2017 Worlds Helsinki Info and Chat

[YesWay]

Speaking of which

Practice groups are up

http://www.isu.org/en/single-and-pa...201617/isu-world-figure-skating-championships

Oh... I see Hanyu is in practice group1 on Monday (11:15 - 11:45), and on Tuesday (06:15 - 06:55)... so maybe the "seat-blankets" will be less of a problem...?

Then again, coloured time schedule was updated today... and there is a number shown for each practice session... is that the practice group number? That would mean Hanyu is actually in the last practice group on Tuesday (09:55 - 10:35)...

 

[Winnie_20]

What the...?!
Please let it not be true! :-/

I will have the seat I paid for. The seat number is on my practice seats, that is all there is to it. They cannot go back on this now.

 

[Camillo]

What the...?!

And here was me thinking what a great and civilised thing it was, to put seat numbers on practice tickets... no rushing... no seats "reserved" by blankets and then left empty all day except for the 40 minutes when Hanyu is practicing...

Please let it not be true! :-/

Umm, guys, calm down. I'm sure when you show your ticket to the person occupying your seat, you'll get it back without problem.

Personally I'm really happy with their decision: now I don't have to seat on my place on the Balcony during practices when there are plenty of empty seats on lower levels

 

[Pamigena]

Please let us know how they respond! I am feeling a bit anxious about this as well, even though my ticketed seats are not that good - I just want the reassurance!

I also wrote them. But I don't expect a reply, to be honest. I've written them twice in the last couple of weeks, and I have gotten exactly 0 replies. I also wrote them once in January, and it only took them four weeks to send an answer. No expectations here.

Then again, coloured time schedule was updated today... and there is a number shown for each practice session... is that the practice group number? That would mean Hanyu is actually in the last practice group on Tuesday...

Yes, that's the way I read the plan. (on the music rotation sheet it also says 09:55 on Tuesday, so that would fit). I think practice groups get rotated so that not always the skaters in group one get the honor of being the first ones on the ice each day.

Umm, guys, calm down. I'm sure when you show your ticket to the person occupying your seat, you'll get it back without problem.

In Barcelona two years ago, two gals got into a serious shouting match because someone dared to remove a scarf to sit on a seat that had been unoccupied for hours. Being civil about seats is not something I expect but only hope for.

 

[YesWay]

I also wrote them. But I don't expect a reply, to be honest. I've written them twice in the last couple of weeks, and I have gotten exactly 0 replies. I also wrote them once in January, and it only took them four weeks to send an answer. No expectations here.

Complaints are probably more effective on their Facebook page... visible to all, and with thumbs.

However, there may be little point in complaining anyway: I suspect there may be just as many - if not more - people who have not-so-good seat numbers, and want free seating. I myself stand to gain, because my seat is far from the rink.

But I don't like it all the same - it's just poor form to sell tickets with seat numbers, and then not honour them... some people might not have bought their tickets at all if they'd known this would happen. And what about people who don't find out about this before they arrive, this is going to cause countless arguments and bad feeling with people occupying their seats. Plus I get annoyed by the "reserved-by-blanket" seats that remain empty most of the day...

Say what you like about French organisers, but at least they are upfront about it when it's free-placement...

 

[Winnie_20]

Umm, guys, calm down. I'm sure when you show your ticket to the person occupying your seat, you'll get it back without problem.

Personally I'm really happy with their decision: now I don't have to seat on my place on the Balcony during practices when there are plenty of empty seats on lower levels

I guess You have a lot more faith in humankind than me. ;-)
If the "official" line is that seats are not reserved, nobody is gonna release their good seats if someone else demands that seat, not even with a ticket with seat number. I, too, have witnessed catfights for "reserved" seats when it comes to certain Japanese skaters. Fans can be very... fanatic.

 

[Tomoco]

According to the following tweet, All-event ticket holders can sit on their own seats.

https://twitter.com/charliebenbrown/status/844893964293451776

 

[Winnie_20]

According to the following tweet, All-event ticket holders can sit on their own seats.

https://twitter.com/charliebenbrown/status/844893964293451776

Luv you!!!! Thanks!! Breathing easy again now!

 

[Camillo]

In Barcelona two years ago, two gals got into a serious shouting match because someone dared to remove a scarf to sit on a seat that had been unoccupied for hours. Being civil about seats is not something I expect but only hope for.

I suspect the best places on ice level 1 in any case are bought by Japanese ladies who visit only Hanyu's practice. So at least they won't come at 6 AM to put their scarves on the seats

 

[Pamigena]

I suspect the best places on ice level 1 in any case are bought by Japanese ladies who visit only Hanyu's practice. So at least they won't come at 6 AM to put their scarves on the seats

Well, that is exactly what happened in Barcelona 2014 and 2015, when there was free seating for everyone at practices :roll9: As soon as the doors opened in the morning, there would be hordes of Japanese ladies who then reserved entire rows of seats with scarves and blankets. They would take shifts to protect those seats, but 90% of the seats were unoccupied for hours, until the men (or rather: the man) appeared for practice. I don't know if we just ended up in the especially crazy part of the arena, but where we were sitting, when someone asked if they could sit on an unoccupied seat, it was never "yes sure, you can sit here until my friend comes back", but it was always a major issue, and sometimes it turned really ugly (not kidding about the catfights. The only thing they did not do is actually hit each other). So that is something that I can definitely do without. And I'm pretty sure loads of people don't mind that they don't have to worry about unoccupied-blanket-seats all over the place.

