Jarrett
Go Mirai!
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Yes and let the skaters vote on a Mr/Miss Congeniality lolOk...they should turn it into sporting event, pick captains, let them draft teammates, then let the audience and a few skating celebrities judge
2025 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Boston
- Thread starter ice coverage
- Start date
The Grand Prix rarely ever showed galas. Maybe some brief clips/performances from 1995-1997. In 1998, the US got no GP coverage aside from Skate America and the Final. After that when ABC/ESPN/Lifetime took over, there were never gala broadcasts.
Jarrett
Go Mirai!
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I know some people like to believe that USA is the center of the universe but it is not. lol I never specified if I was talking about only U.S. coverage. I have galas that I recorded myself from competitions like GP events, U.S. Nationals and Worlds on U.S. broadcasts and there are many videos international broadcasts of galas in the 90's and early 2000 that I received from trading over the years and then they seemed stopped pretty much stop showing them everywhere (including Canada, Star Sports, NHK?, Russia, Eurosport) that is why I was asking if there was some sort of change with the music rights then or it was just the downward trend of figure skating popularity or maybe both.
I mean as an American yourself, all you had to say was that you meant international coverage
. I, too, have a pretty substantial video collection-- one that I've actually been organizing and cataloguing basically since Worlds, but I think you're still going to be hard-pressed to find a lot of Grand Prix gala coverage pre-2002 or so, up to when Russia/NTV and maybe Eurosport finally started broadcasting everything. And the Grand Prix coverage in general from 1995 to 2001 or so (aside from Skate Canada) is pretty skimpy.Post-2002 was a lull in skating almost everywhere, not just the United States. Japan was still without the major fandom it would soon after develop, Russia was going through the worst period ladies-wise maybe in history (with Doronina and Petushkova leading the way at one point...), and Star Sports was a joke to begin with, as the commentator on the regular used to identify triple Lutzes as "camel spins" and so on. The pro scene went from an event every weekend to what, two? events by 2002. The crowds throughout many countries at the beginning of IJS were really, really abysmal. I think collectively, broadcasters just saw the money wasn't in investing so much time in skating anymore. IIRC, the whole consistent streaming thing probably started around 2007.
peibeck
Simply looking
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Sorry, I think I misunderstood you then. I will note that any Worlds I've attended, the Monday practices have a lower turnout in regards to skater attendance. I have, alas, sat in a cold arena all day hoping to see some of my current favorites practice on Mondays, only to have my hopes dashed multiple times per day.
Miezekatze
Well-Known Member
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The exhibition has always been broadcasted by Eurosport/Discovery Plus in the last years. I think even the exhibitions from the Grand Prix.
Hello! I'm trying to buy tickets, but have never attended a competition. I am in a wheelchair and can't really move my head around to see over people. I am looking at the wheelchair seating at the back of the lowest ring, which I think are Sections 3, 20, 10, and 14. (Sorry, not sure to add a picture.) The organizer I spoke with suggested that the side with the judges might be obstructed. I would really love suggestions on the best Section. Opposite judges? Closer to Kiss & Cry? Unfortunately, nothing in the center for wheelchairs.
Aceon6
Wrangling the duvet into the cover
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@iluvfs Please email or call the committee, [email protected] or 781-352-0708. There are a number of good options and they will direct you appropriately. Don’t rule out the sections higher up as the higher you go, the easier it is to see the whole ice surface without turning.
One caution. Boston does not have many transit options for wheelchair users. “The Ride” is an option for locals operated by the local transit authority, but it’s nearly impossible for out of towners to get approved to use it. Because The Ride exists, there’s little incentive for taxi operators to keep and maintain vans. The few Uber and Lyft vans are booked weeks in advance. If you will need a hotel room, I strongly recommend one within rolling distance. The Worlds 2025 committee may have some options, so you might include your lodging needs in the email.
