I'm happy for Madi & Zach. I love both of their programs. This is great vindication for them. I wonder if they win a bronze medal at the Olympics whether they will stay in the competitive ranks? Maybe for an additional year perhaps. I don't think they will go for another four years.
I'm sad for the Shibutanis. I really love their skating. I hope they are able to tweak their fd and make some dramatic improvements. They can certainly see that its weak relative to programs by the other teams. And that came out loud and clear at GPF and now at U.S. Nats, where they were nearly beaten by Hawayek/Baker in the fd. I agree with @klutzy's above observations regarding the Shibs' fd. But the sp of S/S is spectacular, so I hope they are able to score well with that program at the Olympics.
I wonder what will happen with the Olympic bronze medal now up for grabs (since the Shibs are not being sent off as solid first place contenders from the U.S.). It would be nice to see H/D win OBM, but I have a soft spot for the Shibs. Maybe the Shibs will stay in for another four years, but they will have three excellent younger ice dance teams from the U.S. hot on their heels. And will Maddie and Evan continue or call it quits after this season?
I'm sad for the Shibutanis. I really love their skating. I hope they are able to tweak their fd and make some dramatic improvements. They can certainly see that its weak relative to programs by the other teams. And that came out loud and clear at GPF and now at U.S. Nats, where they were nearly beaten by Hawayek/Baker in the fd. I agree with @klutzy's above observations regarding the Shibs' fd. But the sp of S/S is spectacular, so I hope they are able to score well with that program at the Olympics.
I wonder what will happen with the Olympic bronze medal now up for grabs (since the Shibs are not being sent off as solid first place contenders from the U.S.). It would be nice to see H/D win OBM, but I have a soft spot for the Shibs. Maybe the Shibs will stay in for another four years, but they will have three excellent younger ice dance teams from the U.S. hot on their heels. And will Maddie and Evan continue or call it quits after this season?