2027 US Nats; 2026 Skate America locations announced

[CoyoteChris]

Are you a FOFS, or just on the email list? I registered for the email list, but haven't gotten a confirmation email many hours later. They said it may take 24 hours????? Do they use an army of typing gnomes instead of automation?

I am FOFS so I got the "Go" email this morning to buy tickets for Nationals only, starting at 9 am PDT with the secret code. Those on the email list, I am told, will get their email tomorrow morning with their own code. I am also on the email list and the confirmation for that was about 24 hours actually. Then, as I understand it, Thursday morning the tickets will be open to the public. PaulE and I think there may be a possibility that the first two rows will be P1A pricing and may also be padded folding chairs without arm rests. I tried these at Greensboro and couldnt take them with my medical issue.
Further, the email said that SA was put off to a further date....

 

[ra7_78]

I've got a question for those who have gone to skating competitions; where do you recommend sitting? Behind the judges or across from them? How close to the ice? I've been to COI (nosebleed seats) in the 90s and more recently SOI (and Sun Valley On Ice; both front row), but never a competition. Assuming will have to be mindful of where the TV cameras are placed too. Hoping to talk my sister into attending Skate America with me.

 

[NanaPat]

I've got a question for those who have gone to skating competitions; where do you recommend sitting? Behind the judges or across from them? How close to the ice? I've been to COI (nosebleed seats) in the 90s and more recently SOI (and Sun Valley On Ice; both front row), but never a competition. Assuming will have to be mindful of where the TV cameras are placed too. Hoping to talk my sister into attending Skate America with me.

I like to sit on the short end for competitions (but not for shows, where programs are constructed differently). Most singles and pairs programs are constructed with the jumps, throws, etc at the end of the ice/in a corner. When you sit on the end, you will get an excellent close-up view of about half the elements, and a far-off but unobstructed view of the other half. This seems like a good trade-off for me. I have sat on the sides and found that I can't even see part of the ice! If you sit on the judges side, you may not be able to see the ice directly in front of the judges.

A bonus to sitting on the end is that you will see skaters, coaches, and retired skaters sitting near you from time to time. Plus, the tickets are relatively inexpesive and available. I like to sit a few rows up from the ice (maybe row 5-10 depending on seat availability and pricing). And being on the aisle is non-negotiable.

 

[iluvtodd]

When we attend a competition, we like to sit close to center ice, opposite the judges. Aisle seats or as close as possible to the aisle are preferable for us.

 

[CoyoteChris]

I've got a question for those who have gone to skating competitions; where do you recommend sitting? Behind the judges or across from them? How close to the ice? I've been to COI (nosebleed seats) in the 90s and more recently SOI (and Sun Valley On Ice; both front row), but never a competition. Assuming will have to be mindful of where the TV cameras are placed too. Hoping to talk my sister into attending Skate America with me.

I have advanced ticket sales purchase privlidge and I am sold on the front row. I like to feel the wind of Chock and bates as they zoom by...and anyone else... Technically, if you are into the scoring of ice dance, My buddy/Coach Yasa likes to sit back a bit.......but if all I can get is 8 rows back, I am staying at home. Will try with PaulE to get front row seats at SA. Plus, we have lots of FOFS friends who sit there. (No worries about arena pitch at SA...at Cleveland, it was so bad people had to sit up to see the feet of the skaters. Here, Cleveland 2009, I am over 6 ft tall and I had to look over the head of a fan with a camera who happened to be an Acadamy Award winner in a tech field. The arena is a basketball pitch arena)

 

[CoyoteChris]

I like to sit on the short end for competitions (but not for shows, where programs are constructed differently). Most singles and pairs programs are constructed with the jumps, throws, etc at the end of the ice/in a corner. When you sit on the end, you will get an excellent close-up view of about half the elements, and a far-off but unobstructed view of the other half. This seems like a good trade-off for me. I have sat on the sides and found that I can't even see part of the ice! If you sit on the judges side, you may not be able to see the ice directly in front of the judges.

A bonus to sitting on the end is that you will see skaters, coaches, and retired skaters sitting near you from time to time. Plus, the tickets are relatively inexpesive and available. I like to sit a few rows up from the ice (maybe row 5-10 depending on seat availability and pricing). And being on the aisle is non-negotiable.

Also, for those of us who have neck issues, you dont have to swivel your neck 20 times during a skate like watching a tennis tournement. I try for Isle seats due to medical issues so I dont disturb other fans. Also, you get an area you can lean toward as statium seats are not wide enough, just like airline seats, to accomidate the average sized human being. No big deal over a 2 hour event. Big deal over a week event.

 

[Mathman]

My biggest problem with many arenas is that the seating is too steep. I always feel like I am taking my life in my hands.

 

[CoyoteChris]

My biggest problem with many arenas is that the seating is too steep. I always fell like I am taking my life in my hands.

Case in Point. London Ontario Canada, worlds 2013...I went up into the nose bleeds and while I have no issues doing recover from unusual attitudes in airplanes, I got woozie up there it was so steep...

 

[PaulE]

My biggest problem with many arenas is that the seating is too steep. I always fell like I am taking my life in my hands.

The Ice Rink in Milan for the Olympics was really steep with tiny seats. The seat space was small front to back as well as left to right. With my back pressed tightly to the back of the seat my knees extended over the seat back in front of me (and I am only about 5 feet 9 inches—175 cm). You didn't need to worry about wedging your knees against the seat back in front of you because the arena was so steep your knees were above the top of the seat back.

But of course I am still glad I was there in spite of the seat discomfort.