One caution. Boston does not have many transit options for wheelchair users. “The Ride” is an option for locals operated by the local transit authority, but it’s nearly impossible for out of towners to get approved to use it. Because The Ride exists, there’s little incentive for taxi operators to keep and maintain vans. The few Uber and Lyft vans are booked weeks in advance. If you will need a hotel room, I strongly recommend one within rolling distance. The Worlds 2025 committee may have some options, so you might include your lodging needs in the email.
BittyBug
Childless Cat Lady
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@ifuvfs if you will need a chair car try https://www.bostonchaircar.com/ but as noted above you should book well in advance.
DORISPULASKI
Watching submarine races
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This info is about 10 years old, so things may have changed.
The hotels probably no longer are owned by the same chains, for example.
TD Garden is fairly accessible.
www.tdgarden.com
Both times we were in the wheelchair seating in the middle of the mezzanine opposite the judges. There is an elevator to get to that level. Motorized wheelchairs, like my husband's, fit in the elevator. There was an electric plug out in the hall where he could recharge the batteries. The usher showed us where the plug was and was very helpful in general. Plus the food concessions are on the mezzanine level, and the bathrooms were quite close, as was a medical area that he used once.
The arena is laid out with a steep pitch, so the view was not a problem. Plus because it was a bare floor with no "parking spaces" laid out, we could have made small adjustments in where his chair was located, if we needed one. I was seated in a folding chair
I would not recommend any lower level seating, because of the somewhat greater difficulty getting to bathrooms and so forth.
In 2014, we stayed at a hotel, which was within wheeling distance, and an easy walk. They also had a parking garage, which was handy because we drove there. (Parking is a huge and expensive pain in Boston.) And the hotel had a restaurant. It was about 0.2 mi away from TD Garden.
In 2016 we stayed closer to the Garden but the hotel was not pleasant at all. Hotels got booked fast!
If you come in by plane, you may want to rent a motorized wheel chair or scooter. They can deliver to your hotel before you arrive. We have used such a service in other cities.
scootaround.com
We never took a cab or van because we had a scooter.
The sidewalks near the garden were a hazard. There were very deep curb cuts at every store-front which were used as part of washing out bar floors in the 1800's. Mr. Ski turned his scooter over once, but did not suffer any lasting damage. I daresay the sidewalks have not changed much.
In general, he rode his scooter, and I walked.
We did use the MBTA at least once to go to a restaurant that was further than I wanted to walk. Not all trains had wheelchair access, but they say now most do:
I have got to say this was easier because I do not need a wheelchair and was able to help out, especially when he turned the scooter over. Don't rent a 3 wheel scooter in Boston. They can be tippy. A Four wheel scooter would have been fine though.
2014 Nationals was a fun, memorable trip for us.
2016 Worlds not as much, because Mr. Ski's health failing health made things more difficult.
May you have a great trip!
The hotels probably no longer are owned by the same chains, for example.
My husband and I went to TD Garden for Nationals in 2014 and Worlds in 2016.
TD Garden is fairly accessible.
TD Garden Accessibility | TD Garden
TD Garden is committed to providing accessibility and accommodation to all of our guests for their comfort, safety and enjoyment. Patrons requiring assistance should contact TD Garden in advance of their visit with questions or concerns.
Both times we were in the wheelchair seating in the middle of the mezzanine opposite the judges. There is an elevator to get to that level. Motorized wheelchairs, like my husband's, fit in the elevator. There was an electric plug out in the hall where he could recharge the batteries. The usher showed us where the plug was and was very helpful in general. Plus the food concessions are on the mezzanine level, and the bathrooms were quite close, as was a medical area that he used once.
The arena is laid out with a steep pitch, so the view was not a problem. Plus because it was a bare floor with no "parking spaces" laid out, we could have made small adjustments in where his chair was located, if we needed one. I was seated in a folding chair
I would not recommend any lower level seating, because of the somewhat greater difficulty getting to bathrooms and so forth.
In 2014, we stayed at a hotel, which was within wheeling distance, and an easy walk. They also had a parking garage, which was handy because we drove there. (Parking is a huge and expensive pain in Boston.) And the hotel had a restaurant. It was about 0.2 mi away from TD Garden.
