2025 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Boston

[Alilou]

They could refuse entry to half the Americans at the border if that were the only standard, believe me. They’re looking for immigrants or visitors with specific links to Hamas or Hezbollah or researchers on topics the government doesn’t like. That’s awful enough but just today three of our friends who have posted plenty of stuff against our government (and theirs) got thru Dulles uneventfully on tourist visas. Don’t panic.

But don’t hand over your phone.

As far as I understand they're not looking at Americans. It's foreign nationals that they're checking, and checking Canadians in a way that never would have happened in the past.
I've been hearing some pretty bad stories of Canadians having their phones searched, and of course if you're asked for your phone you have no choice but to hand it over.

But I agree - don't panic. Things have changed, but it's probably not that bad. At the same time I understand why @dedee would be scared, and I'm not willing to pretend that for a Canadian entering the US it's business as usual. It's not. ATM I'd be a bit scared too.

 

[bladesofgorey]

They’re looking for immigrants or visitors with specific links to Hamas or Hezbollah

LOL - Based on actions so far this actually means they look Middle-eastern (specifically Palestinian or Muslim) or protested against Israel's actions in Palestine. Or are the partner of someone in any of those categories. Edited to add- of course they make you turn your phone over. Advising people not to is terrible advice.

 

[PRlady]

They’re looking for immigrants or visitors with specific links to Hamas or Hezbollah

LOL - Based on actions so far this actually means they look Middle-eastern (specifically Palestinian or Muslim) or protested against Israel's actions in Palestine. Or are the partner of someone in any of those categories.

Well I didn’t say what those links were, right? I was once stuck in a press conference with a Hezbollah spokesperson, that might be “linked” enough for these asshats.

Every friend I have from my work days has protested Israel’s actions in Palestine, or Netanyahu’s and Smotrich’s visits, or the bombing or confiscation of aid convoys, etc. Most of them are Jewish and a few have dual Israeli citizenship. Waiting for Yrump to decide that the bad Jews deserve jail or deportation as well.

Anyway, before I’m again guilty of sticking this topic where it doesn’t belong, someone please tell me that trees aren’t budding in Boston. My allergies are killing me.

 

[YukiNieve]

Maxim Naumov will skate for the exhibition!

Maxim Naumov on Instagram: "Excited to be a part of The World Championships Gala! Make sure to get tickets and join us here in Boston! #GetYourTickets #MaximNaumov #FigureSkating #WorldsGala #bostonma #WorldFigure #WFSC25 #isufigureskating #NBC10Bo

5,615 likes, 210 comments - maxim.naumov_ on March 22, 2025: "Excited to be a part of The World Championships Gala! Make sure to get tickets and join us here in Boston! #GetYourTickets #MaximNaumov #FigureSkating #WorldsGala #bostonma #WorldFigure #WFSC25 #isufigureskating #NBC10Boston...

www.instagram.com

 

[Carolla5501]

I mean, some people want to believe that ice dance judges who engage in bloc judging are going to be morally self-righteous enough to take international geo-politics into consideration when marking the teams in Boston...

They are more influenced by their own politics. Hardly have time to worry about the “real world”

So I’m Europe and was talking to somebody who just got back from the us. before they went they removed every social media platform off their phone. Said it was a waste of time as no one asked but….this is what happens when Bozo gets to play dictator

 

[gaduchess]

Well I didn’t say what those links were, right? I was once stuck in a press conference with a Hezbollah spokesperson, that might be “linked” enough for these asshats.

Every friend I have from my work days has protested Israel’s actions in Palestine, or Netanyahu’s and Smotrich’s visits, or the bombing or confiscation of aid convoys, etc. Most of them are Jewish and a few have dual Israeli citizenship. Waiting for Yrump to decide that the bad Jews deserve jail or deportation as well.

Anyway, before I’m again guilty of sticking this topic where it doesn’t belong, someone please tell me that trees aren’t budding in Boston. My allergies are killing me.

The trees aren’t budding. However, it’s a little colder than this native Californian prefers.

 

[gaduchess]

I travel to Boston every Thanksgiving week and if anyone wants to splurge a bit on a proper, sit-down dinner complete with white linen tablecloths, there is a great French restaurant called Ma Maison not too far away

Thanks for the recommendation. It’s just across the street from the Wyndham Beacon Hill.

