Las Vegas Selected to Host 2021 Skate America

[gsk8]

The Orleans Arena in Las Vegas Selected to Host 2021 Skate America

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (April 27, 2021) - U.S. Figure Skating announced the selection of The Orleans Arena in Las Vegas as the host for 2021 Skate America, Oct. 22-24, 2021. Skate America® will mark the first of six stops on the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series 2021.

Skate America® was staged in Las Vegas for the first time in 2019. The competition was held at The Orleans Arena in 2020 without spectators in a bubble environment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All-session ticket packages will go on sale Wednesday, May 26. More information will be available at 2021SkateAmerica.com.

"The Orleans Arena was such a great partner for this competition in 2020, so we are excited to bring Skate America back to Las Vegas in 2021," U.S. Figure Skating President Anne Cammett said. "We’re looking forward to having fans in attendance as athletes from the United States and abroad continue on their journey towards the Olympic Winter Games.”

The Orleans Hotel and Casino, which is adjacent to the arena, will offer a special fan rate during the competition. More information regarding lodging will be available at 2021SkateAmerica.com on May 26.

“We are excited to continue our amazing relationship with U.S. Figure Skating, which has included some great closed events over the last year,” said Orleans Arena Executive Director Rex Berman. “The one thing that has been missing is the ‘oohs and aahs’ as skaters take the ice. We are ecstatic to welcome the cheering fans back for the 2021 edition of Skate America.”

The complete list of athletes selected to compete at 2021 Skate America and all other ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating competitions will be announced in June.

 

[macy]

i guess i'm not sure why they picked Vegas for the 3rd year in a row if an audience will be in attendance...i thought the whole idea of having Vegas host SA and Nationals was the bubble concept with no outsiders.

i don't doubt they will move nationals back here next too instead of Nashville.

 

[b-man]

I think I read somewhere Vegas Casinos are now at 80% capacity. I guess they consider Orleans a safe option, whether spectators are, or are not, included.

 

[Tavi...]

i guess i'm not sure why they picked Vegas for the 3rd year in a row if an audience will be in attendance...i thought the whole idea of having Vegas host SA and Nationals was the bubble concept with no outsiders.

i don't doubt they will move nationals back here next too instead of Nashville.

Perhaps they’re just playing it safe in case Covid is still an issue this fall?

 

[ice coverage]

i guess i'm not sure why they picked Vegas for the 3rd year in a row if an audience will be in attendance...i thought the whole idea of having Vegas host SA and Nationals was the bubble concept with no outsiders. ...

2020 Skate America always was going to be at the Orleans in Las Vegas (per USFS pre-pandemic announcement), because 2019 Skate America at the Orleans was so well-received.

It had been announced in early Jan 2020 -- well *before* the pandemic -- that 2020 Skate America (as well as 2021 Synchro Nats in late Feb) would be at the Orleans.
(And at the time, of course, there was no thought of not having an audience.)
(In Dec 2020, 2021 Synchro Nats were cancelled.)

Also, in Mar 2019, the ISU had allotted the 2022 ISU Congress to Las Vegas, to be hosted by USFS (supported by U.S. Speedskating).
(But because the 2020 Congress in Thailand had to be cancelled, the ISU eventually decided to hold the 2022 Congress in Thailand.)

The point being that before the pandemic, USFS already had a demonstrable affinity for Las Vegas.

(I do believe that the relationship between USFS and the Orleans would have strengthened further by working together during the pandemic.)

... i don't doubt they will move nationals back here next too instead of Nashville.

Unless -- heaven forbid for the sake of the country at large -- there is a huge step backward on the road toward getting the pandemic under control in the U.S., my opinion is that USFS would not take 2022 Nats away from Nashville.

But never say never.

 

[Manuel Pablo Arnao]

Yay! Finally! So excited! Skate America 2019 in Las Vegas was a big hit, everybody loved it- that's why they're continuing to have events there. And the fact that it can be a bubble since the hotel and arena are connected make it a no-brainer. Can't wait to buy individual tickets! I just bought my flight and hotel, via Hotwire. If anyone wants a Hotwire discount/referral, let me know. I booked the Palazzo at the Venetian for $105 a night for Thursday-Monday.