In 2016 we stayed closer to the Garden but the hotel was not pleasant at all. Hotels got booked fast!
If you come in by plane, you may want to rent a motorized wheel chair or scooter. They can deliver to your hotel before you arrive. We have used such a service in other cities.
Rent a Scooter or Wheelchair in Boston | Scootaround
Rent a Scooter or Wheelchair in Boston. FREE delivery and pickup to your Boston location. Call or book online today!
scootaround.com
We never took a cab or van because we had a scooter.
The sidewalks near the garden were a hazard. There were very deep curb cuts at every store-front which were used as part of washing out bar floors in the 1800's. Mr. Ski turned his scooter over once, but did not suffer any lasting damage. I daresay the sidewalks have not changed much.
In general, he rode his scooter, and I walked.
We did use the MBTA at least once to go to a restaurant that was further than I wanted to walk. Not all trains had wheelchair access, but they say now most do:
I have got to say this was easier because I do not need a wheelchair and was able to help out, especially when he turned the scooter over. Don't rent a 3 wheel scooter in Boston. They can be tippy. A Four wheel scooter would have been fine though.
2014 Nationals was a fun, memorable trip for us.
2016 Worlds not as much, because Mr. Ski's health failing health made things more difficult.
May you have a great trip!
Messalina
Well-Known Member
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Re the cancellation of qualification rounds, I was wondering when I was going to fit my son in during Worlds week (freshman at Berklee)! This answers that question.
That said, watching multiple six-hour quals sessions on German TV in the 90s is what tipped me over from normal skating fan into uberhood to begin with. I was looking forward to them in Boston.
That said, watching multiple six-hour quals sessions on German TV in the 90s is what tipped me over from normal skating fan into uberhood to begin with. I was looking forward to them in Boston.
ice coverage
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Sounds as if you already have been speaking to an LOC ticket rep, which is great. Hope they will continue to help you as necessary.
FWIW, my two suggestions:
If you have not already played around with the "virtual seat finder," I would suggest that you give it a try.
bruins.io-media.com
It could give you some idea of the view from one section versus another -- and I think at least an idea of the view from the general vicinity of areas for accessible seating. For example, I would try looking at the views from Loge 3, Row 19; Loge 20, Row 22; Loge 10, Row 19. I think the folding chairs would be in the area for accessible seating? I also would look at the view from CLB 145, Row B; I think it is right behind Loge 14's area for accessible seating.
Also, as a general thing, I would consider this question: When you have watched skating via streaming or TV, what has been your level of interest in the shots of what's happening in the Kiss and Cry; and also at the boards during warm-ups and such? Totally possible that you would feel differently from me, but it's fun for me to watch that stuff, so (just) my personal preference is to sit closer to the Kiss and Cry.
Boston Bruins Virtual Venue™ by IOMEDIA
3D Interactive Seat Views for Boston Bruins at TD Garden interactive seat map using Virtual Venue™ by IOMEDIA
bruins.io-media.com
Also, as a general thing, I would consider this question: When you have watched skating via streaming or TV, what has been your level of interest in the shots of what's happening in the Kiss and Cry; and also at the boards during warm-ups and such? Totally possible that you would feel differently from me, but it's fun for me to watch that stuff, so (just) my personal preference is to sit closer to the Kiss and Cry.
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@Aceon6, @BittyBug, @DORISPULASKI, @ice coverage - Thank you all for your feedback! It's so nice to know there are others out there who have experience with accessibility!
A few more questions:
A few more questions:
- What level is considered "mezzanine"? While being not too close helps my field of vision, being too high would be a strain to look down.
- If both judges' side and opposite are available, what would be better if sitting at the top of the lowest section (top of the blue area on the seating chart)? Would there be high boards? Raised judges seats? Cameras obstructing? I tried checking the view from the seat which was helpful, but doesn't show what a televised competition might be set up like.
- I visited Boston for the first time last year, though not that area. I stayed about 20-30 minutes away and had my aide drive my van. Parking took a stressful amount of planning because my van is lowered so I avoid any indoor parking. I would love to know more suggestions on where to stay and/or park. Everything seems crazy expensive, but I am worried that the competitions might start early in the day and/or late at night and that would be difficult for me.
