Shibutani siblings win in Nagano; GP Finalists determined

by Anne Calder | Photo by Robin Ritoss

The sixth and final stop in the 2015 Grand Prix Series took place Nov. 27-29, in Nagano, Japan. Eight ice dance teams from four countries competed for prize money and qualifying points for the Grand Prix Final.

SHORT DANCE

Maia Shibutani & Alex Shibutani (USA) placed first with an interpretation of the comic ballet, Coppélia. Maia vacillated back and forth between the roll of the leading lady, Swanhilda, and the mechanical dancing doll. The captivating animation and choreography earned a 34.14 component score while the TES was 33.94 and a total 68.08.

Madison Hubbell & Zachary Donohue (USA) performed a mesmerizing dance to “Hallelujah” by k.d. lang and earned level 4 for the twizzles, curve lift, and the patterns. The 2014 Four Continents champions were the only dancers in the six GP events to receive level 4 for both the Ravensburger patterns. Their personal best score was 66.57. 

Ekaterina Bobova & Dmitri Soloviev (RUS) used the emotionally charged “Masquerade Waltz” and “Dance of the Knights” to place third. The program earned level 4 for three of the elements. The score was 66.19, just .38 out of second place. Alexandra Stepanova & Ivan Bukin (RUS) scored 61.96 for fourth, and Penny Coomes & Nicholas Buckland (GBR) were fifth with 61.00 points.

FREE DANCE

Maia Shibutani & Alex Shibutani (USA) won gold with an exquisite and captivating routine to “Fix You” by Coldplay that earned a new personal best 106.35 score. The 2011 World bronze medalists glided seamlessly from element to element painting an uncut masterpiece for the audience to appreciate. The unison and ice coverage on the twizzles earned six GOE +3 marks, while the intricate footwork was also rewarded. The performance, choreography, and interpretation component scores were +9. The 174.43 total score was also a personal best.

Ekaterina Bobrova & Dmitri Soloviev (RUS) moved up to second place with an emotionally character-driven performance to the Anna Karenina soundtrack. The lifts, twizzles, and combination spin earned level 4. The judges rewarded the footwork with mostly +2 GOE marks. The 103.14 personal best score was over six points higher than at Skate Canada. The total was 169.33.

Madison Hubbell & Zachary Donohue (USA) earned a personal best 100.92 points with a dance to “Adagio for Strings” by the French electronic music duo, Daft Punk. The Montreal-based team slipped to third place, but received a personal best 167.69 total score.

4.  (160.64) Alexandra Stepanova & Ivan Bukin (RUS)

5.  (155.88) Penny Coomes & Nicholas Buckland (GBR)

6.  (138.41) Anastasia Cannuscio & Colin McManus (USA)

7.  (134.97) Kana Muramoto & Chris Reed (JPN)

8.  (115.59) Emi Hirai & Marien de la Asuncion (JPN)

ICE CHIPS

  • Maia & Alex Shibutani’s 174.43 was the highest total ice dance score for the 2015 Grand Prix Series.
  • Maia & Alex Shibutani and Bobrova & Soloviev had identical scores for their free dance step sequences – 8.99 and 9.30.
  • Maia & Alex Shibutani, Bobrova & Soloviev, and Hubbell & Donohoe had -1.00 deductions for extended lifts.
  • Hubbell & Donohoe, Stepanova & Bukin, and Coomes & Buckland performed their free dance for the first time in the GP Series due to the cancellation of the final day of the Trophee Bombard.

GRAND PRIX ICE DANCERS FINALISTS

  • (30) Kaitlyn Weaver & Andrew Poje (CAN)
  • (28) Madison Chock & Evan Bates (USA)
  • (28) Anna Cappellini & Luca Lanotte (ITA)
  • (28) Maia Shibutani & Alex Shibutani (USA)
  • (26) Madison Hubbell & Zachary Donohue (USA)
  • (24) Ekaterina Bobrova & Dmitri Soloviev (RUS)