2009 Sofia Ice dancing
Junior Grand Prix Final
Bronze medal – third place 2009–2010 Tokyo Ice dancing

Alex Hideo Shibutani (born April 25, 1991 in Boston) is an American ice dancer. He competes with younger sister Maia Shibutani. They are the 2011 World bronze medalists, 2011 Four Continents silver medalists, 2009 World Junior silver medalists, two-time U.S. national silver medalists (2011–2012), 2011 NHK Trophy champions and 2010 U.S. Junior national champions.

Personal life

Alex Shibutani was born to Chris and Naomi Shibutani, who met as Harvard musicians.[6] He lived in Colorado Springs from 2005 through 2007 and moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan in 2007.

While in Colorado Springs, Alex Shibutani attended Cheyenne Mountain High School and finished his sophomore year there. He completed his junior and senior years of high school at Huron High School and entered the University of Michigan in the fall semester of 2009.

Career

Early career

Alex Shibutani began skating at age seven.[7] He originally trained as a single skater and competed up to the juvenile level in singles. In March 2003, he and his family attended the World Championships in Washington D.C. He said, "We were seated close to the ice in the second row, and when the ice dancers came out for their warm up, we could actually feel a gust of wind as the skaters flew by. We were so impressed with the artistry, skating quality, and speed of the top teams that we decided to give it a try."[7]

Maia and Alex Shibutani teamed up to compete in ice dancing in the spring of 2004.[7] During the 2004–2005 season, their first season of competition, they competed on the juvenile level, which is the lowest competitive level in the U.S. Figure Skating testing structure. During that season, Alex Shibutani represented the Hickory Hill Figure Skating Club in competition. They competed at the 2005 North Atlantic Regional Championships, the qualifying competition for the U.S. Junior Championships, and won the competition.[8] The win qualified them for the 2005 U.S. Junior Championships. At that competition, they placed second in the first compulsory dance, fourth in the second compulsory dance, and third in the free dance. They won the silver medal overall.[9]

In the 2005–2006 season, they moved up to the Intermediate level. Alex Shibutani changed his club representation to the Broadmoor Skating Club, where he and his sister trained. The Shibutanis won the Southwestern Regional Championships, their qualifying competition for the 2006 U.S Junior Championships.[10] At the 2006 U.S. Junior Championships, they placed second in the first compulsory dance and then won the second compulsory and free dances to win the title overall.[11] They worked as guest bloggers and aides for the media staff for U.S. Figure Skating at the 2006 U.S. Championships,[12] and again at the 2006 Four Continents, which were held in Colorado Springs.[13]

In the 2006–2007 season, they moved up to the novice level, which is the first and lowest of three levels that compete at the U.S. Championships. At the 2007 Midwestern Sectional Championships, their qualifying competition for the national championships, the Shibutanis competed under the ISU Judging System for the first time. They placed second in the first compulsory dance and then won the second compulsory and the free dances to win the competition overall and qualify for the 2007 U.S. Championships.[14] At Nationals, the Shibutanis placed second in both compulsory dances and then won the free dance to win the novice gold medal by a margin of victory of 2.06 points ahead of silver medalists Sara Bailey & Kyle Herring.[15] This was their second consecutive national title.[16]

Junior career

The Shibutanis perform a lift at the 2008–2009 Junior Grand Prix Final

In the 2007–2008 season, the Shibutanis moved up to the junior level nationally. However, they were unable to compete internationally on the junior level because Maia was not yet old enough. At the 2008 Midwestern Sectionals, the Shibutanis placed fourth in the compulsory dance and then third in the original and free dances to win the bronze medal overall. This medal qualified them for the 2008 U.S. Championships. At Nationals, they placed 7th in the compulsory dance, 2nd in the original dance, and 4th in the free dance. They placed 4th overall, winning the pewter medal.

