U.S. Nationals, oh shit, how lucky can I be?

[icarus]

Oh, my god.

The U.S. Nationals are being held in Spokane, Washington. The men's finals aren't sold out yet, but tickets are $85. It's a hell of a drive and I'll probably have to get a hotel room that night.

Oh. There are practice schedules as well.

I want, I want, I want, I want, I want to be there. Watch the skaters. Absorb the atmosphere. Wantwantwantwant...

I'm thinking of buying them now, even though I have no money, can't afford it, this is a dumb idea. Guys, I think you just learned the lengths I'll go to in researching a story.


ETA: Just told wildernessguru and he thinks it's a wonderful idea. "That'll be your Christmas present." I'm psyched. "We'll have to dress warm," he says, and I suggested maybe the puppy would like to go.

Anyone live in Spokane who'd like some cheerful skating house-guests? Anyone live in Seattle who'd like to car-pool to the Nationals?

It's just a matter of working out the details. *is pleased*

I'm thinking of going up by myself on the 20th/21st to watch tons of practices, and then going with wildernessguru to the competition on Saturday. Oh, I hear Johnny Weir might be there, and very likely Evan Lyce-Lycec--oh, however you spell that--Evan will be there.

Comments

[wychwood]

Could you not go to another event at the Nationals? Like, uh, a warm-up or heats event, or juniors, or whatever it is they do in skating? The atmosphere won't be quite as exciting, but it might be more informative from the point of view of what it's like being a contestant, the rest of the time. Also, uh, could be significantly cheaper.

[ethereal-swan.livejournal.com]

When Worlds came to Minneapolis, I was able to afford tickets to only a couple real events, but I went to several practice sessions. I strongly recommend going the practices; I think I enjoyed them even more than the event. You see the skaters real close up and sit near the coaches and judges as they watch. Even overhear the skaters talk as they wait for their chance on the ice (no malicious gossip, though, they were all really nice). The practice tickets at that time (8 years ago) were ten dollars for half a day, if I remember right, and you didn't need to buy them ahead of time.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Checking out the overall schedule, the practice sessions the weekend before the main events has the Novice and Junior men, as well as the Novice, Junior, and Championship pairs.

Schedule:

Saturday, 20th
Novice men - 9:20-10:20
Junior pairs - 10:30-1:00
Novice pairs - 1:10-2:50
Novice men - 3:15-4:25

Sunday, 21st
Novice pairs - 7:40-8:40
Novice men - 9:40-10:20
Champion pairs - 10:40-1:55
Junior pairs - 4:45-6:05

Friday, 26th (for which I'd have to miss class)
Champion men - 12:30-2:40

Saturday, 27th
Champion men - 4:00-5:10
Men's finals competition - 5:40-9:20

An ideal universe would have some smart person buy me tickets to the finals on Saturday (I shall drop strong hints) and I can go the prior weekend on my own dime. Bummer that the championship men aren't practice the weekend before. I'd really like to take in both pairs and men's figure skating.

Great advice. I'm taking it very seriously.

Icarus

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

I'm checking out the practice sessions as we speak. I think those would be more helpful to me than the actual events, though ideally I need to go to both. Not to mention I want to go.

This would make such a great Christmas present. *bounces*

Icarus

[webbapettigrew.livejournal.com]

GO GO GO GO! I would totally go if I could!

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm seriously considering it. In my ideal world?

I'd drive up Friday afternoon on the 19th (it's a four, four and a half hour drive), sack out in a Motel 6. Then I'd spend all day Saturday at the practice sessions from 9am to 4:25pm. Then either I'd spend another night, catch the morning practices then head home at noon Sunday, or go straight home Saturday night after the one day.

Then the following Saturday on the 20th I'd leave at 9am, catch the men's 4-5:10pm practice sessions, then stay for the championship finals. I'd probably have to stay overnight and leave Sunday morning.

Of course, not counting gas the pricetage for doing all this gets a little steep. But in an ideal universe....

I really do want to see more than just an hours worth of practice.

Icarus

[winstonmom.livejournal.com]

Think Christmas! send messages around and maybe your family could send you a cash gift!!!

I loved figure skating:)

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm definitely thinking Christmas, you betcha. :D

[fullygoldy.livejournal.com]

Is there no one on your friends list who lives closer to Spokane than you? If I did, I'd totally let you crash at my place in the interest of finally getting more OOB :)

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

I'll ask! WG thinks it's a great idea, though he's thinking of all sorts of details like "we need to replace the chains that were stolen" and "better dress warm, it's a skating rink" and "maybe we can borrow the Puppy's truck since that'll take the pass better than the Prelude."

Eeee!

[rike-tikki-tavi.livejournal.com]

Eeeeeee!

I'm on the entirely wrong continent to be of help, but I'm thrilled for you. Not just because it means more OOB, but because ice skating! I bet the practice sessions are going to be even more interesting than the competitions, because there you can see a bit about how a program comes together.

*twirls you*

Have fun!

*twirls*

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

The hotel reservations are made, and it looks like I'll be at the men's competition and the men's practice session (and the women's, and maybe the dance practice as well) the day before.

I bet the practice sessions are going to be even more interesting than the competitions

I think so, too.

Icarus

[enname.livejournal.com]

*laughs and laughs some more*

That is so cool. Literally. Glad that WG saw the light and helped you get there, that is neat. Lovely lad. Now go and take notes and tell us all about it. *nods*

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Woo-hoo! I've made the hotel arrangements. Oh, I'm taking notes all right. Lots and lots.

Once my eyes -- which were the size of saucers when he offered -- returned to normal, I realized two weekends would probably be beyond my budget. But if I go Friday and Saturday, from 7:30 - 2:30 I'll get to see the pairs warm-up, the ladies' practice session, and the men's practice session, and then maybe the dance that evening if I'm not tuckered out by then.

Then, Saturday, the men's championship! There's a warm-up at 4, then the competition proper begins at 5:40 and runs to 9:20.

WG's decided not to go, though we're keeping the option open that he might go to the competition Saturday. He's not a fan of figure skating and would probably be tired, cold, and whiny. *g* I'd like to see him at the competition however. (Who knows, maybe if the competition is exciting I can convert him?)

Icarus

[enname.livejournal.com]

Score!

Even without the two weekends it sounds like just one of them is going to be crammed enough and jam packed. What with the different practice sessions and well, it would be neat to catch the dance. I always liked that... being that figure skating is one of the only things I watch during events like the olympics. Or that I watched as a child.

*grin*

Get him along to that at least yeah. Then he can be cold and whiny and not have to do it all day long.

lol. Inform them that they have to be exciting!