Skate America 2020 Back to Vegas

[SidelineSkater]

I'm thrilled SKAM is back to Vegas! We had great seats and there was an ease to get in and out of the arena. The concessions had enough variety and so did the casino for eating options. We stayed on the strip using a free nights offer thanks to my husband's gambling addiction hobby. And it wasn't too expensive to split an Uber/Lift between the four people in our group. We actually got married Sunday following the competition, combining some of our favorite things - ice skating, gambling and each other. It was a perfect weekend!

Skate America 2020 will be a great anniversary trip back. We've already asked our skating friends and the rest of our wedding party back to join us again.

 

[YukiNieve]

The Orleans Hotel raised the rate quite a bit compared to last year. (though compared to other regions, it is still relatively inexpensive).

 

[Carolla5501]

The Orleans Hotel raised the rate quite a bit compared to last year. (though compared to other regions, it is still relatively inexpensive).

I noticed that a lot of hotels were higher for this weekend than last year. I had booked a Town Place Suites last year for around $125, this year it was over $200. I’m wondering if maybe they’re bumping the rates up in speculation of the NFL schedule?

 

[skatesindreams]

I’m wondering if maybe they’re bumping the rates up in speculation of the NFL schedule?

That seems likely.

 

[Katta]

Hubby jumped on the idea of going to Vegas right away... His exact words were "can't tell the poker guys that I'm taking my wife to Vegas, but I don't have to spend any time at all with her"

Any idea when tickets to the actual skating will be available?

 

[Vash01]

Great! I missed it last year. Will definitely try this year.

 

[Carolla5501]

So on the outside chance that this event takes place book your hotel rooms now.


The Las Vegas raiders will be playing the Tampa Bay buccaneers that weekend. Yes folks, Tom Brady will be in town. I expect Saturday night hotel rooms are going to go through the roof

 

[Karen-W]

So on the outside chance that this event takes place book your hotel rooms now.


The Las Vegas raiders will be playing the Tampa Bay buccaneers that weekend. Yes folks, Tom Brady will be in town. I expect Saturday night hotel rooms are going to go through the roof

The NFL thinks they're going to be able to have games with full stadia?

 

[MacMadame]

I don't understand why people think that USFS's contract with The Orleans won't include a block of rooms for skaters & families, coaches officials, fans, etc.

 

[jkl]

So on the outside chance that this event takes place book your hotel rooms now.


The Las Vegas raiders will be playing the Tampa Bay buccaneers that weekend. Yes folks, Tom Brady will be in town. I expect Saturday night hotel rooms are going to go through the roof

And it is the 7:20pm game on Sunday night so flights home on Monday will be expensive.

 

[Carolla5501]

The NFL thinks they're going to be able to have games with full stadia?

Some skating fans think they are going to have skating events...


Who knows? But the NFL is moving ahead with their plans.

 

[Frau Muller]

I wouldn’t be surprised if this & other G-P events go on without audiences. I hope I’m wrong about the “no audiences” part but...I believe that the best that we could hope for are skating events with only skaters, officials, coaches, limited media crews but no fans.

 

[tony]

I wouldn’t be surprised if this & other G-P events go on without audiences. I hope I’m wrong about the “no audiences” part but...I believe that the best that we could hope for are skating events with only skaters, officials, coaches, limited media crews but no fans.

You’re then hopeful that every single country involved opens traveling regulations and that all of these people involved are willing to go to bigger cities to get to the airport, fly with a bunch of people (which for many of them may mean going from next-to-no contact for months to close contact with hundreds of people), and get to their destination. You’re also hopeful that every country allows their skaters to get back on the ice and have enough time to train for these events. If even one major country isn’t able to do this, then you’re potentially wiping out up to 18 Grand Prix spots in one discipline alone. (ETA- and honestly, it seems like some of the countries grasp the concept that if the numbers are going up still, there’s no sense in opening anything up).

The skaters themselves aren’t going to be any more at risk of anything by competing in front of a full audience. It’s just the logistics of getting from point A to point B. They are going to be put in a similar risk of the audience sitting close to each other inside the arena.

