2017 Worlds Helsinki Info and Chat

[Jaana]

I can't remember Boston prices, but at KC at U.S. Nats a few weeks ago, a hot dog (which was kind of a specialty hot dog topped with cheese and bar-b-q) was $9.50. Think a regular hot dog was $7.50 USD. Not a coffee drinker, but pretty sure bottles of Pepsi and water were $5. My friend bought popcorn, and I think it was $7 (it was a BIG container). I'm just glad they take credit cards at Hartwall which will hopefully make my life easier and I won't run out of Euros and have to change more money.

In your place I would find out which are the exact credit cards they accept there, sometimes even American Express card is an unfortunate exception... And whether the credit cards apply to fast food, etc.?

http://hartwallarena.fi/en/visitors/food-drink/fast-food

 

[Arriba627]

The Frequently Asked Questions section on their website has a lot of good information, but I don't know why it says they accept all credit cards and then they only mention Visa is accepted at certain restaurants. I have emailed them for clarification and also to find out if there is Wi Fi in the arena.

http://hartwallarena.fi/en/frequently-asked-questions

 

[el henry]

They are really making an effort with the food. I mean it looks like it's going to be amazing (fresh fruit, healthy options etc), but obviously it's also going to cost an arm and a leg. They have curated a special menu for figure skating fans (read women 45-65 years of age), so it's going to be different from what is usually served at the Arena.

Good for Finland: very smart people, both for food and figuring out the demographics:yes:

 

[Rissa]

Dunno, but thermo flasks look like bottles...you think they will be allowed? I was planning to bring one in my bag, but now I have some doubts. Maybe if it's a thermo mug will be easyer?

I have no idea, to be honest. It may be that only bottles are forbidden, or all drink containers, but the security didn't think to mention it because they didn't think people would try to cheat the system.

 

[Arriba627]

I received a quick response to my 2 questions I sent. I sent my email to: [email protected]

1) What credit cards are accepted at the arena? The restaurants accept Visa and Master Card. No American Express.

2) Does the arena have Wi Fi? No

 

[Winnie_20]

2) Does the arena have Wi Fi? No

Thanks! I expect there is wifi, but only for press and media and such, password-protected.

I got a smartphone earlier this week with an unlimited data contract in the EU, so at least that should take care of the internet access while there, assuming the arena has decent mobile coverage.

 

[Merjan]

I got an answer about the small medal ceremonies. They will be at "press centre". Sounds like a place where normal spectators can't go... I'm not sure though.
In Finnish:" MM-kisojen pikkumitalit jaetaan pressikeskuksessa."
It's cold in Helsinki, - 16 C today.

 

[TMC]

I got an answer about the small medal ceremonies. They will be at "press centre". Sounds like a place where normal spectators can't go... I'm not sure though.
In Finnish:" MM-kisojen pikkumitalit jaetaan pressikeskuksessa."
It's cold in Helsinki, - 16 C today.

Yeah it's definitely off-limits. Sounds like the small medal ceremony will just be a part of the regular presser?

It's cold today, but I hear it's going to be as warm as +5 next week

 

[tzazu]

It's cold in Helsinki, - 16 C today.

Yes, please, warmer next week

 

[beki]

Wow, I'm surprised there's no wifi. Bad news for me.

 

[Arriba627]

^^^Yes, sorry there is no wi fi. I don't have a smart phone but like to use my Kindle (especially during practices) to post photos and practice reports. When I am not able to attend a competition, the live, on-site reports posted by other GSers are like gold, and I was hoping to return the favor. But I guess others will have their phones.

ETA -- Helsinki weather. -16 C = 3 F. Just a little chilly.

 

[sallycinnamon]

Yes, if possible, I'd like to return the favour too and post reports especially from practices. I have no internet on my smartphone atm but I think I will pay for it for the week when I will be there in Helsinki.

I hope that the weather won't be that cold, +5-10 C would be fine. It is unpredictable a bit, last year in Bratislava it was quite warm in January while it was ice cold and windy during JWC in Hungary.

 

[Winnie_20]

I'm certainly not going to be doing much reporting on the skaters and what they're doing, because a. I don't care about trying to get as close to skaters outside the skating rink as possible to meet them, and b. I can identify the axel, but only sort of know a few of the other jumps, and the levels of step sequences and rules of the spins and stuff, not a chance. So I'll definitely leave that to the experts.

 

[Arriba627]

I don't try to get close to them and am not much good at detailed jump reports, but sometimes fun, unexpected things happen. At SA I happened to bump into Nobu Oda from Japan, Jason came out with what looked like a pair of shorts over his practice clothes {{}}, and other fun stuff too. The trick is to not get too hung up on looking at devices and end up missing the live action.

 

[Jaana]

/QUOTE]

It is a bit warmer now and forecast for next week even warmer: http://www.foreca.fi/Finland/Helsinki/tenday

The arena will be really cold though and the closer one sits to the ice, the colder it will feel... But the ice will be good for skaters!

 

[nobutan]

Do we have an official list on who will be at Worlds yet?

 

[Pamigena]

Do we have an official list on who will be at Worlds yet?

So far we have this

 

[TMC]

Do we have an official list on who will be at Worlds yet?

I think the official deadline is 6th of March, so we should get one pretty soon after that date.

 

[sallycinnamon]

I'm certainly not going to be doing much reporting on the skaters and what they're doing, because a. I don't care about trying to get as close to skaters outside the skating rink as possible to meet them, and b. I can identify the axel, but only sort of know a few of the other jumps, and the levels of step sequences and rules of the spins and stuff, not a chance. So I'll definitely leave that to the experts.

I don't try to get close to them and am not much good at detailed jump reports, but sometimes fun, unexpected things happen. At SA I happened to bump into Nobu Oda from Japan, Jason came out with what looked like a pair of shorts over his practice clothes {{}}, and other fun stuff too. The trick is to not get too hung up on looking at devices and end up missing the live action.

I also don't want to stalk skaters because 1. there will be thousands of fans anyway who will try to get close to them and it must be so annoying 2. it's the world championships, the most important event of a skater's life in a season, it is just better to leave them alone to focus on what's important to them

I don't want to miss the live events, so I would only like to share on-site reports when something funny happens/I bump into someone/I'll be at the official practice and I can share some news.

 

[YesWay]

If I do any onsite reports it will be much like the ones I posted in the GP Final thread... mostly stuff about what it's like to be there, and general observations or "incidents" involving skaters... rather than detailed practice reports, skater critiques, etc...

And on a completely unrelated note, I am currently contemplating my (already sizable) collection of flags, and whether to get a few more to bring along. I'm thinking... Hungary (Ivett Toth!)... Sweden (I have been enjoying Majorov's programs this year, especially his SP)... Belgium (Jorik and Loena!)... maybe Latvia (Vasiljevs, Kuchvalska)... maybe Slovakia (Rajicova)...