2023 Skate America in Allen, Texas

[ice coverage]

Seems that USFS just found (and/or went public with) a title sponsor.
The name of the event now is "2023 Humana Skate America." Event logo has been updated accordingly.

In case anyone missed it, color-coded schedule now is linked on USFS page and ISU page.

2023 Humana Skate America | U.S. Figure Skating

www.usfigureskating.org

Single-session tix have been on sale since Aug 1, but seems as if promotion now is being ramped up.

https://twitter.com/USFigureSkating/status/1686406936814915584

 

[Amy L]

I was gonna try to figure out a way to go to this on my own, but I hadn't paid attention to the dates before now. My husband's birthday is that weekend (Sunday), so I don't think I can go. I haven't been to a competition in decades, but even though I live in Texas, it's a big state and it's quite a schlep for me.

 

[YukiNieve]

Thank you all for answering my question about the DAL!!

If I don't rent a car, can I find a Uder/Lyft ride between DAL and the hotel easily?

I also notice that Marriott (the closest one to the rink) is sold out now (I have a reservation).

 

[TanithandBenFan]

Thank you all for answering my question about the DAL!!

If I don't rent a car, can I find a Uder/Lyft ride between DAL and the hotel easily?

I also notice that Marriott (the closest one to the rink) is sold out now (I have a reservation).

It shouldn’t be a problem getting an Uber/Lyft to Allen from DAL. Lots of them in the area

 

[YukiNieve]

Thank you!!

 

[moonvine]

Dumb question - do other sports offer these type of benefits to fans? If so, what is the price point? I'm not talking about NFL/MLB/NHL/MLS, but rather gymnastics, swimming, track & field - basically the other major Olympic sports that have a decent fanbase in the US.

Not to my knowledge. But I didn't know about the FOFS breakfast until I had been to several Nationals.

I have not been to a big time swimming or track and field meet, but as far as gymnastics I have been to: 2 Olympic trials (men), 1 Olympic trial (women), 1 National championship (women). Pre-covid, they made it fun for everyone, from the cheapest seats to the most expensive. The Olympic trials for Rio included a beach where they trucked in tons of sand, a really good fireworks show, actually the best I've ever seen, tons of autographs, and the Bubble Bus, which is a bus that contains bubble solution and blows bubbles. At night they put stuff in them to glow under a black light. It may sound silly but I have never seen a sad person at the Bubble Bus. Full grown adults just walk into the bubbles smiling. They handed out glow sticks and my beloved dearly departed sister kept her glow stick until the day she died.

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2021 trials were not nearly as fun due to Covid.

Additionally I have been to one SEC women's gymnastics comp, 2 NCAA women's gymnastic comp, and one NCAA men's gymnastics comp. What can I say, St Louis loves to bring gymnastics here. I've emailed the St Louis Sports Commission and asked them to consider hosting US Nationals figure skating here, but they've never replied, so I guess they are wholly uninterested.

 

[moonvine]

Need an advice from those familiar with the area.

I can get to DFW by United or to DAL (Dallas Love Field) by Southwest.
I've been to DFW several times but I have never used DAL.
How different are they?
Going from DAL to Allen will be OK?

DFW is enormous. I highly prefer DAL.

 

[moonvine]

Have you received any response to your email? I sent one to the Giving department a few days and haven't gotten a reply. I asked specific questions.

I sent one too. Man I miss Brent. He answered me. This is just out of control. Guess next time I want to give some money in honor of Gracie I won't give it to the Memorial Fund, I'll pick a skater and donate to them directly.

 

[mattiecat13]

I miss Brent, too. He did a great job.

 

[skipaway]

I was gonna try to figure out a way to go to this on my own, but I hadn't paid attention to the dates before now. My husband's birthday is that weekend (Sunday), so I don't think I can go. I haven't been to a competition in decades, but even though I live in Texas, it's a big state and it's quite a schlep for me.

I think two tickets to SkAm would be an excellent birthday gift

 

[Amy L]

I think two tickets to SkAm would be an excellent birthday gift

For me, sure! But for him, well, I suppose he wouldn't be the first dude to sit in the stands with earbuds watching anime on his phone the whole time, but I probably shouldn't subject him to all that on his birthday.

 

[Rukia]

For me, sure! But for him, well, I suppose he wouldn't be the first dude to sit in the stands with earbuds watching anime on his phone the whole time, but I probably shouldn't subject him to all that on his birthday.

lol my husband is coming with me. He'll probably fall asleep though. That's his go-to.

 

[moonvine]

I miss Brent, too. He did a great job.

Brent would answer my question(s).

 

[ChristineB]

For folks going to Skate America - do you know if the practices are closed to the public?

 

[Sylvia]

For folks going to Skate America - do you know if the practices are closed to the public?

