Latest news with #PyeongchangGames
Independent Singapore
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Independent Singapore
Maia and Alex Shibutani to make figure skating comeback in the 2026 Winter Olympics
INTERNATIONAL: Siblings Maia and Alex Shibutani are making a highly anticipated comeback to figure skating. The duo, known as the 'Shib Sibs,' recently announced that they will be competing in the next season, as they have their goal set on the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. The siblings have been missing in action for more than seven years since they last represented Team USA and won bronze in ice dance at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games. The athletes, now 30 and 34 years old, are ready to step back onto the ice and claim victory once again. In a news release, Alex expressed: ' Our experiences and the new skills we've developed during our time away from competition have brought us different perspectives and created some exciting new possibilities… We don't take any of this for granted. We're really enjoying the process and look forward to performing and competing together again.' A social media post by the Olympics shared: 'Maia and Alex Shibutani are back! 👀⛸️😍 The two-time Olympic medallists have announced their return to ice dance competition ahead of @milanocortina2026 Winter Olympic Games, after seven years away.' Netizens commented on the post and said: 'We can't wait to see them return! ❤️', 'I love you guys! Congratulations on your return!', 'I'm so excited to see them on the ice again!', and 'I can't wait 😍😍😍. I missed them so much ❤️' Get to know the Shib Sibs The Shibutani siblings are one of the most successful ice dance teams in US history. They made their debut at the senior world championships in 2011, and since then, they have earned three world medals, two national titles, and two Olympic medals–one in ice dance and another in a team event at the 2018 Winter Games. In 2023, they were inducted into the US Figure Skating Hall of Fame, during their first year of eligibility. Many believe that their competitive careers had ended after the 2018 Winter Olympics. The siblings did not compete at the 2018 World Championships and planned to take a year off. Unfortunately, during their break, Maia faced a serious health problem and underwent surgery in 2019 to remove a cancerous tumour from one of her kidneys. As Maia recovered, both of them explored interests outside the ice. They were able to write four children's books and got involved in creative work like choreography and photography. Maia admitted in a statement: 'These past seven years have challenged and inspired us in ways we never expected…I'm so happy and grateful to be healthy and in a position to make the decision to return to the sport I love in this way.' As part of their preparation, the Shibutanis announced they'd be training with their longtime coaches, Marina Zoueva and Massimo Scali, as they aim for a third Olympic appearance. Truly, their comeback brings more thrill and excitement to an already competitive US ice dance scene. At the recent World Championships in Boston, Madison Chock and Evan Bates won their third straight title. Moreover, Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko finished fifth, and Caroline Green and Michael Parsons placed ninth. With only three spots available for US teams at the 2026 Olympics in Milan, the qualifications would definitely be thrilling and intense.
USA Today
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Maia and Alex Shibutani announce figure skating comeback ahead of 2026 Winter Olympics
Hear this story Maia and Alex Shibutani are making a stunning return to competitive figure skating. The "Shib Sibs" announced Thursday morning that they will be back in competition next season ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, returning to the sport more than seven years after they last skated for Team USA. Maia Shibutani, now 30, and Alex Shibutani, now 34, stepped away from figure skating after winning Olympic bronze in ice dance at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games. "Our experiences and the new skills we've developed during our time away from competition have brought us different perspectives and created some exciting new possibilities," Alex Shibutani said in a news release. "We don't take any of this for granted. We're really enjoying the process and look forward to performing and competing together again." The Shibutani siblings are among the most prominent ice dancing teams in U.S. history. After making their senior world championships debut in 2011, they went on to win three world medals, two national titles and two Olympic medals − in the ice dance and team events at the 2018 Games. They were inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 2023, which was their first year of eligibility. While the Shibutanis never formally announced their retirement, they were thought to be done after the 2018 Winter Olympics. Following those Games, they declined to compete at the 2018 world championships and said they would be taking a year off. Maia Shibutani then had surgery in late 2019 to remove a tumor from one of her kidneys, which was found to be cancerous. As she recovered, the siblings began to shift their focus to other endeavors, writing four children's books and trying new roles in choreography, photography and other creative lanes. "These past seven years have challenged and inspired us in ways we never expected," Maia Shibutani said in a statement. "I'm so happy and grateful to be healthy and in a position to make the decision to return to the sport I love in this way." The Shibutanis announced they will be training with two of their longtime coaches, Marina Zoueva and Massimo Scali − presumably with hopes of making it back to the Olympic Games for a third time. They finished ninth at the 2014 Sochi Games. The "Shib Sibs" will join a competitive U.S. ice dancing field that had one of its best ever performances at the most recent world figure skating championships in Boston, led by Madison Chock and Evan Bates, who won their third consecutive title. Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko finished just off the podium in fifth, followed by Caroline Green and Michael Parsons in ninth. Only three U.S. ice dance teams will compete in Milan. Contact Tom Schad at tschad@ or on social media @