In the 2008–2009 season, Maia became age-eligible for the international junior circuit. Alex Shibutani changed his club representation from the Broadmoor to the Arctic Figure Skating Club, where he and Maia trained. The Shibutanis made their junior international debut on the ISU Junior Grand Prix. At their first event, the 2008-2009 ISU Junior Grand Prix event in Courchevel, France, they placed second in the compulsory dance and then won the original and free dances to win the gold medal overall by a margin of victory of 11.00 points over silver medalists Kharis Ralph and Asher Hill.[17] They were then assigned to their second event, the event in Madrid, Spain. At this event, they placed second in all three segments of the competition and won the silver medal, placing 4.24 points behind champions Ekaterina Riazanova and Jonathan Guerreiro.[18] These two medals qualified them for the 2008-2009 ISU Junior Grand Prix Final, for which they were the third-ranked qualifiers.[19] Qualifying for the event had also qualified them for the 2009 U.S. Championships.

The Junior Grand Prix Final was being held concurrently with the senior final for the first time and so did not have a compulsory dance segment. The Shibutanis placed 7th in the original dance, 4.79 points behind original dance leaders Madison Chock & Greg Zuerlein.[20] The Shibutanis placed 3rd in the free dance.[21] They placed 4th overall.[22]

The Shibutanis went on to the 2009 U.S. Championships, where they competed on the junior level for the second consecutive year. At the U.S. Championships, the Shibutanis placed second in the compulsory dance,[23] the original dance,[24] and the free dance.[25] They won the silver medal, placing 6.78 points behind Chock and Zuerlein.[26] This was their fifth consecutive medal at a national-level competition. Following the competition, the Shibutanis were named to the team to the 2009 World Junior Championships.[27]

At Junior Worlds, the Shibutanis placed 5th in the compulsory dance, 4th in the original dance, and 2nd in the free dance. They won the silver medal, placing 10.40 points behind Chock and Zuerlein.[28]

In the 2009–2010 season, the Shibutanis won both their junior Grand Prix events and won the bronze medal at the Junior Grand Prix Final. They again skated at the junior level at US Nationals, which they won. At 2010 Junior Worlds, they finished off the podium in fourth place. This was their final junior event.

Senior career

The Shibutanis at the 2011 Worlds

2010–2011 season

In the 2010–2011 season, the Shibutanis moved to the senior level. They finished fifth at the 2010 Nebelhorn Trophy, moving up from eighth after the short dance with a strong free dance showing.[29] They won the bronze medal at both the 2010 NHK Trophy and the 2010 Skate America, making them the first dance team to medal at both Grand Prix events in its first senior season. They were the first alternates for the Grand Prix final.[30]

The Shibutanis finished second at U.S. Nationals and were chosen to compete at the Four Continents and World Championships. They won the silver medal at Four Continents. At the World Championships, they were in fourth after the short dance, 4.09 points behind third-placed Nathalie Péchalat / Fabian Bourzat. In the free dance, they scored 4.34 ahead of Pechalat and Bourzat, both of whom had fallen. The Shibutanis finished third overall by 0.25 points and won a bronze in their World Championships debut, a feat not even Virtue and Moir, the current Olympic Champions had accomplished.

2011–2012 season

The Shibutanis started their 2011–2012 season with a silver medal at the 2011 Finlandia Trophy.

For the Grand Prix season, the Shibutanis were assigned to the 2011 Cup of China and 2011 NHK Trophy. They placed 2nd at the Cup of China. A week later they placed 1st at the NHK Trophy, edging Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje for gold by .09 points. It was the Shibutanis' first senior Grand Prix title. Their combined results qualified them for the Grand Prix Final.[31]

The Shibutanis finished 4th at the 2012 Four Continents and 8th at the 2012 World Championships.

Invited by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Shibutanis attended a dinner in honor of Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda on May 1, 2012 in Washington, D.C.[32]

Coaching changes

Alex & Maia Shibutani with coaches Igor Shpilband and Marina Zueva in 2008.