Thursday official practices should be open to (all event?) ticket holders: https://results.isu.org/schedules/gpusa2023_ColouredTimeSchedule.pdf

 

[Rukia]

For folks going to Skate America - do you know if the practices are closed to the public?

As Sylvia said, the all-event tickets said they included practices when I bought them. As I recall it implied that was a perk of buying the all-event tickets, but I don't remember if it said that outright.

 

[ChristineB]

Thursday official practices should be open to (all event?) ticket holders: https://results.isu.org/schedules/gpusa2023_ColouredTimeSchedule.pdf

Thank you! When I purchased tix for Skate Canada last year and put them in my Google wallet, I saw separate tickets for practice sessions. Since I don't see these for SA, I didn't want to assume, but great to know we likely have access.

 

[overedge]

I miss Brent, too. He did a great job.

I just noticed this on the homepage for FOFS: "We have updated our benefits chart below to ensure an enriching and rewarding experience." BWAHAHAHA like FOFS membership wasn't a rewarding experience before.

 

[moonvine]

As Sylvia said, the all-event tickets said they included practices when I bought them. As I recall it implied that was a perk of buying the all-event tickets, but I don't remember if it said that outright.

It did say it outright. Of course I went looking for it so I could share a link of it sharing it outright, and now can't find it.

 

[moonvine]

Does anyone know how much parking is? In/Out privileges? San Jose did not offer in/out privileges, I'm hoping this arena will do so.

 

[Rukia]

Does anyone know how much parking is? In/Out privileges? San Jose did not offer in/out privileges, I'm hoping this arena will do so.

Free

 

[moonvine]

Free

Yay!!!!!! That's not something I hear often. I think it was like $100 or something crazy at SCOB.

 

[moonvine]

I emailed a scathing letter to USFS and didn’t hold back. I’ve attended nationals since 1998 and numerous Skate America events as well as being a FOFS member for many years. Two points I made is that with these new levels USFS is living up to its elitist reputation and so much for inclusion and diversity.

Secondly since they seem desperate for funds are the officials and judges paying for those gourmet meals we see wheeled around on trays going in to their exclusive meeting rooms or are we subsidizing these costs? I did not hold back and I think we need to let them know how ridiculous and inane their new policy is.

I always considered the breakfast a fitting ending to the competition and a way to show our gratitude and friendship to the skaters. They are going to suffer when the room is empty and I wonder what people like Jason think about this if they even know.

Have they answered anyone's email? Heck my calendar got damaged, I emailed to see if they had another, they emailed me back "The FOFS calendar?" I said "yes." and they never answered me again. A nice person had one extra and sent it to me. So I guess I have the very last one ever made. And I got it from a complete stranger on the Internet who would not allow me to pay for postage.

 

[Gayo]

Have they answered anyone's email? Heck my calendar got damaged, I emailed to see if they had another, they emailed me back "The FOFS calendar?" I said "yes." and they never answered me again. A nice person had one extra and sent it to me. So I guess I have the very last one ever made. And I got it from a complete stranger on the Internet who would not allow me to pay for postage.

 

[Gayo]

No reply.

 

[Karen-W]

Perhaps a separate thread for the USFS FOFS tiers, rewards and offerings would be in order since none of your complaining in this thread is going to change a darned thing about the direction the USFS has gone in with that program.

 

[moonvine]

No reply.

Well I guess when they get rid of all the lesser donors and have only the FOFS who are willing to fork out $1,000 plus they won't have as many people bothering them.

 

[moonvine]

Deleted duplicate

 

[Spikefan]

I called Courtyard again today to verify my reservation again as I was wanting to cancel my back-up Home2Suites. I was first told yes my reservation is confirmed and was given the correct check-in, check-out date. I was then told to hold for a minute. When the person came back they apologized but said I had been canceled in April. I said I did not understand as I had called in July and they confirmed it then and even today I was first told yes.

I asked them to please e-mail me regarding my cancelation and they confirmed my e-mail and said they would. An hour later I still have nothing.

I did book through Capital One which is likely why I was canceled but I do not understand why I was confirmed in July and today, when it was canceled in April. It was also paid in full and I don’t have my $ back yet. At this point I think I’m just going to have to cancel through Capital One to get my money.

I am not posting this to worry anyone because if you booked direct you are likely ok. Just a warning that just because they confirmed it previously doesn’t mean it is so even one minute later.

 

[Moto Guzzi]

I may have to cancel going. I had planned to drive there on Thursday (about an 8-hour drive from my home) but am now scheduled for a kidney transplant evaluation on that day at a hospital two hours from my home. I'm supposed to bring somebody with me; otherwise, I would leave from there to drive to Allen. My options are to get up very early on Friday and drive down or not go. It may be better for me if I don't go, rather than making a long drive on Friday to get there before the first event.