Nat's Practice Issues

[dwiggin3]

I just made my plane reservations so my mom and I are ready to go. I was happy to get a great fare for both of us.

No, onto the practices. What is the official word on open practices? Are there any and if so, are they open to anyone who is willing to pay (a reasonable price) or just those with all-event tickets?..

Any news?

 

[chuckm]

It's my understanding that many of the practices have been moved to another venue, and because it's too small and has limited seating arrangements, even the all-event ticket holders won't be allowed in. There was a huge discussion on the FSU board about that very subject.

 

[Tonichelle]

we have one going here too

AFAIK the only way to see the practices are if you are an all events ticket holder and then we only have 2 or 3 practices they're allowing us to see (USFSA got a really upset email from me when they asked me to become a 'friend of figure skating' the other day... considering they haven't been too FRIENDLY to fans I told them no lol)

guess we'll just have more time to check out the sights and sounds of St. Paul (They are having their winter carnival just up the street from the excel center... which I plan on checking out.)

 

[merrybari]

Is limited space at the secondary arena the cause of limiting practice passes?

I have only the Championship weekend package this year, adding men's SP and the EX on too. I am planning on all events next year - primarily because I enjoy the practices so much.

I think usfsa and the event organizers should re-think limiting attendance to practices. If I can't get in, I may go back to just the weekend deal - if it's offered.

Guess it's too soon to know for 2009.

 

[Tonichelle]

well rumors have been that they've been trying to do away with practices for the audience for a while now... no idea why

but yes they are saying it's due to space that they aren't allowing more open practices (which is dumb considering not that many people make it to all the practices)

I think it has more to do with the practices being open seating and the fact that it's easy to take a seat that is not yours and staying in it for as long as possible during the competitions...

 

[Tinymavy15]

As much as I love watching the practices (somtimes more than the actuall event) i can only assume that the skaters would rather train by themselves with no audince. I guess this means no media cameras either.... it would be unfair to make room for the media and not for us fans. Are the judges going to attend the practices? I think that thier presence must be a real nerve factor for the skaters.

 

[Tonichelle]

I don't think the audience disturbs the skaters at all considering the crowds are HUGE during the event compared to the practices...

I love going and hobknobbing with skaters and their families... it's always a lot of fun, and I'm bummed I don't get to do that this time around...

 

[MFarone]

Practices

Way back when this started in August I spoke to a lady involved in St. Paul Figure Skating. She told me that the rink only seats about 100 (internet says 300) and after fitting in the skaters, coaches and other credentialed people there would be no space for fans. I'm guessing that the media would be credentialed people and would have no problem gaining admission to Pleasant Arena. The other problem that she mentioned to me was that there was only one ladies and men's room so USFSA could not provide security for the skaters.

I believe the only people who won't be able to attend the practices are fans.

Maureen

 

[Tonichelle]

it makes sense, in a way, but at the same time it's odd that they chose to deal with it the way they have...

 

[Eddie Lee]

well rumors have been that they've been trying to do away with practices for the audience for a while now... no idea whybut yes they are saying it's due to space that they aren't allowing more open practices (which is dumb considering not that many people make it to all the practices) I think it has more to do with the practices being open seating and the fact that it's easy to take a seat that is not yours and staying in it for as long as possible during the competitions...

  The reason practice sessions are open seating is simply that there are so few observers at the practices that it would be foolish to require anyone to sit in a specific seat.  (I .E. there would be a few hundred people at most scattered across a venue that seats many thousands.) My wife and I just grabbed the closest, easiest seats to slip into during practice sessions.  If none were available, and someone was sitting in our assigned seats, we would not have hesitated to have them move.

As much as I love watching the practices (somtimes more than the actuall event) i can only assume that the skaters would rather train by themselves with no audince. I guess this means no media cameras either.... it would be unfair to make room for the media and not for us fans. Are the judges going to attend the practices?  I think that thier presence must be a real nerve factor for the skaters.

I think the reason for closing practices is still unclear.  Only a few attend these--and indeed they are a highlight to many of us.  I can't imagine that the skaters would mind the general public's observing the practices.  OTOH I can imagine that they (and their coaches) would prefer that judges not be present.  But I don't think that will change.  Some participants might prefer that media not be present, but I'm unsure about that.  In St. Louis they were in John Nicks' and Sasha's faces every moment of every practice.  A camera and mike boom followed her every move.  Quite distracting.  If allowed, I have a sneaky suspicion that they will be all over Caroline at this National's.  I think she's the big news this time!

 

[Tonichelle]

  The reason practice sessions are open seating is simply that there are so few observers at the practices that it would be foolish to require anyone to sit in a specific seat.  (I .E. there would be a few hundred people at most scattered across a venue that seats many thousands.) My wife and I just grabbed the closest, easiest seats to slip into during practice sessions.  If none were available, and someone was sitting in our assigned seats, we would not have hesitated to have them move.

I think you misunderstood what I was saying. I know very well that it's open seating during the practices. However there are some people who will stay in those seats hoping no one moves in and wants them (ie payed for them) for the competitions... it does happen, and I'm sure it annoys the ticket sellers considering those people could have paid for nose bleed section tickets and are now sitting front row

 

[merrybari]

I think you're right about ticket sellers being upset about some paying for the cheap seats and then sitting in the higher priced ones.

From my perspective - what difference does it really make? That high price seat would be empty anyway - so what if someone is sitting there? At least they paid something to get in, which they might not have done at all, then the seller would be out even the price of the cheap seat..

Plus it makes it better, IMO, for the skaters if the audience is "filled in" rather than scattered.

Just some food for thought.

 

[Tonichelle]

I can see both sides... and I can't say that I'm guiltless of being one to 'sneak better seats' but I guess it is still stealing... and it's always awkward when the people who actually have those seats come up with a confused look and you have to move out of their way lol

 

[merrybari]

Yeah - you're right.