2025 U.S. Nationals in Wichita, KS & Skate America returns to Allen, TX in 2024

[acraven]

A friend who is staying at the Hilton Garden Inn also arrived late yesterday. The hotel's airport shuttle arrangement worked fine for her, and she reports the hotel has a mini-market with fresh salads, fresh sandwiches and frozen breakfast meals. The rooms have microwaves as well as little refrigerators.

 

[jkl]

We arrived in Wichita today. The Hilton Garden Inn shuttle was booked so the hotel sent a rideshare they paid for.
The shuttle driver took us to a local grocery store. He is a 4th grade Special Education teacher here (so of course I had to up my tip).

 

[jlai]

We arrived in Wichita today. The Hilton Garden Inn shuttle was booked so the hotel sent a rideshare they paid for.
The shuttle driver took us to a local grocery store. He is a 4th grade Special Education teacher here (so of course I had to up my tip).

How do you book the shuttle? Thx

 

[TanithandBenFan]

I arrived Wichita tonight.

C-O-L-D.

There were no taxis, and because of the flight delay that made me get there after 9:30pm, no one was waiting for Uber/Lyft. You have to wait for them outside near the parking lot, and to get there, you need to walk about 5 minutes (It was -10C/14F with wind!). I thought I was going to freeze to death, lol.

There were also no shops open in the terminal at that time.

So if you are arriving late at night, I recommend:
-Call your hotel to see if they can send you a shuttle bus
-Buy food at the airport (for dinner) before boarding the flight to Wichita.

Thanks for the heads up about the Lyft setup. If it’s snowing tomorrow when I arrive I’ll wait to walk over there when the driver actually arrives.

 

[jkl]

How do you book the shuttle? Thx

Call the hotel and the front desk will
Put you on the schedule.

 

[Karen-W]

Championships Bios are up on the USFS Competition Central page -

https://www.usfigureskating.org/sites/default/files/media-files/2025%20US%20Championships%20bios.pdf

 

[mattiecat13]

Is there snow on the ground there or the sidewalks? Trying to decide if I need to bring boots.

 

[Duchess]

We arrived in Wichita today. The Hilton Garden Inn shuttle was booked so the hotel sent a rideshare they paid for.
The shuttle driver took us to a local grocery store. He is a 4th grade Special Education teacher here (so of course I had to up my tip).

What was his name? How much did you tip him for the ride to the store and h0tel!

 

[TanithandBenFan]

Is there snow on the ground there or the sidewalks? Trying to decide if I need to bring boots.

I watched the local forecast online and they said there’s been snow on the ground for weeks (and more forecasted tomorrow).

 

[Spikefan]

Photos posted yesterday on Google Maps show snow on the ground at the Hyatt but sidewalk and road look clear. The snow forecasted for tomorrow wasn’t even in the forecast two days ago. I’m bringing boots as the forecast for later in the week could always change.

 

[YukiNieve]

Some left over snow but not much.

 

[Debbie S]

It's supposed to be sunny for the rest of the week after tomorrow and the temps are supposed to get above freezing by Wednesday. I'm not going to bring boots b/c i find them bulky and uncomfortable to wear all day inside the arena. My loafers have a thick rubber sole so I think they'll be OK on the sidewalks and streets. Hopefully I won't regret saying that.

 

[Lanie]

I figure I'll bring my Sorel ankle boots just in case because slippy is bad!

 

[gaduchess]

What was his name? How much did you tip him for the ride to the store and h0tel!

His name is Aaron, and I tipped him $5 to pick me up at the airport yesterday night but mentioned that this also included a tip for today’s ride over to the Hyatt., i.e I am tipping an average of $2.50 per ride.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

I always wear boots to Nationals unless it’s in L.A. Anything less than 60 degrees and my feet are cold. And the arenas are often less than 50 degrees.

 

[jkl]

Just so those of you checking in at the Hilton Garden Inn know it is an “adaptive reuse” hotel. I think it used to be a bank. Anyway, some of the rooms do not have windows. I would lose what’s left of my mind without being able to see out. If it matters to you let them know.

 

[HeatherC]

So glad to hear that some of you arrived safely! We don't leave until Wednesday morning but I started packing tonight simply because of the layering issues and I had to decide what all I needed to pack. Safe travels to everyone and I can't wait to see you!

 

[Jarrett]

My Tuesday flight on United from Houston just got cancelled.

 

[Karen-W]

My Tuesday flight on United from Houston just got cancelled.

If the weather wasn't absolute crap, I'd suggest you start driving, but who wants to be on the road in that mess?

 

[Jarrett]

If the weather wasn't absolute crap, I'd suggest you start driving, but who wants to be on the road in that mess?

That is what my husband just said. He said leave tonight and laughing like a villain in a movie and went to bed. He is getting left home on this trip obviously. lol I was able to change my flight to Monday evening but who knows if that one won't get cancelled too. I don't really want to pay another $250 for a hotel for an extra day but I don't want to get there later on Wednesday and miss some of the junior events. I have always like watching them less stress for me and just get to watch along. I think I might just use one of my free nights at a IHG hotel.

 

[Jarrett]

Yea I just booked a candlewood room for the extra night. If I changed my reservation at the courtyard it was going to increased my price by almost $600. I guess I got a good rate whenever I booked.

 

[YukiNieve]

If it’s snowing tomorrow when I arrive I’ll wait to walk over there when the driver actually arrives.

After you left the luggage pick-up area, turn left and keep walking all the way (if you can walk inside the building, do so) until you see a big white umbrella with a sign that says "Uber/Lyft pick up" across the street. Then cross the street.

 

[kwanette]

Looking forward to all of the reports..Safe travels to those on your way!

 

[YukiNieve]

Jason just made an announcement to withdraw due to equipment issues.

x.com

x.com

 

[Lanie]

I am so bummed

 

[Jarrett]

I am so bummed

Me too. Jason is such a treat to watch skate and spin.

 

[YukiNieve]

The judge table is low, which is nice.

And the rink is cold. Better to bring a thick blanket.

The chair is nicely padded and comfortable, although the cup holder is too shallow and I spilled my hot chocolate.

 

[acraven]

There's a new version of the Nationals schedule on usfigureskating.org. it's dated January 17 and is labeled "Draft 5.0". I haven't figure out what has changed. You may need to switch browsers or clear your cache to see the new version.

Click the Color Schedule link on this webpage: Jan 17 color schedule

 

[kwanette]

There's a new version of the Nationals schedule on usfigureskating.org. it's dated January 17 and is labeled "Draft 5.0". I haven't figure out what has changed. You may need to switch browsers or clear your cache to see the new version.

Click the Color Schedule link on this webpage: Jan 17 color schedule

Local time, no? I have my times from Peacock..Eastern time..

 

[acraven]

Local time, no? I have my times from Peacock..Eastern

Yes. The new times are shown below, from my post in the Kiss and Cry Forum.

The times of four of the senior/championship competitive segments have been slightly adjusted. All are later than their previous times, so these last-minute late updates shouldn't cause anyone to arrive late for an event. The new times are:

Champ. Pairs SP -- Thursday 5:10 - 7:05 PM
Champ. RD -- Friday 4:19 - 6:38 PM
Champ. Women's FS - Friday 6:53 - 9:52 PM
Champ. Men's FS - Sunday 1:47 - 4:51 PM

These changes have caused minor tweaks to the timing of some resurfaces, practices and warm-ups.