Maia and Alex Shibutani originally competed as single skaters. Their singles coach, Kathy Bird, arranged for them to work with their first dancing coaches Andy Stroukoff and Susie Kelley.[33] The Shibutanis also worked with Mary Marchiselli. During their juvenile season, their programs were choreographed by Josh Babb.

After moving up to the Intermediate level following the 2004–2005 season and performing well at the non-qualifying competitions, the Shibutanis went to Colorado Springs, Colorado to work with choreographer Tom Dickson. During that off-season, they were being coached by Judy Blumberg on the east coast. After doing better than expected at the Lake Placid Ice Dance Competition in the summer of 2005, the Shibutanis decided to move coaching centers to a better training environment and so moved to train in Colorado Springs under head coach Patti Gottwein.[6][33] During that time, they also worked with Rich Griffin, Damon Allen and Eric Schulz.

Following the 2007 U.S. Championships, the Shibutanis changed coaches to Igor Shpilband and Marina Zueva in Canton, Michigan.[33] One factor in the decision to change coaches was the issue of university for Alex Shibutani, who at the time of the coaching change, had two years left of high school and was considering his university options.[34]

Programs

Season Short dance Free dance Exhibition
2011–2012 Batucada by DJ Dero,
Skip to the Bip by Club des Belugas,
Jazz Machine by Black Machine 		Sun Valley Serenade
by Glenn Miller Orchestra:
In The Mood, Moonlight Serenade,
Chattanooga Choo Choo
2010–2011 The Carousel Waltz
by Richard Rodgers 		Smile
Charlie Chaplin soundtrack
Let's Face the Music and Dance
by Irving Berlin 		The Prayer

by Charlotte Church & Josh Groban

Original dance
2009–2010 Itsuka Mata
by Tetsuro Naito
Ao-ki Kaze
by Ryutaro Kaneko 		Tango Rhapsody
by Luis Bacalov
La Vie en Rose
by Louis Guglielmi
2008–2009 Selections from
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
by Paul Englishby 		Cinema Paradiso
by Ennio Morricone 		Japanese Kodo Music
2007–2008 Japanese Kodo Music Piano music
by Jean-Marie Senia
2006–2007 Memoirs of a Geisha
by John Williams

Competitive highlights

The Shibutanis with the other medalists and their coaches at the 2011 World Championships

(with Shibutani)

Results

Event 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12
World Championships 3rd 8th
Four Continents Championships 2nd 4th
World Junior Championships 2nd 4th
U.S. Championships 1st N. 4th J. 2nd J. 1st J. 2nd 2nd
U.S. Junior Championships 2nd Ju. 1st I.
Grand Prix Final 5th
Cup of China 2nd
NHK Trophy 3rd 1st
Skate America 3rd
Nebelhorn Trophy 5th
Finlandia Trophy 2nd
Junior Grand Prix Final 4th 3rd
Junior Grand Prix, Croatia 1st
Junior Grand Prix, USA 1st
Junior Grand Prix, Spain 2nd
Junior Grand Prix, France 1st
North American Challenge Skate 2nd N.
Midwestern Sectionals 1st N. 3rd J.
Southwestern Regionals 1st I.
North Atlantic Regionals 1st Ju.
Ju. = Juvenile level; I. = Intermediate level; N. = Novice level; J. = Junior level

