San Jose, California will host 2018 U.S. Nationals (Dec. 29, 2017 - Jan. 7, 2018)

[pkmnfan]

Does anyone know when single event tickets usually go on sale? I just moved to SF so I definitely want to go, but I won't be able to attend all the events in the Champion's package because of work.

 

[mkice9]

Is the short program start order draw at Nationals completely random? For example, Nathan Chen could potentially be first to skate in the short program?

 

[Debbie S]

I believe the top (6? 10?) skaters from Nats the year before draw spots somewhere in the last 2 groups.

 

[BittyBug]

Does anyone know when single event tickets usually go on sale? I just moved to SF so I definitely want to go, but I won't be able to attend all the events in the Champion's package because of work.

If you purchased a package you would almost certainly be able to sell your tickets for those events you can't attend. Just something to consider as the packages will usually have better seat options. But with that same strategy in mind, it's almost inevitable the individual tickets will crop up as we get closer to the event. There is a pinned ticket thread in this forum that you may want to check out.

 

[Cleo1782]

Considering the early starts for the senior pairs free skate and senior free dance, do you think that they finally will have all of the couples compete together? Not a fan of how they have been splitting up the groups.

I sure hope so. Splitting the groups is really unfair to the skaters because so few people come to see them. Plus, I assume it is a big hassle to have a skaters in both groups if you are a coach because it becomes an all day ordeal. And last year there were only 2 pairs that skated in the early group anyway.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

From the time schedule given, it will be impossible to split the pairs and dance into early and late groups. Finally the TV schedule helps us.

 

[Cleo1782]

From the time schedule given, it will be impossible to split the pairs and dance into early and late groups. Finally the TV schedule helps us.

Yay! I am happy about that. I hated when they started splitting them up because it was also unfair judging wise IMO. Sometimes skaters would have a great long and they were always lowballed because they weren't part of the 'main' event.

 

[missing]

I found the following in the FAQ section of SAP Center website:

For the safety of all, a guest who throws any object into the stands or onto the playing surface or stage will be evicted from SAP Center at San Jose. The only exception to this policy is when, during a hockey game, a player scores a “hat trick” (three goals in a game). In this case, throwing of hats is customary and is deemed appropriate (hats cannot be returned).

I don't know which I find funnier- the image of hats being tossed onto the rink when Nathan or Vincent lands his third quad, or flocks of Jason fans being herded out while crying, "But it's for Ronald McDonald!"

 

[Willin]

@missing I think it's because during the playoffs people kept throwing literal dead sharks onto the ice. I don't think they'll enforce it during Nationals, not that people are really throwing stuff on the ice as much as they used to. Maybe USFS will e-mail ticket-holders or something to clarify?

 

[kwanfan1818]

I wonder if they have a process for donating all of those hats. It might be good deed doing for figure skating fans to bring hats instead of or in addition to stuffies to throw.

 

[missing]

I wonder if they have a process for donating all of those hats. It might be good deed doing for figure skating fans to bring hats instead of or in addition to stuffies to throw.

Pogrebinsky and Benoit requested people toss mittens and gloves after their programs at Skate America. They gathered quite a lot.

Since I'm terrible at names, they've been Mittens to me ever since.

 

[UMBS Go Blue]

Off topic re: hat tricks...

I was in one of the suites when Hertl had his as a rookie:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aMRNKcAQqA

And there was also a hat trick on Fan Appreciation Day when the fan giveaway was a hat:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeAqUgq3YDI

 

[Carolla5501]

Hotel updates. I was playing around and if you are going Championship Weekend only there are some decent prices. All non-refundable. I found the Fairmont for $148 and the Westin for $168. Marriott is still high which does support them being the official hotel.

 

[sk9tingfan]

Has anyone heard if shuttle passes will be made available for purchase?

 

[Carolla5501]

Has anyone heard if shuttle passes will be made available for purchase?

I believe they said they would not have a shuttle for visitors when I talked to them at the last Nationals. Of course, that can change.

