- Joined
- Dec 4, 2004
Here are a few random personal observations from a fan's eye.
1. Lots of great fans to talk to, as always
2. Great Starbucks in a very nice practice rink
3. Tight security in main arena, bomb dogs and metal detectors, etc.
4. No security to get into the practice rink, other than a pass check.
Mostly good mannered arena folk.
5. very limited food, as usual. And limited hours. McDonalds in the arena would close with 50 people and more in line waiting to pay double the going rate for burgers at 1:30 pm cause the manager didnt want to pay his help overtime.
6. During practices in the main arena, fans were kept to one, two, or three sections depending on the whim of someone at the time.
7. On Saturday, after the ladies practice, fans were thrown out before skaters went through their gala programs, then after the fans left, the areana changed its mind and let fans in.
8. Walking downtown late at night was no problem due to the streets being crowded with skating fans and other people. Just a few panhandlers and street people.
9. The crew at Denny's worked hard to get early fans breakfast fast so they could get to the arena/practice rink.
10. Bizarre policies. There would be guards at the open glass doors at the convention center where the practice rink was that wouldn't let fans into the building. One had to walk down outside stairs, around the building, into other glass doors, up escalators, and finally arrive at the other side of the original glass doors! Then one could go through other internal doors to the practice rink just by showing one's pass. No security what so ever. There were arena personnal around and there was a dedicated place for coaches and skaters, but many of those chose to stand/sit with the fans, just like at sectionals.
Fans were very respectful of them and didnt "mob" them (much).
Only fans who bought programs ($10) or media guides ($25) could get skating order sheets WITH EXACT skating times after the first day. Results and basic skating orders were available at the USFSA table, I think. The Wilshire did have an excellent info room with all kinds of handouts for free.
There were a few drinking fountains so that one didnt have to pay $3.75 for bottled water and one could bring in water.
The program only had a few pics of a few top skaters. One was supposed to write in the names and the scores in the book on form pages. The media guide was excellent, being basically pages from the ISU website for each skater, but no pics of skaters.
Had a great time, but over the years fans seem to have become an afterthought.
Perhaps the USFSA and ISU should consider certain standards for fan's enjoyment in the bidding process. Food would be nice. As would being able to sit in the front rows during practices to feel the wind as the skaters fly by.
Could I hear the Paso just one more time?
(Yaroslava, how are your dogs doing? I bet they miss you....)
1. Lots of great fans to talk to, as always
2. Great Starbucks in a very nice practice rink
3. Tight security in main arena, bomb dogs and metal detectors, etc.
4. No security to get into the practice rink, other than a pass check.
Mostly good mannered arena folk.
5. very limited food, as usual. And limited hours. McDonalds in the arena would close with 50 people and more in line waiting to pay double the going rate for burgers at 1:30 pm cause the manager didnt want to pay his help overtime.
6. During practices in the main arena, fans were kept to one, two, or three sections depending on the whim of someone at the time.
7. On Saturday, after the ladies practice, fans were thrown out before skaters went through their gala programs, then after the fans left, the areana changed its mind and let fans in.
8. Walking downtown late at night was no problem due to the streets being crowded with skating fans and other people. Just a few panhandlers and street people.
9. The crew at Denny's worked hard to get early fans breakfast fast so they could get to the arena/practice rink.
10. Bizarre policies. There would be guards at the open glass doors at the convention center where the practice rink was that wouldn't let fans into the building. One had to walk down outside stairs, around the building, into other glass doors, up escalators, and finally arrive at the other side of the original glass doors! Then one could go through other internal doors to the practice rink just by showing one's pass. No security what so ever. There were arena personnal around and there was a dedicated place for coaches and skaters, but many of those chose to stand/sit with the fans, just like at sectionals.
Fans were very respectful of them and didnt "mob" them (much).
Only fans who bought programs ($10) or media guides ($25) could get skating order sheets WITH EXACT skating times after the first day. Results and basic skating orders were available at the USFSA table, I think. The Wilshire did have an excellent info room with all kinds of handouts for free.
There were a few drinking fountains so that one didnt have to pay $3.75 for bottled water and one could bring in water.
The program only had a few pics of a few top skaters. One was supposed to write in the names and the scores in the book on form pages. The media guide was excellent, being basically pages from the ISU website for each skater, but no pics of skaters.
Had a great time, but over the years fans seem to have become an afterthought.
Perhaps the USFSA and ISU should consider certain standards for fan's enjoyment in the bidding process. Food would be nice. As would being able to sit in the front rows during practices to feel the wind as the skaters fly by.
Could I hear the Paso just one more time?
(Yaroslava, how are your dogs doing? I bet they miss you....)