References

  1. ^ "ISU World Standings for Single & Pair Skating and Ice Dance : Ice Dance". International Skating Union. April 21, 2012. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
  2. ^ "ISU Judging System - Season Bests Total Scores 2011/2012 : Ice Dance". International Skating Union. April 21, 2012. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
  3. ^ "ISU Judging System – Season Bests Total Scores 2010/2011 : Ice Dance". International Skating Union. April 30, 2011. Retrieved June 17, 2011.
  4. ^ "ISU Judging System – Season Bests Total Scores 2009/2010 : Ice Dance". International Skating Union. March 26, 2010. Retrieved June 17, 2011.
  5. ^ "ISU Judging System – Season Bests Total Scores 2008/2009 : Ice Dance". International Skating Union. April 18, 2009. Retrieved June 20, 2011.
  6. ^ a b Borzilleri, Meri-Jo (October 18, 2011). "Shibutanis make ice dancing the family business". ESPN. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
  7. ^ a b c Walker, Elvin (June 20, 2010). "Shibutanis make move to the big leagues". GoldenSkate.com. Retrieved March 28, 2011.
  8. ^ "2005 North Atlantic Regional Championships Juvenile Dance Final Standings". U.S. Figure Skating.
  9. ^ "2005 U.S. Junior Championships Juvenile Dance Final Standings". U.S. Figure Skating.
  10. ^ "2006 SOUTHWESTERN REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS Intermediate Dance Final Standings". U.S. Figure Skating.
  11. ^ "2006 U.S. Junior Figure Skating Championships Intermediate Dance Final Standings". U.S. Figure Skating.
  12. ^ "2006 United States Figure Skating Championships Blogs". U.S. Figure Skating.
  13. ^ "Belbin & Agosto Increase Lead at Four Continents". U.S. Figure Skating.
  14. ^ "2007 Midwestern Sectional Championships Novice Dance – Free Dance Final Results". U.S. Figure Skating.
  15. ^ "2007 State Farm U.S. Figure Skating Championships Novice Dance Result". U.S. Figure Skating.
  16. ^ Backman, Daphne. "Shibutanis Claim Second Straight U.S. Title with Novice Win". U.S. Figure Skating.
  17. ^ "ISU JGP Courchevel – Junior Ice Dance Result". International Skating Union.
  18. ^ "ISU JGP Madrid Cup – Junior Ice Dance Result". International Skating Union.
  19. ^ "ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2008/2009 Junior Ice Dance". International Skating Union.
  20. ^ "SBS ISU Grand Prix and Junior Grand Prix Final – Junior Ice Dance – Original Dance". International Skating Union.
  21. ^ "SBS ISU Grand Prix and Junior Grand Prix Final – Junior Ice Dance – Free Dance". International Skating Union.
  22. ^ "SBS ISU Grand Prix and Junior Grand Prix Final – Junior Ice Dance Result". International Skating Union.
  23. ^ "2009 U.S. FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS Junior Dance Compulsory Dance Final Result Details". U.S. Figure Skating.
  24. ^ "2009 U.S. FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS Junior Dance Original Dance Final Result Details". U.S. Figure Skating.
  25. ^ "2009 U.S. FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS Junior Dance Free Dance Final Result Details". U.S. Figure Skating.
  26. ^ "2009 U.S. FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS Junior Dance Final Results". U.S. Figure Skating.
  27. ^ "U.S. Figure Skating Announces World, Four Continents and World Junior Teams". U.S. Figure Skating. January 25, 2009.
  28. ^ "ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships 2009 – Junior Ice Dance Result". International Skating Union.
  29. ^ Brown, Mickey (September 25, 2010). "Russia leads the way at Nebelhorn Trophy". Icenetwork.
  30. ^ Brannen, Sarah S.; Meekins, Drew (November 30, 2010). "The Inside Edge with Sarah and Drew – Nov 30". Icenetwork.
  31. ^ "Shibutanis claim ice dancing gold at NHK Trophy". International Skating Union. Icenetwork.com. November 12, 2011. Retrieved April 15, 2012.
  32. ^ Shibutani, Maia; Shibutani, Alex (May 8, 2012). "Shibs rub elbows with dignitaries at D.C. dinner". Ice Network.
  33. ^ a b c Mittan, J. Barry (July 31, 2007). "Skyrocketing Shibutanis". Skate Today. Archived from the original on January 17, 2008.
  34. ^ Mittan, J. Barry (December 22, 2008). "Shibutani siblings thriving in Canton, Mich". Icenetwork.
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