2013 Nationals in Omaha to include Juvenile and Intermediate Nationals, too

[TanithandBenFan]

Looks like they're following the same schedule Greensboro had.

[Rochelle]

Not sure that having Jr. Nationals and Nationals at the same time is going to be a good thing. USFS is already having trouble finding venues. Making the event larger will only make finding a venue harder. Plus, they will likely make less money than they do now. Jr. nationals doesn't bring in a lot of money. They will need more judges for a longer period of time - that means more $$ for accommodations and food. At least by splitting it up, two places share the expense.

It's been pretty well researched by the "powers that be" on committees before the USFS Governing Council voted on it last May. This is a solution to help save money, time, and resources -- as well as better prepare athletes for the reality of the Novice-Senior levels qualifying structure.

It won't be any harder to find a venue with this new addition of Juv/Int. It will be easier than finding a club/council of clubs to take on Junior Nationals, which is just as much work (or more) than Regionals and Sectionals -- and isn't always as profitable (particularly compared to Regionals). You can dig up financial info in the bid packets on the USFS website. The overall number of club members are way down compared to 10-15 years ago when Junior Nationals was created -- something had to change. There are now VERY FEW clubs (or councils comprised of multiple clubs) with both the facility, location, and volunteer force to support our 9 Regionals, 3 Sectionals, Junior Nationals, Sr. Nationals.

The expectation is that the Juvenile / Intermediate events (formally used in Junior Nationals) will be scheduled during the "down"/"slow" time of the current nationals -- likely the Thursday-Sunday at the Champions end of the event. In some instances, the events may be held at the official practice facility, which has a schedule that winds down at the end of nationals week anyway, so it's a great way to fill dead ice at the official practice facility -- as well probably adding about 40% more money from US Figure Skating for the 40% more athletes added to "big" U.S. Nationals.

Keep in mind that Juvenile / Intermediate events will be MUCH smaller -- including only the top 4 from each of the 3 sections (cutting it down to 12 skaters at nationals, instead of approximately 40 at nationals in each event).

They won't necessarily need more judges. They already have plenty of the judges there, and for those officials who serve only on dance or pairs panels it will actually make nationals a better use of their time and expense. If additional officials are needed, it will be few, and probably only for three days of expense.

For the coaches (and the parents that pay their fees) it's actually much easier, since many (maybe close to a majority) of Junior Nationals coaches also have students at "big" Nationals. This saves the coaches an additional week away from their training rinks, and allows skater's families to save significant money on travel expenses since there may be more students of that coach competing there that week. This also allows the Juvenile/Intermediate skaters a chance to compete in January (instead of December) -- which is better for those still in traditional school (and some virtual programs), and for those parents who have limited vacation days to travel each year. These factors in particular played a big part in the rationale behind this decision.

If you'd like for me to copy/paste all of the rationale (I think it was a few pages in length) from the Governing Council packet (it's publicly available) -- I'll be more than happy to do so this weekend. It goes much more in depth on the pros/cons and rationale behind this decision. Just ask! Or perhaps Sylvia has a link to a thread on this topic that was already discussed at length this spring? I imagine it has.

[Carolla5501]

Actually I kind of like the idea. Not sure I can make it for the entire week, but I would like to see these two groups and it's not an event I would have traveled for otherwise

[julianaqtpi]

There are now VERY FEW clubs (or councils comprised of multiple clubs) with both the facility, location, and volunteer force to support our 9 Regionals, 3 Sectionals, Junior Nationals, Sr. Nationals.

....which is why Southwestern Regionals is either in Colorado (usually CO Springs, but sometimes Denver or Ft. Collins) or the Dallas area in general. They're the ones with the large clubs and the facilities to support it. We could possibly pull it off here in Omaha, but we'd be pulling in our friends from Kansas City, St Joseph, Ames, Des Moines, etc. to help volunteer. And it'd still be really hard. And we'd have to use the Century Link Center (formerly the Qwest Center, for those who haven't heard) or the Civic Auditorium. Our only multi-surface rink here doesn't have a wall between the surfaces, so we've had hockey games with annoying buzzers sounding on the other rink while competitions are going on..... Yeah so (unless this new rink that's being built currently is going to have two surfaces, which I think is the plan....) we couldn't do it......

[stejoho40]

Does anyone know the schedule or location for the juvenile/intermediate events?