 

[atsumiri]

Well, that is exactly what happened in Barcelona 2014 and 2015, when there was free seating for everyone at practices :roll9: As soon as the doors opened in the morning, there would be hordes of Japanese ladies who then reserved entire rows of seats with scarves and blankets. They would take shifts to protect those seats, but 90% of the seats were unoccupied for hours, until the men (or rather: the man) appeared for practice. I don't know if we just ended up in the especially crazy part of the arena, but where we were sitting, when someone asked if they could sit on an unoccupied seat, it was never "yes sure, you can sit here until my friend comes back", but it was always a major issue, and sometimes it turned really ugly (not kidding about the catfights. The only thing they did not do is actually hit each other). So that is something that I can definitely do without. And I'm pretty sure loads of people don't mind that they don't have to worry about unoccupied-blanket-seats all over the place.

:shocked::shocked:
I had no idea..... that they behave like this....

 

[Camillo]

Well, that is exactly what happened in Barcelona 2014 and 2015, when there was free seating for everyone at practices :roll9: As soon as the doors opened in the morning, there would be hordes of Japanese ladies who then reserved entire rows of seats with scarves and blankets. They would take shifts to protect those seats, but 90% of the seats were unoccupied for hours, until the men (or rather: the man) appeared for practice. I don't know if we just ended up in the especially crazy part of the arena, but where we were sitting, when someone asked if they could sit on an unoccupied seat, it was never "yes sure, you can sit here until my friend comes back", but it was always a major issue, and sometimes it turned really ugly (not kidding about the catfights. The only thing they did not do is actually hit each other).

Well, I was at Barca 2014 and 2015 both. Yes, Japanese ladies are tough but it sounds much scarier now than it was back then

So that is something that I can definitely do without.
And I'm pretty sure loads of people don't mind that they don't have to worry about unoccupied-blanket-seats all over the place.

True

I also have a reply from WC2017 orgs:
"For balcony AE ticket holders the seats are in the lower tribune.
It is kind of free seating but AE ticket holders from lower tribune probably will sit at their own seats."

 

[Winnie_20]

:shocked::shocked:
I had no idea..... that they behave like this....

Not all, but yeah, we've seen some very, shall I say, "devoted" fans. ;-)

 

[xeyra]

Not all, but yeah, we've seen some very, shall I say, "devoted" fans. ;-)

Well, if this is what usually happens, I'm somewhat kind of glad I can't afford to go to these things and have to catch things on TV/livestream... It's stressful enough there, anyway!

 

[Winnie_20]

Well, if this is what usually happens, I'm somewhat kind of glad I can't afford to go to these things and have to catch things on TV/livestream... It's stressful enough there, anyway!

Nah, it's not like that. Just a few... interesting people. On the whole, loveliest audience I know!

 

[TT_Fin]

I was at massage today and listened to radio at the same time. They said that there will masses of Japanese tourist next week, because of the Figure Skating. So there will be plenty of people in practice if they like to go to watch it. I have just decided not by tickets to practice and this is one in thing which made. Be kind and inform the arrangarer. On the other hand, Finnish peace officers (is this the right word?) are often strict, so they may not allow reservations with blankets, especially when there is plenty of people. Finns themselves are eager to reserve seats. Because our culture is "nobody stranger is going to sit next to me".
http://finnishnightmares.blogspot.fi/2016/02/where-to-go.html
http://finnishnightmares.blogspot.fi/2016/01/personal-space-is-valued.html

 

[TMC]

That is cool!

But, I must have my hot breakfast... including the bacon, scrambled eggs, hot coffee etc... plates, knives and forks, proper cups and glasses... sitting at a table... etc :-D

I know what you mean, I'm a sucker for hotel breakfasts, too

 

[YesWay]

I was at massage today and listened to radio at the same time. They said that there will masses of Japanese tourist next week, because of the Figure Skating. So there will be plenty of people in practice if they like to go to watch it. I have just decided not by tickets to practice and this is one in thing which made. Be kind and inform the arrangarer. On the other hand, Finnish peace officers (is this the right word?) are often strict, so they may not allow reservations with blankets, especially when there is plenty of people. Finns themselves are eager to reserve seats. Because our culture is "nobody stranger is going to sit next to me".
http://finnishnightmares.blogspot.fi/2016/02/where-to-go.html
http://finnishnightmares.blogspot.fi/2016/01/personal-space-is-valued.html

Haha! Those "Finnish nightmares" LOL :-D

 

[Winnie_20]

So... anyone else notice the map of the lower level at Hartwall (as featured in the smartphone app) shows a booth for Milano 2018?
Hohum... so why no tickets online yet? I really really really do not want to have to queue up for days to buy tickets at that booth. :-/

 

[Barb]

I was at massage today and listened to radio at the same time. They said that there will masses of Japanese tourist next week, because of the Figure Skating. So there will be plenty of people in practice if they like to go to watch it. I have just decided not by tickets to practice and this is one in thing which made. Be kind and inform the arrangarer. On the other hand, Finnish peace officers (is this the right word?) are often strict, so they may not allow reservations with blankets, especially when there is plenty of people. Finns themselves are eager to reserve seats. Because our culture is "nobody stranger is going to sit next to me".
http://finnishnightmares.blogspot.fi/2016/02/where-to-go.html
http://finnishnightmares.blogspot.fi/2016/01/personal-space-is-valued.html

Finnish nightmares are my nightmares too