Massimo Scali: “I got used to the fact that now dancers can skate just holding hands. But for Shibutani, it was a shock. At first, they kept asking me, “Is this really allowed? Are you sure? It looks way too simple.”
Coach Scali talks about how he reacted to the Shibutani duo’s decision to return to the sport.
original source: Sports by Maya Bagriantseva
In an interview with Sports journalist Maya Bagryantseva, coach Massimo Scali shares his experience working with Maia and Alex Shibutani as they return to competitive ice dancing after a seven-year hiatus. Here’s a translation of his comments.
“Q: This season, Maia and Alex Shibutani have returned to you as students.
Massimo Scali: Yes, now my time is split evenly between them and Alysa.
I was fortunate that when they all decided to come back, I was working independently. As a freelance coach, I can manage my schedule as I see fit. So I explained to everyone I worked with that for a year and a half, I would be fully dedicated to this ice dance pair and this singles skater. My focus is 100% on them.
Q: Were you surprised by their call?
Massimo Scali: Oh my, it was like a dream. Of course, we stayed in touch all these years, and when they wrote last fall, “Can we call you?” I thought it was about a show – that they needed help with choreography.
But when they said they wanted to return to competitive skating, it was crazy. Naturally, I didn’t hesitate for a second and immediately said I was thrilled with the idea. For me, the crazier the plan looks, the better.
I love challenges, and there are so many here to go around: ambition, complex tasks, creative ideas. But most importantly, this comeback can inspire so many people – it’s an incredible story.
Q: But ice dance has changed a lot in seven years.
Massimo Scali: Oh, yes. We had to work hard. New rules, new requirements, new challenges. I told them right away: guys, you can’t just come back. You have to return stronger and better than you were seven years ago. And I know it’s possible – they have everything they need: technique, body control, mindset. They are a smart and strong team, and I want them to come back to the ice as different skaters.
It’s not easy. We spent countless hours on the ice, creating a new language for their new story. We worked a lot on technique, skating skills, smoothness – and, of course, on elements.
The Shibutanis belong to a different generation of dancers. Back then, there were different rules, a different skating style – it was practically a different sport. Even dance positions were completely different, much closer together. It was hard for them to get used to this.
I’m a choreographer, and I’ve been immersed in ice dance all these years, so I got used to the fact that now dancers can skate just holding hands. But for them, it was a shock. At first, they kept asking me, “Massi, is this really allowed? Are you sure? It looks way too simple.”
Q: Were there problems with lifts? It seems there’s more focus on acrobatics now.
Massimo Scali: There are more requirements for lifts than ten years ago. So we had to study the tiniest technical details closely – to avoid losing levels. But our goal wasn’t to invent something radically new. We just needed to adapt their skills to today’s standards.
Most of our work was on skating skills and knee action. Yes, I may be a bit biased, but I think you’ll like it.
Q: Why do you think they came back?
Massimo Scali: Because they still have more to say on the ice. When they decided to end their careers, it felt like they were doing it at their peak – that their story on the ice was finished. But seven years passed, so much happened in their lives, and they realized they still have something to show in figure skating.
It wasn’t a grand decision to return. At first, we just went out on the ice and tried skating. It took a couple of months to see what we could do. And those months proved that they have something to come back with. The closer we got to the final decision, the more we all liked the result.”
Related topics: Maia Shibutani Alex Shibutani, Massimo Scali
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