[Skittl1321]

....which is why Southwestern Regionals is either in Colorado (usually CO Springs, but sometimes Denver or Ft. Collins) or the Dallas area in general. They're the ones with the large clubs and the facilities to support it. We could possibly pull it off here in Omaha, but we'd be pulling in our friends from Kansas City, St Joseph, Ames, Des Moines, etc. to help volunteer. And it'd still be really hard.

It would be pretty generous of Ames and Des Moines to help (though they might) since that isn't their region...

But the reason I was replying- Nebraska is in Southwesterns? That is a weird name for that region... (then again, in Iowa we are Upper Great Lakes, and it only barely makes sense, by the time you get to the Dakotas it makes none at all... Of course, I just found out Alabama is in Eastern Great Lakes... The regions make sense just fine- but the names, none at all.)

[Carolla5501]

FYI

Omaha is in San Jose selling. Pick your seat, avoid the fees

[julianaqtpi]

Does anyone know the schedule or location for the juvenile/intermediate events?

There will be three ice surfaces in the Century Link: The main arena surface for the novice-junior-senior events, one for juvenile-intermediate events, and one for practice ice. I'm not sure, can't remember right now (and I tried calling my mom to ask her (she's in San Jose currently) but she isn't answering her phone...), but the juvenile-intermediate surface might be their competition and practice. I honestly don't remember, sorry! When I talk to my mom, I'll post on here if I remember.


Edit: I had just finished submitting this when my mom called, and so I asked her, and she said there was a reception a couple hours for people involved in 2013 Omaha Nationals, and they talked about planning and stuff. Everything I said above is wrong :O Now, they will be using the older, smaller Civic Auditorium (still a very nice facility) for the juvenile-intermediate events, and only one surface there, for practice and competition. There will be the large arena surface and a temporary surface in the Century Link for novice-junior-senior events, one rink for practice and the other for competition. No worries though- Apparently there will be a shuttle bus between the Civic and the Century Link, and it's not even a mile away, takes about 5 minutes in bad traffic to drive, and less than 15 minutes to walk.

[julianaqtpi]

It would be pretty generous of Ames and Des Moines to help (though they might) since that isn't their region...

I would expect Kansas City and St. Joseph to be more willing than Ames and Des Moines, it's about the same distance from all four to Omaha. And the skating clubs here in Omaha are closer to SJFSC (St. Joe) and KCFSC (Kansas City) than to Ames or Des Moines. I don't even know their club names....

But the reason I was replying- Nebraska is in Southwesterns? That is a weird name for that region... (then again, in Iowa we are Upper Great Lakes, and it only barely makes sense, by the time you get to the Dakotas it makes none at all... Of course, I just found out Alabama is in Eastern Great Lakes... The regions make sense just fine- but the names, none at all.)

I don't get the regions either, it's just weird. Even St. Joseph skaters go to Southwesterns, and they're in Missouri! We have to drive at least 8 hours to get to Regionals if we go when it's in Colorado (SW Regionals alternates between Texas and Colorado, basically. Nowhere else in the region is big enough to support it.), and a lot more than that if it's in Texas. I hate being on the edge of the region.

You're in Iowa? I assume that's why the Ames and Des Moines references? If so, random question that belongs in the trash can- are you competing at Omaha Winterfestival in four weeks?

[stejoho40]

Thanks Julianaqtpa. I wonder when they will actually have a schedule.

[julianaqtpi]

We aren't sure if I'll be able to volunteer in any way- apparently the sweepers must be 8-15 (this is tentative, it could change within the next 10 months or whatever) years old, and I'll turn 16 in December 2012. If they say the age is as of the competition, I'll be able to be a sweeper (assuming I make it past the tryouts... They probably want little skaters, and I'm the same level as some of the competitors, and at least 2 years older than the oldest Juvenile skaters....). If not, then there will be absolutely NOTHING I can do to volunteer. Nothing. And most of our skaters who are steady enough to be sweepers will be too old to be a sweeper, and not old enough to be an official volunteer! UGH sorry, just ranting. Anyways, the point of this was to say that my family and I bought four weekend passes! We got THIRD FREAKING ROW seats for only $217 each or something crazy like that! We just decided to get them while they were a good price and available, so yay!

For all you local people, there will be a special on NBC local news this Monday night, the 30th, on the 10pm news, about the local skating community and Nationals next year. They interviewed me Watch for it!

[julianaqtpi]

Thanks Julianaqtpa. I wonder when they will actually have a schedule.