- I will call the venue, but I wonder if they have any "family" restrooms as I need assistance.
- Are the competitions all day?
DORISPULASKI
Watching submarine races
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The mezzanine is half way up the arena where half the seats are closer to the ice than the mezzanine and half the seats are higher. The sightlines were not obstructed at all on the non judge side. I like that level, actually. It is optimal for viewing ice dance.
We never sat on the judge side, so I cannot say about it. I imagine it would be similar.
Re Family bathrooms; from the TD Garden Accessibility page. They have them.
The exact competition schedule will be published closer to the event. There is usually a sizable break at dinner time. But yes, the competitions take most of the day
We never sat on the judge side, so I cannot say about it. I imagine it would be similar.
Re Family bathrooms; from the TD Garden Accessibility page. They have them.
The exact competition schedule will be published closer to the event. There is usually a sizable break at dinner time. But yes, the competitions take most of the day
@iluvfs In 2016, the judges stand had walls (best way I can describe it) around the front and side so there was some obstruction on the judges' side but the higher up in the lower bowl, the better the view.
Assuming the schedule will look like this year's Worlds, the afternoon event starts around 11-12 in the morning, ends around 5, and the evening event starts around 6 and ends around 10. Of course, whether you want to get there when it starts depends on whether you want to see the early groups.
Assuming the schedule will look like this year's Worlds, the afternoon event starts around 11-12 in the morning, ends around 5, and the evening event starts around 6 and ends around 10. Of course, whether you want to get there when it starts depends on whether you want to see the early groups.
victorskid
Happily ignoring ultracrepidarians (& trolls)!
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From: ISU Communication 2640
"The 2025 ISU Figure Skating Awards will be held in conjunction with the gala and closing banquet at 2025 Worlds in Boston. "
"The 2025 ISU Figure Skating Awards will be held in conjunction with the gala and closing banquet at 2025 Worlds in Boston. "
YukiNieve
Stay Healthy Everyone!
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In the newsletter email we got from the organizer yesterday:
Why it has to be these two hotels!?
Why it has to be these two hotels!?
nguyhm
Well-Known Member
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Hopefully other hotels in Copley area (Westin being one) will do the same
ice coverage
Well-Known Member
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"Official ISU Competition Schedule" (subject to tweaking, I assume?) now is shown on event site:
isuworlds2025.com
PDF link:
Competition Schedule - ISU World Figure Skating Championships® 2025
Competition Schedule ISU World Figure Skating Championships® 2025
isuworlds2025.com
PDF link:
Jarrett
Go Mirai!
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You already booked flights?!
No, but I did book my hotel.
Evgeniafan
Well-Known Member
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How do they know its only 40 men/women in the short program? There isn't a qualifying round."Official ISU Competition Schedule" (subject to tweaking, I assume?) now is shown on event site:
Competition Schedule - ISU World Figure Skating Championships® 2025
Competition Schedule ISU World Figure Skating Championships® 2025
PDF link:
It’s tentative like it always is on these early time schedules.
Jarrett
Go Mirai!
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Oh okay, I might modify my reservation for my hotel. I was planning on getting their Sunday.No, but I did book my hotel.
Karen-W
Well-Known Member
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There could be more than that - depends on the TES mins and how many skaters meet them. There were more than 40 men on the initial entry list for Worlds last year, IIRC.
YukiNieve
Stay Healthy Everyone!
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As for the Worlds in Montreal, both main rink and sub rink had a full day practice sessions (starting at 6:30AM) on Monday. If they will only have the practice sessions at practice rink on Monday, some skaters have to wake up very early in the morning...
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alizadavida
Active Member
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It looks like the competition is a lot earlier? Starting at 11am on workdays?
TanithandBenFan
Author of the Ice and Edge Series
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That's the usual starting time for Worlds events. Lots of competitors to get through!
alizadavida
Active Member
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Oh I guess I never realized that. Will either have to miss those am comps or take time off of work.
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