CBC
20-03-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Versatile Ledecka wins parallel giant slalom at snowboard world championships
Social Sharing Ester Ledecka added another trophy to her collection of silverware when she won the parallel giant slalom at the snowboard world championships on Thursday in St. Moritz, Switzerland. The three-time Olympic champion, who won bronze in the downhill at the alpine skiing worlds in February, was in a class of her own and dominated qualification then easily defeated all of her rivals en route to the final. There, she beat the defending women's parallel giant slalom champion Miki Tsubaki of Japan. It was Ledecka's first snowboard world title in eight years. The versatile Czech athlete already had two golds and a silver from parallel giant slalom races at the snowboarding worlds in 2015 and 2017. WATCH | Ledecka wins her 3rd PGS world championship title: 2-time defending Olympic champ Ester Ledecká wins her 3rd PGS world championship title 1 hour ago Duration 6:22 The 2018 and 2022 Olympic snowboard champion from the Czech Republic claimed her third parallel giant slalom world title at the FIS snowboard world championships in Corviglia, Switzerland. "It's awesome," Ledecka said. "I haven't competed in a world championships since (2017) because it was difficult with timing because of skiing events." Aleksandra Krol-Walas of Poland won the bronze medal race over Ladina Caviezel of Switzerland. Ledecka famously won Olympic gold in skiing's super-G and snowboarding's parallel GS at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, and added another gold on her board in 2022 in Beijing. A scheduling issue at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics — where the parallel GS in snowboarding and the Alpine downhill are both set for Feb. 8 at venues hours apart — might deny her a chance to replicate that achievement from 2018. Roland Fischnaller of Italy, who is 44, won the men's title by defeating Stefan Baumeister of Germany in the final. Lee Sang-ho won the bronze medal. Italy's Roland Fischnaller claims his 2nd career snowboard PGS world title 1 hour ago Duration 5:21 Fischnaller won the men's parallel giant slalom gold medal, at the FIS snowboard world championships in Corviglia, Switzerland.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Versatile Ledecka wins parallel giant slalom at snowboard world championships
ST. MORITZ, Switzerland (AP) — Ester Ledecka added another trophy to her collection of silverware when she won the parallel giant slalom at the snowboard world championships on Thursday. The three-time Olympic champion, who won bronze in the downhill at the Alpine skiing worlds in February, was in a class of her own and dominated qualification then easily defeated all of her rivals en route to the final. There, she beat the defending women's parallel giant slalom champion Miki Tsubaki of Japan. It was Ledecka's first snowboard world title in eight years. The versatile Czech athlete already had two golds and a silver from parallel giant slalom races at the snowboarding worlds in 2015 and 2017. 'It's awesome,' Ledecka said. 'I haven't competed in a world championships since (2017) because it was difficult with timing because of skiing events.' Aleksandra Krol-Walas of Poland won the bronze medal race over Ladina Caviezel of Switzerland. Ledecka famously won Olympic gold in skiing's super-G and snowboarding's parallel GS at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, and added another gold on her board in 2022 in Beijing. A scheduling issue at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics — where the parallel GS in snowboarding and the Alpine downhill are both set for Feb. 8 at venues hours apart — might deny her a chance to replicate that achievement from 2018. Roland Fischnaller of Italy, who is 44, won the men's title by defeating Stefan Baumeister of Germany in the final. Lee Sang-ho won the bronze medal. ___ AP sports:
Associated Press
20-03-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Versatile Ledecka wins parallel giant slalom at snowboard world championships
ST. MORITZ, Switzerland (AP) — Ester Ledecka added another trophy to her collection of silverware when she won the parallel giant slalom at the snowboard world championships on Thursday. The three-time Olympic champion, who won bronze in the downhill at the Alpine skiing worlds in February, was in a class of her own and dominated qualification then easily defeated all of her rivals en route to the final. There, she beat the defending women's parallel giant slalom champion Miki Tsubaki of Japan. It was Ledecka's first snowboard world title in eight years. The versatile Czech athlete already had two golds and a silver from parallel giant slalom races at the snowboarding worlds in 2015 and 2017. 'It's awesome,' Ledecka said. 'I haven't competed in a world championships since (2017) because it was difficult with timing because of skiing events.' Aleksandra Krol-Walas of Poland won the bronze medal race over Ladina Caviezel of Switzerland. Ledecka famously won Olympic gold in skiing's super-G and snowboarding's parallel GS at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, and added another gold on her board in 2022 in Beijing. A scheduling issue at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics — where the parallel GS in snowboarding and the Alpine downhill are both set for Feb. 8 at venues hours apart — might deny her a chance to replicate that achievement from 2018. Roland Fischnaller of Italy, who is 44, won the men's title by defeating Stefan Baumeister of Germany in the final. Lee Sang-ho won the bronze medal. ___
