USFSA Synchro Nationals, Ontario CA

[CoyoteChris]

Anyone ever been to the USFSA Synchro Nationals? I have been thinking of going to alleviate the downer feeling after Greensboro is over and I would be interested in getting any info on what to expect.

Chris packing for GB

[Sylvia]

Did you see my post (#6) in this thread? http://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/showthread.php?t=76969

[CoyoteChris]

Yes, I did. It was your thead that got me interested in going...sounds fun. I would be interested in nuts and bolts info. How big is the attendance, are there open practice sessions before start of competition, how many hours of competition, what do I need to know that I dont know? In 2007, After Spokane, I went to my first Four Conts in Colorado Springs and it was an entirely different kind of event than Nationals. I went in early one morning and there was no "fan Support" so I just went in the arena and started watch the ice dancers practice. No fans there, but there was this nice distringuished older lady high up in the stands so I went over to her and introduced myself and asked her if she was a big fan? She laughed lightly and said she was Doreen Denny and was the 1959 and 1960 World Champion. She is a wonderful person and spent alot of time with me explaining what it was like to skate back then...they did a tribute to her during the competition. Now thats fan support!

[kwanfan1818]

The arena should be packed with families and friends, and if Ontario is close to a training rink, any number of locally based singles, pairs, and ice dancers. When cygnus and I went to Synchro Worlds in Colorado Springs last year, I think we were two of about two dozen in the crowd who weren't involved in skating.

The crowd was electric and totally involved. I'm not sure what the prelims are like at Nationals, but wow.

I knew little about Synchro except that I liked it, and luna_skater posted some great info on elements:

http://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/show...4&postcount=90

[harvey]

The arena should be packed with families and friends, and if Ontario is close to a training rink, any number of locally based singles, pairs, and ice dancers. When cygnus and I went to Synchro Worlds in Colorado Springs last year, I think we were two of about two dozen in the crowd who weren't involved in skating.

The crowd was electric and totally involved. I'm not sure what the prelims are like at Nationals, but wow.

I knew little about Synchro except that I liked it, and luna_skater posted some great info on elements:

http://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/show...4&postcount=90

Kwanfan pretty well summed it up for me too. My first SYS attendence was Worlds in Canada in a "Standing room only" arena and it was one of the most enjoyable competitions I've ever attended. The crowd's enthusiasm was tremendous and as noted above there seemed to be very few in attendance that weren't connected with one of the skaters or teams. My 2nd was a US finals and again there seemed to be few non-connected spectators, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I have attended practices and noticed that in general each competing team usually had a group of people attached to a certain team sitting together (During preliminaries) which would seen natural since they probably were well acquainted with each other by the time their teams got to this level. As a non-connected spectator I met a lot of the participants through their friends/parents and thoroughly enjoyed that too. Was looking forward to attending Colorado springs but couldn't make it. I happen to think that it's one of the least appreciated skating events. Don't expect any triple triple's but if you enjoy skaing in general and appreciate complex synchronized choreography then BY ALL MEANS GO.

[CoyoteChris]

Hey, thanks folks, I appreciate the input. At Pacific Coast Sectionals in Scotsdale AZ two years ago, a lady sat next to me and said, 'Are you the other fan?" Turns out, there were four of us fans, but it was very enjoyable despite the hockey shields and netting. I am sorry I missed Colorado Springs cause I love those facilities so I am thinking very seriously about
trying this competition out. Stacey Marsh at USFSA is putting me in contact with a person involved with the competition who can answer my 1,000,000 questions.
Hope it isnt standing room only!

[crzesk8dad]

Anyone ever been to the USFSA Synchro Nationals? I have been thinking of going to alleviate the downer feeling after Greensboro is over and I would be interested in getting any info on what to expect.

Chris packing for GB

Anyone needing information regarding Synchro Nationals should go to:

www.2011synchronationals.com

or send me a PM.

[CoyoteChris]

Thanks! Yes, there is quite a bit of info at that site, but I will pm you about further info I would like.

[oh2tango]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4vW5eF29Ck


Here is a commericial about the event at the Citizens Business Bank Arena

[AnnM]

The arena should be packed with families and friends, and if Ontario is close to a training rink, any number of locally based singles, pairs, and ice dancers.

The closest training rinks are approximately one hour away from Ontario.

[lovesdance]

The closest training rinks are approximately one hour away from Ontario.

Actually, Icetown in Riverside is only about 1/2 hour away. There's also a pretty decent rink in Ontario, but I'm not sure if any elite skaters train there.

[Sylvia]

US Synchro Nationals takes place THIS week (comp. starts on Thursday, March 3) -- here's a local article about the event: http://www.inlandsocal.com/iguide/fa...25.18f719.html

Residents of San Bernardino and Riverside counties can get a 50 percent discount off admission by showing their ID at the box office [$15/day].

Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, CA: http://www.cbbankarena.com/

ETA link to Icenetwork's live streaming schedule (Friday, March 4-Saturday, March 5): http://web.icenetwork.com/news/artic...&vkey=ice_news

[Yazmeen]

If you go, please cheer for the Intermediate team "Philadelphia Symmetry." They have worked so hard and are thrilled to go to their first Nationals. They will be skating to an Elton John medley.

http://www.philly.com/philly/health_...ct_unison.html

[Sylvia]

The local paper, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, has a photo gallery: http://lang.dailybulletin.com/photos...=1183973&num=0

Icenetwork's coverage and on-demand videos: http://web.icenetwork.com/events/detail.jsp?id=68102

Live streaming schedule for Saturday, March 5 (all times Eastern):
4:00 p.m.: Masters free skate
6:00 p.m.: Adult free skate
8:30 p.m.: Collegiate free skate
11:30 p.m.: Senior free skate

[crzesk8dad]

Newspaper article in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (Ontario, CA)

http://www.dailybulletin.com/ci_1753...lybulletin.com

[crzesk8dad]

It turned out to be a terrific event. The arena is fantastic (you will love it for Skate America), the hotels, restaurants and shopping are plentiful, the airport is nearby. The crowd was electric and there many local residents who took advantage of the cheap tickets, giving them a first time look at Synchro, let alone Figure Skating.

The skaters all had smiles are their faces, and after all, isn't that why we do this? It is for me.

Thanks to everyone who helped or came to the competition.