Ps- They can't move Nationals from Nashville to Las Vegas, it's too late now. Everyone has already made plans and bought flights, hotels, etc. And the pandemic will be well under control since everyone will have been vaccinated by then/we'll have herd immunity by then.

 

[LiamForeman]

Any guesses what Russian ladies will be there? And firstly how will they split up the teams. Anna, Liza, and Sasha are seeded, but who will they be paired with? Anna/Maiia, Liza/Kamila, and Sasha/Usacheva? Then where does Alyona fit in? I'm still hoping Sinitsina and Frolova are the others given GP spots.

 

[Mista Ekko]

Both SA and SC being a week apart on the west coast sounds like a hell of a vaycay

 

[moonvine]

Hopefully next year they will remember people live in other parts of the country who would also like to watch skating.

 

[Gia_Sesshoumaru]

I can't wait. My friends and I are going. Them to see Vegas, and me to see SA. Just a weekend trip (Thursday - Monday.) I miss going to skating, so I'm excited!

 

[ice coverage]

Hopefully next year they will remember people live in other parts of the country who would also like to watch skating.

FWIW/for better or worse, the Midwest had four years in a row of Skate America within the last decade:

2013 Detroit
2014 Hoffman Estates, IL
2015 Milwaukee
2016 Hoffman Estates, IL​

Plus the Midwest has had U.S. Nats four times since 2013:

2013 Omaha
2016 Saint Paul
2017 Kansas City, MO
2019 Detroit​

 

[CoyoteChris]

FWIW/for better or worse, the Midwest had four years in a row of Skate America within the last decade:

2013 Detroit​

2014 Hoffman Estates, IL​

2015 Milwaukee​

2016 Hoffman Estates, IL​

Plus the Midwest has had U.S. Nats four times since 2013:

2013 Omaha​

2016 Saint Paul​

2017 Kansas City, MO​

2019 Detroit​

Well said. I think we all have to keep in mind that there is no guarantee the pandemic will get better and if a SA has to be done in a bubble again, there is no better place than the Orleans. The sad fact is that in much of the country, like Spokane, the numbers are going up and jabs are going down. I will keep my politics out of this but unless a carrot and stick approach is taken to getting the US vaxed , I am very pessimstic about the US being anything like normal by October. The numbers are so bad here it looks like we are moving backwards out of Phase 3 to Phase 2 in a week.. BTW, Gonzaga fans are only partially to blame for our surge right now. People here flaunt the state and federal mask mandates, restaurant limits, home gatherings, etc.

Spokane County will likely move back to Phase 2 next week

Spokane County residents should prepare to move backwards to Phase 2 of the governor's reopening guidance early next week.

www.spokesman.com

 

[LiamForeman]

Staying at the Palms. Good. Done deal. Can't wait!

 

[yuumagical]

As someone who attended Skate America 2019 (and had a cardboard cutout there in 2020), I'm admittedly rather concerned about the prospect of returning there. What made it so special in 2019 was how easy it was to interact with the skaters and coaches. It wasn't hard to spot them in the hallway leading to the elevators to the guest rooms or on the arena concourse. Heck, I even saw one skater while waiting to use the restroom! If Skate America 2021 happens, I would hope that fan/skater interactions would be more limited (as much as I like asking skaters for autographs). Has the USFSA announced guidelines for fans going to competitions yet? They sent out a survey on possible guidelines (mandatory vaccines, wearing masks, etc.) earlier this year. Even though I'll be fully vaccinated by the end of next month, I'm honestly not sure if I will attend unless those regulations are strict. I mean, the CDC is still not recommending going to indoor sporting events, even for vaccinated people...

 

[CoyoteChris]

As someone who attended Skate America 2019 (and had a cardboard cutout there in 2020), I'm admittedly rather concerned about the prospect of returning there. What made it so special in 2019 was how easy it was to interact with the skaters and coaches. It wasn't hard to spot them in the hallway leading to the elevators to the guest rooms or on the arena concourse. Heck, I even saw one skater while waiting to use the restroom! If Skate America 2021 happens, I would hope that fan/skater interactions would be more limited (as much as I like asking skaters for autographs). Has the USFSA announced guidelines for fans going to competitions yet? They sent out a survey on possible guidelines (mandatory vaccines, wearing masks, etc.) earlier this year. Even though I'll be fully vaccinated by the end of next month, I'm honestly not sure if I will attend unless those regulations are strict. I mean, the CDC is still not recommending going to indoor sporting events, even for vaccinated people...