And honestly, events without much of an audience aren’t the most exciting. Imagine no audience. It would be like a test session, and I don’t see there being a huge rush for those situations regardless of people wanting to get back to competition life. Could be wrong though. (ETA- I know someone is going to quote this saying that’s nonsense and small events can be just as exciting. But from the skaters I’ve been in contact with, none seem to have a desperate rush to get back to things if the conditions are not 100% right).

 

[Vagabond]

Imagine this or this with no audience.

 

[MacMadame]

Imagine this or this with no audience.

Most of us saw those programs on tv anyway.

 

[AnnM]

I don't understand why people think that USFS's contract with The Orleans won't include a block of rooms for skaters & families, coaches officials, fans, etc.

Rarely if ever do blocks have enough availability for every spectator, and not everyone wants to stay off Strip or at The Orleans. I don't understand why that's difficult to understand.

Just make sure your reservations are fully refundable y'all.

 

[AnnM]

The NFL thinks they're going to be able to have games with full stadia?

Even if they can't be at the stadium, a lot of fans, especially Raiders fans and Brady fans, will still want to be where the action is so to speak. Besides, Vegas already had a good number of people who liked going there just to play the sports books on game days.

 

[MacMadame]

Rarely if ever do blocks have enough availability for every spectator, and not everyone wants to stay off Strip or at The Orleans. I don't understand why that's difficult to understand.

I was speaking more to the people who keep saying we must all make our reservations early or we won't get a room at the Orleans. If you don't want to stay there, then that doesn't apply to you.

 

[Vagabond]

Most of us saw those programs on tv anyway.

Try imagining what would have happened if the only thing to be heard in the last minute of those programs was the music and the only thing to be heard when the music stopped was the sound of two hands clapping.

 

[MacMadame]

Try imagining what would have happened if the only thing to be heard in the last minute of those programs was the music and the only thing to be heard when the music stopped was the sound of two hands clapping.

I think it would be fine. Like eliminating the laugh track to a sit com.

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

You’re then hopeful that every single country involved opens traveling regulations and that all of these people involved are willing to go to bigger cities to get to the airport, fly with a bunch of people (which for many of them may mean going from next-to-no contact for months to close contact with hundreds of people), and get to their destination. You’re also hopeful that every country allows their skaters to get back on the ice and have enough time to train for these events. If even one major country isn’t able to do this, then you’re potentially wiping out up to 18 Grand Prix spots in one discipline alone. (ETA- and honestly, it seems like some of the countries grasp the concept that if the numbers are going up still, there’s no sense in opening anything up).

The skaters themselves aren’t going to be any more at risk of anything by competing in front of a full audience. It’s just the logistics of getting from point A to point B. They are going to be put in a similar risk of the audience sitting close to each other inside the arena.

And honestly, events without much of an audience aren’t the most exciting. Imagine no audience. It would be like a test session, and I don’t see there being a huge rush for those situations regardless of people wanting to get back to competition life. Could be wrong though. (ETA- I know someone is going to quote this saying that’s nonsense and small events can be just as exciting. But from the skaters I’ve been in contact with, none seem to have a desperate rush to get back to things if the conditions are not 100% right).

Agreed.

With cases (and fatalities) rising by the day, USA isn't even close to flattening the curve. Even if state and international borders reopen, I can't think of many people willing to risk their lives just to attend a skating event.

 

[tony]

I think it would be fine. Like eliminating the laugh track to a sit com.

There would probably be a huge difference when there is absolutely 0 energy for some skaters to feed off. Also, it’s still putting the skaters at the same risk as the audience sitting near each other by actually getting there. They aren’t getting on flights with no one else on board. And if the skating season has started, then I would think most other social events have started as well regardless of numbers rising, which means potential of a whole lot of people traveling.

 

[MacMadame]

There would probably be a huge difference when there is absolutely 0 energy for some skaters to feed off. Also, it’s still putting the skaters at the same risk as the audience sitting near each other by actually getting there. They aren’t getting on flights with no one else on board. And if the skating season has started, then I would think most other social events have started as well regardless of numbers rising, which means potential of a whole lot of people traveling.

I'm not saying events should go on. I'm saying that I think they could go on without audiences. People are acting like that idea is outrageous and completely unworkable and I don't get this. I know plenty of elite athletes including skaters and if the choice was between getting to the Olympics or putting off all competitions until there could be audiences, I know which one they would pick.

