tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1122543335597604643.post9178766527726030899..comments2023-08-17T06:28:31.197-04:00Comments on BackStage Barbie: 2013 Skate America: Ice Dance PreviewBackStage Barbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11448001308800478856noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1122543335597604643.post-19457625801679382472013-10-18T11:17:20.445-04:002013-10-18T11:17:20.445-04:00*high quality technical skating of the Shibutanis....*high quality technical skating of the Shibutanis...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1122543335597604643.post-16676308751811364902013-10-18T10:42:41.735-04:002013-10-18T10:42:41.735-04:00I won't argue with the high quality skating of...I won't argue with the high quality skating of the Shibutanis. They have been together long enough to develop nicely in that area. In other areas, I think they're underdeveloped. However, the success of Chock and Bates has less to do with the level of their skating and more with Igor's pull with officials/judges. Yes he is a great technical coach, but his reputation as a premier coach, more often than not, gets the nod for his students when all things are equal. USFS wants to be in good favor with him so they'll throw as much support as they can to his top U.S. team. I think Hubbell and Donohue are better, but will have to endure the politics in U.S Ice Dance until Meryl and Charlie retire. It's a shame.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com