Has someone got confirmation practices will be public?
I asked several times, they did delete my comments from their thread, but I got no answer (and a friend said usually practices are closed at TEB...)
They finally answered re practice...It's still a mystery. I also asked them through email and Facebook but they never answer.
Talking about Facebook, they did really message and let me know about the tix sales... 3 hours ago but not nothing like a day before the sale as I asked them previously. Still, thanks FFSG. :sarcasm:
Well, they were definitely on-line at 4 am local time, which is when Pamigena found out. That's more than eight hours ago already. So much for advance warning, eh?3 hours ago
Practices are not included, it will be on sales during the competition
"During" the competition?!They finally answered re practice...
Practices are not included, it will be on sales during the competition
No comment. ..
Also, I was able to choose "mail" delivery option (have to pay postage), so I don't have to wait until I arrive in France then look for an FNAC or CarreFour to print the tickets
....
By the way, personally I avoided the front two rows:
I saw some photos of the venue, where people were watching hockey - they looked like they could sit wherever they liked, but nobody was sitting in the front two rows. There was a low perspex hockey shield installed, so they may have been sitting higher to see over it. But it might also be that the view was inherently better higher up.
Also, if past TEB competitions in France are anything to go by, the organisers might have no qualms about charging people top prices for front row seats... and then plonking a great big TV camera (and operator) or somesuch in front of them...
So I decided to take seats a bit higher up...
They finally answered re practice...
Practices are not included, it will be on sales during the competition
No comment. ..
I think it's easier for me to say No to all this, because of the two previous GPFs in Barcelona, and knowing Helsinki takes place a few months later, too.eg. if Mao Asada makes it to the final I will kick myself if I'm not there to see her, it is rare a rare chance to see her in Europe. Same for Hanyu. (And both are likely to retire after just two more seasons...!)
Well, they were definitely on-line at 4 am local time, which is when Pamigena found out. That's more than eight hours ago already. So much for advance warning, eh?
...
Actually, I've already more or less decided to use the money I'm saving with this on doing something spontaneous, maybe go to Paris instead, and I'm seriously considering going to Worlds 2018 in Milano, as well. I have this sneaky suspicion Hanyu's gonna stick around for a year longer, because of the high possibility of Worlds '19 going to Japan. ;-)
I get it, trust me, I get it. And I'm happy for everyone who is able and willing to afford this. If I could finally figure out how to grow that money tree, then I'd be there in a heartbeat. I also totally get if people spend an outrageous amount of money on this if they think it's their once in a lifetime chance to see a certain skater. I've done that before, and I don't regret it. I even understand the people who stand in line all day just to get a good seat. I've done that as well (not for skating though) and I kind of don't regret that either because back then I was younger and could still handle it But as it is now, for me personally, if I really rationally think about it, then it's just not worth it. Too much money for too many problems. And too many good experiences in Barcelona that will probably only leave me even more disappointed with Marseille. And since I've already spent a crazy amount of money on my ticket for Worlds..... I would love to go, but I'm afraid I had to let my brain win this argument.Pamigena, I sympathise - but from my point of view I just have to pay for the gold seats:
...
Agreed, I hope it's all a misunderstanding or the decision is not final... and practice tickets will be available in advance. There's still plenty of time to make it so.Btw I just don't want to queue for tickets of training sessions... What's the meaning of getting golden seats of I still need to queue??? I just don't get it... Actually I can't get the whole mess.
Agreed, I hope it's all a misunderstanding or the decision is not final
I'm digging into my memory, trying to remember how this worked out with the first GPF in Barcelona, when they also sold practice tickets separately at the event itself.
I think it was a mess, but I cannot remember the details as to why. Certainly there was something the first day about not all practices being open, but I get the feeling there was more to it than that.
They certainly decided it was a nightmare, themselves, because lo, the next year they sold the tickets on-line. Not with assigned seats, but still.
You'd think the French organizers would learn from others' mistakes. But then, I discovered in my journals that between 2003 and 2013, French organizers of events hadn't learned a single thing about how queueing works, how seat assignments work etc. I have evidence, lol. So not holding my breath.
You are totally right, and yes, the problem was just with the 1st day. I remember arriving at the venue, and there was quite the commotion going on because they refused us entry. But eventually they let us in, after all. ;-)I definitely bought all my practice tickets online for both Barcelona GPFs & I believe they were also sold at the door each day.
You are totally right, and yes, the problem was just with the 1st day. I remember arriving at the venue, and there was quite the commotion going on because they refused us entry. But eventually they let us in, after all. ;-)
Of course, the only real times the practices were busy was when the Japanese were on the ice, and mainly Hanyu. The problem was that people got up in the early morning and "reserved" a seat, and then left the venue again, only to come back when Hanyu was gonna skate. Very unfair.
I'm soooooo happy that Helsinki has seat assignments for the practices, too! Best Thing Eva.