 

[AnnM]

I was speaking more to the people who keep saying we must all make our reservations early or we won't get a room at the Orleans. If you don't want to stay there, then that doesn't apply to you.

The arena capacity is approx 10,000 and there are just under 2000 rooms in the hotel. They won't block all rooms for the event. Even if you want to stay at The Orleans, then you need to plan ahead accordingly.

 

[aftershocks]

Maybe something virtual can be developed in the future if traveling and large crowds will not be feasible for awhile.

The below memorable performances were even more integral to the audience's ongoing participation and vocal expressions of awe and admiration:

2014 US National Championships Jason Brown FS Riverdance

www.youtube.com

1996 Worlds, lp "Salome"

This is the moment when she won her first world title

www.youtube.com

Mariah Bell wows in Nationals free skate I NBC Sports

Mariah Bell finally has her 'Hallelujah' moment at the 2020 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, skating an incredible program that landed her on the podium an...

www.youtube.com

Tara Lipinski (USA) - 1998 Nagano, Figure Skating, Ladies' Free Skate

Nagano, JAPAN - 1998 Winter Games, Figure Skating, Ladies' Free Skate - Tara Lipinski of the United States skated a perfect program to the music from motion ...

www.youtube.com

[HD] Paul Wylie - 1992 Albertville Olympic - Free Skating

Paul Wylie / Пол Уайли / ポール・ワイリー [HD] 1992 Albertville Olympics - Playlists Men - Free Skating: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgo7E_HF6TjohHJKW3DB2...

www.youtube.com

1988 Calgary Olympics - Brian Boitano (USA) Free Skate

Brian Boitano's Winning Free Skate To The Music: "Napoleon & Josephine" Choreographed by Sandra Bezic

www.youtube.com

Babilonia Gardner 1979 US Nationals Long Program

www.youtube.com

MICHELLE KWAN,2004.LONG PROGRAM.

THE GREAT MICHELLE KWAN GOING FOR HER 8TH U.S. FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIP, IN 2004.

www.youtube.com

Rudy Galindo - 1996 U S Figure Skating Championships, Men's Long Program

www.youtube.com

Johnny WEIR USA 2006 Olympics SP

www.youtube.com

2013 Worlds Dance SD Meryl Davis & Charlie White Giselle by Adolphe Adam

www.youtube.com

Davis/White 2010 Olympics OD 'Idian Folk Dance'

Meryl Davis and Charlie White Indian dance. Davis and White display the creativity that won them silver in the ice dance competition at the Vancouver 2010 Wi...

www.youtube.com

2017 WC - Tessa VIRTUE/Scott MOIR (SD) B.ESP

설명

www.youtube.com

[HD]Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir FD 2010 Vancouver Olympics (Symphony No.5 by Gustav Mahler)

Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir 2010 Vancouver Olympics Free Dance (Ice Dance Champion)Music: Symphony No.5 by Gustav Mahler arranged by Ryner StoetzerTotal Score1...

www.youtube.com

2012 WC Davis & White FD ESP

www.youtube.com

Denis Ten - 2013 World Championships - SP

Denis Ten - 2013 World Championships - SP

www.youtube.com

2011 Worlds: Patrick Chan free skate - from Universal Sports

http://www.UniversalSports.com 2011, Moscow, Russia, ISU World Figure Skating Championship, Chan (CAN) finally gets his World Championship gold, after settli...

www.youtube.com

Denis Ten - 2013 World Championships - LP

Denis Ten - 2013 World Championships - LP

www.youtube.com

Nathan Chen 2016-2017 Long Program

Polovtsian Dances (from Prince Igor) by Alexander Borodin choreo. by Nadia KanaevaFrom the 2017 US National ChampionshipsPart of a Ice Skating Routine Docume...

www.youtube.com

2015 U.S. Nationals Adam Rippon FS NBC

Adam Rippon 2008 Junior World Championships FS.

www.youtube.com

2014 US Nationals-Jeremy Abbott SP [HD]

www.youtube.com

Meagan DUHAMEL / Eric RADFORD - 2016 World Championships - LP (BBC)