 

[moonvine]

Ouch. For me, when I spend all that money to go to an event, I like to see the Srs and Jrs in the same venue and have the practice rink on site. Gone are the days when you could watch the Novice, Jr and Sr from one seat. I like a close hotel and eateries....Before the first Greensboro, the promoter would show up at events and ask us as fans what WE wanted. I had no problem with the town or the venue and hotels and the shuttle there.

Greensboro is amazing. They actively work to keep our costs down and their disability services are top notch.

I think we are going back to the days when the juniors and seniors skate in different rinks. Why? I don’t know. Maybe too expensive to use the big arena for juniors when there are only like 200 audience members max.

 

[moonvine]

I am FOFS so I got the "Go" email this morning to buy tickets for Nationals only, starting at 9 am PDT with the secret code. Those on the email list, I am told, will get their email tomorrow morning with their own code. I am also on the email list and the confirmation for that was about 24 hours actually. Then, as I understand it, Thursday morning the tickets will be open to the public. PaulE and I think there may be a possibility that the first two rows will be P1A pricing and may also be padded folding chairs without arm rests. I tried these at Greensboro and couldnt take them with my medical issue.
Further, the email said that SA was put off to a further date....

I love padded chairs without arm rests..

 

[moonvine]

I've got a question for those who have gone to skating competitions; where do you recommend sitting? Behind the judges or across from them? How close to the ice? I've been to COI (nosebleed seats) in the 90s and more recently SOI (and Sun Valley On Ice; both front row), but never a competition. Assuming will have to be mindful of where the TV cameras are placed too. Hoping to talk my sister into attending Skate America with me.

If you can get the first 3 rows get them. My personal favorite place to be is near the K&C. It’s easier to get the stuffies to the ice there and avoid aggressive sweepers.
The “bowl” across from the K&C is where the loudest people typically sit.
Across from judges is my preference. They are in less danger if they lowball my babies if they’re further away from me.
But some people like to sit behind them.

 

[RobinA]

I've got a question for those who have gone to skating competitions; where do you recommend sitting? Behind the judges or across from them? How close to the ice? I've been to COI (nosebleed seats) in the 90s and more recently SOI (and Sun Valley On Ice; both front row), but never a competition. Assuming will have to be mindful of where the TV cameras are placed too. Hoping to talk my sister into attending Skate America with me.

I like to sit at about Row 10, center ice, opposite judges. That's just me. Most people like the first couple rows, but I don't like being that close. Some height is better for seeing the ends of the ice.

Not thrilled about everything being in the west, but it sure saves me money!

 

[Arriba627]

Is anyone familiar with any hotels near the Maverik Center in SLC? I see there are some that show within .2 to .4 miles walking distance. Just curious if anyone has any words of wisdom. Not familiar with SLC at all.

 

[icetug]

Only recently SA shifted its dates to November 13-15.

 

[dorispulaski]

This Zamboni was just unveiled in Salt Lake- unfortunately at the Delta Center.

I hope they can borrow it for Nationals!

Despite the failure to embed, if you click on the link, the picture does display!

 

[NanaPat]

This Zamboni was just unveiled in Salt Lake- unfortunately at the Delta Center.

I hope they can borrow it for Nationals!

Despite the failure to embed, if you click on the link, the picture does display!

Not for me. It wants me to log in to prove I'm over 18, and I don't have an account.

Is this it? Mammoth zamboni

 

[noskates]

I don't like sitting in the front 3 or 4 rows because you miss the overall perspective. Yes it's exciting when something happens right in front of you but you kind of miss the end zone activity - at least in my experience. We always try for center ice about half way up, on the aisle and near an exit for the concourse. Minimizes steps, gets you close to the restrooms and the food. The only problem with an aisle seat is the people climbing over you somewhat incessantly to get to their seats. This happened in St. Louis. The people sitting in the middle of the row seats couldn't sit there for more than what seemed like 15 minutes before they had to get up for something - sometimes in the middle of a program.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Partner swapping is epidemic in the skating world. Sometimes it is a mutual agreement that partnerships should end...sometimes, people get hurt. I will refrain from disclosing those I know about but partnerships are kind of like a marriage. It is sad to see partners we know and love separate for any reason.

For so long this has been the case. Tai Babilonia has often encouraged pairs skaters to stay together and weather the ups-and-downs. She was paired with Randy Gardner when they were about 7 and 8. Thus, they grew up together and still maintain a strong bond. In their book, ForeverTwo As One, written with Martha Lowder Kimball, Tai discusses going through puberty and getting taller which changed their physical dynamic as partners. Yet, they never thought about splitting. They simply adjusted as they matured, and continued finding ways to express their partnership on the ice.

I would say that was a different era altogether. Still, there should probably be less abundance of splits. Of course, injuries and personal logistics are unavoidable factors. Additionally, partners today tend to split if they don't have measurable success and positive competition results fairly quickly.

 

[CoyoteChris]

For so long this has been the case. Tai Babilonia has often encouraged pairs skaters to stay together and weather the ups-and-downs. She was paired with Randy Gardner when they were about 7 and 8. Thus, they grew up together and still maintain a strong bond. In ther book, ForeverTwo As One, written with Martha Lowder Kimball, Tai discusses going through puberty and getting taller which changed their physical dynamic as partners. Yet, they never thought about splitting. They simply adjusted as they matured, and continued finding ways to express their partnership on the ic.

I would say that was a different era altogether. Still, there should probably be less abundance of splits. Of course, injuries and personal logistics are unavoidable factors. Additionally, partners today tend to split if they don't have measurable success and positive competition results fairly quickly.

Well said. But unfortunately and sadly sometimes people undermine relationships, as in any form of endeavor.