I havent even recieved an email from USFS yet about this event or requirements. I would assume they will keep their options open. I too filled out the survey. In the US, vax is going unused and out of date as people elect to not get jabbed. 90 percent of Iowa countries are cutting back or refusing new shipments. I see no reason why jabs can NOT be required if vax is available in ones country. OR a 72 hour covid test. And masks. The only sticking point would be competitors (at any event) that allow those under 16 to skate as they havent been oked for jabs yet. The CDC and the govt, state and fed, in general have lots of reccommendations and orders. I see very little compliance and no enforcement. I suspect that at the end of the day, Nevada state regulations at the time will prevail. BTW, it is important to note that insurance companies in the US are rolling back their waivers on deductibles for covid, now that vax is available for everyone over 16. You do not want to face the medical bills for going to the hospital with covid... just sayin. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/heal...-ending-waivers-covid-treatment-fees-n1265422

 

[ladyjane]

I wish vax was available here for everyone over 16! I'm still waiting to be called up, I'm willing to pay (but it doesn't work that way in my country, we have to wait for our turn and it's the people with the heaviest risks first which is perfectly okay), but there's a lot of screwing up going on in the deliverance. I hope for you all that Vegas is going to be fine in October!

 

[CoyoteChris]

I wish vax was available here for everyone over 16! I'm still waiting to be called up, I'm willing to pay (but it doesn't work that way in my country, we have to wait for our turn and it's the people with the heaviest risks first which is perfectly okay), but there's a lot of screwing up going on in the deliverance. I hope for you all that Vegas is going to be fine in October!

It will be interesting to see where the US puts its 60 million doses of Oxford AZ and all the J and J and the two others that people here dont seem to want. As of today, there are 27 vaxes in stage 3 testing. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/science/coronavirus-vaccine-tracker.html

 

[el henry]

Just a head's up folks. The NFL announced their schedule today, and the Eagles play at Las Vegas on 10/24.

Eagles fans travel. A lot. And I think the limited capacity in this stadium will be 90% Birds fans.

Now if any place has hotel capacity, it is Vegas, but if you think your flight plans (particularly going home) may take you through Philadelphia, book now.

 

[Weathergal]

I wish vax was available here for everyone over 16! I'm still waiting to be called up, I'm willing to pay (but it doesn't work that way in my country, we have to wait for our turn and it's the people with the heaviest risks first which is perfectly okay), but there's a lot of screwing up going on in the deliverance. I hope for you all that Vegas is going to be fine in October!

It will be interesting to see where the US puts its 60 million doses of Oxford AZ and all the J and J and the two others that people here dont seem to want. As of today, there are 27 vaxes in stage 3 testing. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/science/coronavirus-vaccine-tracker.html

Just an FYI, the Pfizer vaccine has recently been approved in US to be administered to 12- to 15-year-olds. Good news indeed!

 

[moonvine]

I havent even recieved an email from USFS yet about this event or requirements. I would assume they will keep their options open. I too filled out the survey. In the US, vax is going unused and out of date as people elect to not get jabbed. 90 percent of Iowa countries are cutting back or refusing new shipments. I see no reason why jabs can NOT be required if vax is available in ones country.

Can and should be in my opinion.

FWIW/for better or worse, the Midwest had four years in a row of Skate America within the last decade:

2013 Detroit​

2014 Hoffman Estates, IL​

2015 Milwaukee​

2016 Hoffman Estates, IL​

Plus the Midwest has had U.S. Nats four times since 2013:

2013 Omaha​

2016 Saint Paul​

2017 Kansas City, MO​

2019 Detroit​

Yes, I went to Nationals in KC and Detroit. I’ve yet to go to Skate America. My first in person skating competition was Worlds in Boston. 2 day drive, only for Gracie.