 

[Spikefan]

Red’s lobster roll was very good but $36. It is mayo based but very light with some finely diced celery. The bun is heated and buttered and then they added more butter on top. Based on price and calories that will be my first and last this week but couldn’t come to Boston and not get one. Still can’t beat the rolls I had in Maine but it’s the best I’ve had in Boston.

 

[clairecloutier]

Here is an Olympics qualifying explainer from Jackie Wong. It lays out the number of spots that countries can hope to qualify for at Worlds.

Deciphering the 2026 Olympic figure skating qualification process — Rocker Skating - Analysis by Jackie Wong

How does figure skating qualification work for the 2026 Winter Olympics? Here’s a primer

www.rockerskating.com

 

[Karen-W]

Here is an Olympics qualifying explainer from Jackie Wong. It lays out the number of spots that countries can hope to qualify for at Worlds.

Deciphering the 2026 Olympic figure skating qualification process — Rocker Skating - Analysis by Jackie Wong

How does figure skating qualification work for the 2026 Winter Olympics? Here’s a primer

www.rockerskating.com

Well, at least he got the part right about countries with only 1 spot in Boston not being able to qualify 3 spots for the Olympics in the blog/written version. He got it wrong in the IG Live, forgetting that countries can only send 1 entrant to the OQE, so there's no way country with only 1 spot in Boston can earn 3 spots for Milano-Cortina.

 

[olympic]

Thanks for the recommendation. It’s just across the street from the Wyndham Beacon Hill.

I found out that they are locally popular, so best to book with a bit of time if you want to go.

 

[olympic]

I am Canadian. I am going. I am scared.

I would say you are going to be OK. Although the government of Agent Orange is increasing the likelihood of visitors being accosted at ports of entry, your chances of being accosted are still quite low. Just make sure your passport is in order (which you would do in any case)

 

[peibeck]

I'm guessing the customs agents are seeing a small flurry of people coming in for Worlds. I doubt they are considering them much of a threat, especially if someone is a middle aged or older white women.

My flight to Boston was 100% full yesterday. And with the stupid TSA layoffs, if you say you're coming in for the skating and not as a paid coach they are going to spend less than a couple of minutes processing you in.

Not that I think fears are unfounded, but realistically the average figure skating fan isn't the type a customs agent wants to stop and get a write up in international press for stopping, I'd wager.

Anyway @dedee I hope your travels are safe and you can relax and enjoy the skating once you arrive. Believe me, we're not all Orange Man bootlickers here, and I respect your Canadian love of country. Especially as I'm having a lot less love for my own at the moment.

 

[terisa]

I'm guessing the customs agents are seeing a small flurry of people coming in for Worlds. I doubt they are considering them much of a threat, especially if someone is a middle aged or older white women.

My flight to Boston was 100% full yesterday. And with the stupid TSA layoffs, if you say you're coming in for the skating and not as a paid coach they are going to spend less than a couple of minutes processing you in.

Not that I think fears are unfounded, but realistically the average figure skating fan isn't the type a customs agent wants to stop and get a write up in international press for stopping, I'd wager.

Anyway @dedee I hope your travels are safe and you can relax and enjoy the skating once you arrive. Believe me, we're not all Orange Man bootlickers here, and I respect your Canadian love of country. Especially as I'm having a lot less love for my own at the moment.

I agree. I'm bringing Canadian and Ukrainian flags along with my USA flag...and I plan to use them. Hope I don't slip up and hold the US one upside down...

 

[MacMadame]

I agree. I'm bringing Canadian and Ukrainian flags along with my USA flag...and I plan to use them. Hope I don't slip up and hold the US one upside down...

It's okay if one of the US skaters bombs. Because you'd be distressed, right?

 

[peibeck]

Hope I don't slip up and hold the US one upside down...

I wouldn't hold the skaters in any way responsible for the sins of our oligarchy. But that's just me.

 

[Aceon6]

I’m bringing my Quebec flag for LaLa.

 

[peibeck]

I’m bringing my Quebec flag for LaLa.

Awww. I should have brought some Tender Vittles for Grumpy Cat, but I didn't think of it.

 

[terisa]

I wouldn't hold the skaters in any way responsible for the sins of our oligarchy. But that's just me.

