Meeting your favourite skater - advice sought

[nippponophile]

I recently moved to Japan after having grown up in Australia, and so haven't had much experience regarding attending figure skating competitions and galas. I am very keen to have the opportunity to meet my favourite skaters (primary among which is Daisuke Takahashi), and was wondering if anyone has some general advice on the best way to do this - I'm assuming that buying tickets to comps early, so that you can get the best seats, is important, but also wondering about attending practices/warm-ups, waiting around after the competition/show, etc. I'd love to be able to pass across a gift, get an autograph, have my photo taken with my fave, but don't have any idea what's the best way.

 

[iluvtodd]

If you're lucky enough to attend a competition, try to talk to the skater after a practice session.

Watch for local appearances of skaters at rinks in your area.

If you're shy (like I am), you might want to write out your questions for the skater on an index card ahead of time to help you remember what you want to say to him/her.

Good luck! It's very exciting to meet a favorite skater!

 

[sillylionlove]

I agree. The best time to meet a skater is usually at a practice session during a competition. If you can get tickets to a practice session for a competition, then go for it. Most skaters are usually really receptive to giving autographs and taking pictures. Just remember, not all skaters speak English!!

FYI...I met Daisuke twice...once in 2005 at Skate America in Atlantic City and again in 2007 at Skate America in Reading. He was really nice both time, taking pictures and signing autographs. But I don't think he speaks that much English!!

 

[merrywidow]

I always found that staying at the same hotel was a great place to meet several skaters.

 

[Antilles]

Staying at the event hotel will certainly help. Event practice passes are great. You can sit wherever you want, so you can usually get close enough to feel the wind caused by the skaters as they fly by you. Skaters are usually quite receptive to talking/photos once they've finished their practices.

 

[Tigger]

Also, if you're meeting a skater that isn't an English speaker, try to learn Thank You in their language. I managed to remember how to say Thank You in Japanese just after Yukina Ota posed for a picture for me after the Medal Ceremony at 4CC in Hamiltion a few years ago. Her face just literally lit up like a Christmas Tree and she did a bit of a double take too.

It's just a nice touch and also a bit of "home" for them too.

 

[Tonichelle]

if you go to a competition/practice session, mostskaters will be in the stands once they are done skating (except for the 'big name' skaters who seem to hide out during the actual competition, but they do go to other events and what not)

one thing you have to do is be able to read when the right time is. If they look busy or very much into just being with their friends/family, I tend not to go up to them...

but I've met quite a few of my favorites just by them sitting around us during the competition. You just sometimes get lucky!

 

[Eevun]

but I've met quite a few of my favorites just by them sitting around us during the competition. You just sometimes get lucky!

That's a very good idea in fact! Look out for where the skaters are allowed to sit and watch when they're not at competition or practice. Often, the audience are allowed to be there too. I met Carolina Kostner and Alban Preaubert that way this Worlds (there were looots of other skaters too, but they were those I wanted to meet). If me and my friend had been more attentive we would've met Brian Joubert and Tomas Verner there too (saw them but wasn't able to go there at that time )

 

[Tonichelle]

at US nationals we almost always end up surrounded by skaters. I had Johnny Weir's foot in my face in 2005, which wasn't all that cool, but we also got to meet Naomi Lang that year and the baby... and Peter Tchernyshev.....etc....

 

[Eevun]

I had Johnny Weir's foot in my face in 2005, which wasn't all that cool

Hahahaha! I wouldn't have anything agains that.... <3 the closest I ever got to that guy was when he touch my hand while signing my photo....

 

[Tonichelle]

well considering I was trying to watch the skating I found it rude. He did put it down after I asked him to, but I would have hoped he'd have the common sense not to put his feet on the back of the seat...

then again he's my age and most of the boys in my age group are annoying

ETA - he redeemed himself in 06, though, when he opened the door for me at the official hotel lol I doubt he recognized me as the girl who glared at him though lol

Gotta be nice to him, I guess

 

[Eevun]

I would flyyyy if he opened the door for me.... (Yes, I'm obsessed with him at the moment )

 

[Tonichelle]

I can tell...

I didn't have a Johnny run in in 08, it was weird, it had felt like tradition up to that point lol

but I got to hobknob with ice dancers again so that was great... Max & Trax rock my world lol

 

[Eevun]

But the absolutely most wonderful people to meet have to be Sinead&John Kerr! That kind, sweet and down-to-earth skaters have I never met!! Lovely, lovely, lovely!! <3

 

[Tonichelle]

I've only been to US nationals, so I have yet to meet international skaters (well save for Kurt Browning who rules all when it comes to how he treats fans)

 

[Eevun]

But he is/was a US skater, right? He was before I came into figure skating, so I know very little about him, more than recognizing his name and know he's a choreographer (at least I think he is... :/)

 

[Tonichelle]

he's Canadian... so technically he's an international skater

he does choreograph, but he also still skates Tina (Teenes on here) has a great site about him - http://www.kurtfiles.com

he's simply the best !

 

[Eevun]

Okay, thanks But you hadn't met him?

 

[sfgirl]

Kerrs

I have never met the Kerrs, but they sure do seem like nice people.

 

[Tonichelle]

I did meet him in 2006, he was doing a book signing (he has a children's book) and I went to get him to sign my copy (ok well I didn't get a copy until I got there but whatever lol) and there weren't many people in line and so we got to chat with him for a little bit

I told him that my brother said if I ever met him to tell him hi and that he was a big fan... and he asked a few questions about Duane (my brother is adopted and ADORES Kurt) and then he pulled out a brand new book and signed it for Duane's birthday which was later that month...

so yeah, he rules all