There's a tentative schedule for regular national events, right here.

I do wonder when the Junior National event schedule will be announced, I'd like to know.

I really want to go to Regionals at Intermediate level this fall and at least try for Sectionals and then Nationals, it would be amazing if I could make it... But I know it's very unlikely I would.

[stejoho40]

Well you never know! Good luck to you. It would be great if you could make it to Nationals since its in your town. The daughter of a friend of mine was first alternate in juveniles this year and I'm really hoping she makes it next year because my husband and I met in Omaha and it would be fun to go back.

[PDilemma]

Anyways, the point of this was to say that my family and I bought four weekend passes! We got THIRD FREAKING ROW seats for only $217 each or something crazy like that! We just decided to get them while they were a good price and available, so yay!

For all you local people, there will be a special on NBC local news this Monday night, the 30th, on the 10pm news, about the local skating community and Nationals next year. They interviewed me Watch for it!

Thanks for the heads up on the news bit! My mom and I got third row weekend seats at that same price!! So excited!!! Now I have to find the money to pay her for mine over the course of the next year.

[julianaqtpi]

Well you never know! Good luck to you. It would be great if you could make it to Nationals since its in your town.

It would be amazing, but unlikely, I'm not that great of a skater, I'll compete Open Juvenile for the 1st time in a couple weeks.... There are a couple skaters who I think could make it to Nationals, mainly because one in particular is landing triple-triples (triple loop-triple toe mostly) in practice and competing Juvenile....

This is trash can material. Sorry :O

[Sylvia]

Re-posting the following from the 2014 Nationals thread since they're relevant to this one:

Let me just defend my post [#108 above]: That was what they had heard as of then. As of 2013 Nationals meeting a few weeks ago that my mom attended (as you may know, she was president of the largest skating club in Omaha for 2 years (up until last week, when they had club board elections, and she decided not to run for president this year) and she's on the Omaha committee for helping plan Nationals), they have absolutely no clue what they're doing with Jr. Nationals. USFSA seems totally unorganized and unsure what they're doing with it, as it's a year after the announcement and there are no definite plans for where it'll be. I've heard rumors of Jr Nationals being at the Civic Auditorium, which is like 10 min walking distance from the Century Link, but I've heard rumors that the Civic is being torn down in October. I've heard rumors that Jr Nationals are going to be at the Century Link as well as regular Nationals. I've heard the rumor that they'll be at the new ice rink 15-20 min from downtown that's scheduled to open in October with seating for 5000. I've heard that they're going to be at the rink with two surfaces that's 30 min away from the Century Link, but that rumor was proved false quickly. I've also heard most often that USFSA is going to wing it and make plans for it the night before the events start. So basically, as of now, no one knows what they're going to do with Jr Nationals.

The Civic Center still has events on it's November 29, 2012 calendar. I know that the Creighton Women's Basketball games are now in the D.J. Sokol center (they previously played at the Civic Center, is that the new arena on Creighton campus?) And I suspect the ice arena that you are talking about that would be 20 minutes away will be the new home of the Lancers hockey team, since it is or was rumored that the Lancers would be moving from Council Bluffs MAC to Ralston/Papillion? And possible Mavericks hockey? Or is that the one that the rumors proved untrue.

It would make sense to me that the Century Link Arena would have both the senior competition and the practice ice, since they are currently building the Olympic Trials Competition and Practice Pools for that arena, which indicates to me that there is enough space that they could feasibly do both. But of course that is my speculation.

ETA: I apologize to those who thought an announcement was pending.

[gingerice]

Have the announced auditions for award presenters? Those skaters/volunteers are usually older and might be a perfect fit for our omaha poster.

[acraven]

Thanks to a heads-up from Sylvia, I can post this link to a USFS press release with some tentative information about Juvenile and Intermediate events in Omaha: http://www.usfsa.org/Story.asp?id=48274&type=media

The release gives tentative dates of Thursday, January 24, through Sunday, January 28, for the the Juv/Int events. Competitive sessions will be held at the Omaha Civic Auditorium; practices, at the Omaha Convention Center, where the higher-level events will also take place.

I haven't checked a map, but julianaqtpi stated upthread that the two venues are less than a 15-minute walk apart.

[Jenna]

I hope these sessions will be broadcasted...I'm always very interested in watching the future of US skating!

[CoralReef]

Is that the expected date range for the Championship events? If so I wonder how much coverage they'll devote to juveniles and intermediates.