Last time I took the light rail to the SAP with no issues (or walked, during the day it wasn't a bad walk)

 

[misskarne]

Is the short program start order draw at Nationals completely random? For example, Nathan Chen could potentially be first to skate in the short program?

Yes, that's correct. It's completely random. (My favourite example is group 1 in 2013: Max, Joshua, Ricky, Jason were the first four skaters, IIRC.)

That schedule looks like I have a reverse of my usual US Nationals problem. May need to take leave on the Friday rather than the Monday.

 

[Debbie S]

Yes, that's correct. It's completely random. (My favourite example is group 1 in 2013: Max, Joshua, Ricky, Jason were the first four skaters, IIRC.)

There has been a rule change since then. Rule 2721 in the USFS Rulebook:

The skaters who receive automatic invitations (see rule 2515) [i.e. a bye straight to Nats] will draw randomly from the first subgroup to skate within the last two warm-up groups;

 

[Carolla5501]

So I have my plane ticket, Championship weekend tickets and hotel rooms (which knowing me I will change 3 times as I work on the "deal options".) Now all I need are some single event tickets for the senior short programs. Wonder when they plan to release those?

 

[acraven]

I know we don't usually start talking about food until later in the year, but with Nationals encroaching on the holiday period, I'm afraid I'll forget to mention that there's a Whole Foods at 777 The Alameda, just a few blocks west of the SAP Center. Google Maps says it's open daily from 8 AM till 10 PM. There's an "upscale" Japanese restaurant across the street and a few feet down the block from WF.

I haven't been to either of those places, just noticed them on the map.

 

[MacMadame]

I run by the Whole Foods every time I do race in downtown SJ. So about 5 times a year. It's in a few block area with a bunch of shops & restaurants.

 

[Willin]

I personally love the crepe place by SJSU (and their $20 Margarita pitchers) - Whispers, I think? Pizza My Heart is also good. Iguana Burrito and Psycho Donuts are good if you're looking to go for not as healthy food. There's a lot of dining in Downtown, way more than there was 10 years ago. I hardly know what to eat when I go anymore, but I usually go to get crepes.

 

[UMBS Go Blue]

Just get the Yelp app and search according to whatever filters / criteria you want.

 

[Carolla5501]

Where's the closest In-N-Out?

 

[IceAlisa]

Off topic re: hat tricks...

I was in one of the suites when Hertl had his as a rookie:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aMRNKcAQqA

What a great moment!

 

[IceAlisa]

So I have my plane ticket, Championship weekend tickets and hotel rooms (which knowing me I will change 3 times as I work on the "deal options".) Now all I need are some single event tickets for the senior short programs. Wonder when they plan to release those?

I will be selling mine, it's one ticket but it's amazing

 

[Willin]

@Carolla5501 Right near SAP/the Airport next to the soccer stadium. Maybe a mile away?

 

[Carolla5501]

@Carolla5501 Right near SAP/the Airport next to the soccer stadium. Maybe a mile away?

Well I could work off that cheeseburger animal style.

 

[Willin]

@Carolla5501 Hahaha I'll probably go at least one night. Cheap and delicious. But the lines are insanely long, so I hope I wouldn't miss too much.

 

[Carolla5501]

@Willin I commuted from Atlanta to Orange County for 6 years (it made sense to someone ) and one of the things I miss from working in CA is IN-N-Out, it's spoiled all other fast food burgers for me. So I have to get at least one. I actually considered seeing if I can uber there from the airport and then uber to my hotel... it's an option!

Now working on where to go Sunday night. I can't get a flight home after Men's , don't want to do the Gala so... I am thinking I am moving to Los Gatos for the evening. I used to go there on business and remember really liking it.

 

[Carolla5501]

Has anyone heard when single tickets will go on sale? I thought it was October, but.... it's now 10/30 and no sale. (Yes, I know they think they will sell out with all event, but... I checked, they haven't done that )