It wouldn't be during or after a skater's program. I'm sure I'd never be that careless.

 

[cholla]

I sincerely hope your SM is politics-free, or more specifically free of anything anti the current regime. They're checking through people's phones at the border.

Is this even legal? Don't they need a warrant to make you unlock your phone?

 

[Miezekatze]

Is this even legal? Don't they need a warrant to make you unlock your phone?

I heard this happens frequently and you also have to give your social media accounts on some forms (maybe not as a Canadian travelling to the US).

The official travel information from the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs says about travel to the US:

Elektronische Datenträger wie z.B. Laptops, Tablets, Smartphones bzw. Mobiltelefone dürfen von den US-Grenzbehörden durchsucht und ggf. einbehalten werden.

which means

Electronic data carriers such as laptops, tablets, smartphones, or mobile phones may be searched and, if necessary, retained by US border authorities.

Therefor PRLadys saying „don’t hand over your phone" seems very weird, cause you obviously can’t refuse that.

Maybe it’s different for Canadian travellers, but I certainly wouldn’t trust the current regime as a Canadian either.

I’d probably travel with an old empty phone of mine.

 

[mattiecat13]

And now for the eternal question to those attending practices - how cold is the arena? I have to pack today.

 

[BittyBug]

And now for the eternal question to those attending practices - how cold is the arena? I have to pack today.

Practice in the main rink starts Tuesday.

 

[mattiecat13]

Practice in the main rink starts Tuesday.

Sorry, hardly any sleep last night.

 

[PRlady]

I heard this happens frequently and you also have to give your social media accounts on some forms (maybe not as a Canadian travelling to the US).

The official travel information from the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs says about travel to the US:


which means



Therefor PRLadys saying „don’t hand over your phone" seems very weird, cause you obviously can’t refuse that.

Maybe it’s different for Canadian travellers, but I certainly wouldn’t trust the current regime as a Canadian either.

I’d probably travel with an old empty phone of mine.

Sorry, that advice was only for citizens, who can refuse. (And then they might detain you.) Non-citizens have to comply.

 

[AnnM]

Is this even legal? Don't they need a warrant to make you unlock your phone?

It's complicated.

Here's a Know Your Rights summary for airport inspection points:

Know Your Rights | Enforcement at the Airport | ACLU

Learn about your rights when encountering law enforcement at the airport.

www.aclu.org

Here's a Know Your Rights summary for the 100 mile border zone, where CPB still has enforcement authority:

Know Your Rights | 100 Mile Border Zone | ACLU

The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects people from random and arbitrary stops and searches. Although the federal government claims the power to conduct certain kinds of warrantless stops within 100 miles of the U.S. border, important Fourth Amendment protections still apply. This...

www.aclu.org

 

[bladesofgorey]

It's complicated.

Here's a Know Your Rights summary for airport inspection points:

Know Your Rights | Enforcement at the Airport | ACLU

Learn about your rights when encountering law enforcement at the airport.

www.aclu.org

Here's a Know Your Rights summary for the 100 mile border zone, where CPB still has enforcement authority:

Know Your Rights | 100 Mile Border Zone | ACLU

The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects people from random and arbitrary stops and searches. Although the federal government claims the power to conduct certain kinds of warrantless stops within 100 miles of the U.S. border, important Fourth Amendment protections still apply. This...

www.aclu.org

Specifically regarding your phone and electronic devices:

Can Border Agents Search Your Electronic Devices? It’s Complicated. | ACLU

We’ve been getting a lot of questions about when border agents can legally conduct searches of travelers’ electronic devices at international airports and other ports of entry. Unfortunately, the answer isn’t simple.

www.aclu.org

The government claims the authority to search all electronic devices at the border, no matter your legal status in the country or whether they have any reason to suspect that you’ve committed a crime. You can state that you don’t consent to such a search, but unfortunately this likely won’t prevent Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from taking your phone.

 

[skategal]

Maybe it’s different for Canadian travellers, but I certainly wouldn’t trust the current regime as a Canadian either.

Not different for Canadians.

 

[Karen-W]

First photo from inside TD Garden!

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Someone really needs to snap some pics of the Kiss n Cry, lol.

 

[Spikefan]

It looks like there are raised sections on both sides of the judges. Will be curious to see how obstructed my view is.