Meagan DUHAMEL / Eric RADFORD - 2016 World Championships - LP (BBC)Aliona Savchenko & Bruno Massot's long program can be found on my dailymotion channel - h...

www.youtube.com

Ross Miner, Queen Medley

Ross' Silver Medal winning free skate from 2018 US Nationals, San José

www.youtube.com

Aljona Savchenko and Bruno Massot (GER) - Gold Medal | Pairs Free Skating | PyeongChang 2018

Enjoy Aljona Savchenko and Bruno Massot of Germany's breathtaking Pairs Free Skating gold medal performance at the Winter Games 2018 at PyeongChang.See every...

www.youtube.com

2016 U.S. Nationals Shibutani / Shibutani FD NBC HD

2016 US Championships - Alex Shibutani & Maia Shibutani Free Dance LIVE NBC High Definition No commentary link: 2016 US Championships - Alex Shibutani | Maia...

www.youtube.com

US Figure Skating Championship 2019: Ashley Cain and Timothy LeDuc’s free skate | NBC Sports

Watch Ashley Cain and Timothy LeDuc’s free skate from the 2019 US Figure Skating Championship. #NBCSports #FigureSkating #USFigureSkatingChampionships #Ashle...

www.youtube.com

IDF 2017 Vanessa JAMES / Morgan CIPRES SP

www.youtube.com

Wenjing SUI и Cong HAN FS 2018-2019

www.youtube.com

Gabriella PAPADAKIS / Guillaume CIZERON - 2015 World Championships - FD

Gabriella PAPADAKIS / Guillaume CIZERON - 2015 World Championships - FD

www.youtube.com

Gabriella PAPADAKIS / Guillaume CIZERON - 2016 World Championships - FD (BBC)

Gabriella PAPADAKIS / Guillaume CIZERON - 2016 World Championships - FD (BBC)

www.youtube.com

Yuzuru Hanyu Breaks Olympic Record - Full Short Program | #Sochi365

13th February 2014 Japan's Yuzuru Hanyu set a new Olympic points record with his Short Program performance in the men's Figure Skating event at the Sochi 201...

www.youtube.com

Nathan Chen's gold medal winning free skate at 2019 World Championship | NBC Sports

Nathan Chen mesmerizes in his free skate at the 2019 World Championships on his quest to win his second world title, skating under immense pressure on Yuzuru...

www.youtube.com

VANESSA JAMES & MORGAN CIPRES SP - Skate Canada 2018 - 720p/Sans commentaire

Entraineurs : John Zimmerman, Jeremy BarrettMusique : Uninvited - Alanis Morissette choreo. Guillaume Cizeron* ATTENTION *Les commentaires insultants envers ...

www.youtube.com

IDF 2017 Vanessa JAMES / Morgan CIPRES FS

www.youtube.com

Maia & Alex Shibutani's Ice dance to 'Paradise' by Coldplay at PyeongChang 2018 | Music Monday

Enjoy Maia & Alex Shibutani's Ice Dance to "Paradise" by Coldplay at the Figure Skating Gala of the Olympic Winter Games 2018 in PyeongChang.Subscribe to the...

www.youtube.com

Alexa Scimeca & Chris Knierim FS Four Continents 2016

Alexa Scimeca & Chris Knierim FS Four Continents 2016

www.youtube.com

Vanessa James / Morgan Cipres. ЧЕ 2017, ПП 3

www.youtube.com

Tarah Kayne Danny O'Shea Nats16 SP

Kayne O'Shea Nats16 SP

www.youtube.com

2019 EC FP - Vanessa James & Morgan Cipres (FRA)

www.youtube.com

Frazier/Denney FS 2019

www.youtube.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCp6t5-Cg-g (U.S. nationals 2020 performance still isn't posted on YT)

 

[Yuri]

Have any of you ever attended training sessions for elite figure skaters? When they do full run-throughs of their competition programs, it is totally silent until the end of the program when you get the smattering of claps from the other skaters on the ice with them. If it's near a competition date and several skaters/teams let's say are doing run-throughs under simulated conditions (perhaps even in costume), they will all rally each other in support.

So I absolutely can imagine watching group after group of elite skaters warming up and skating competitive programs without the roar of a crowd or rhythmic clapping. It's actually more normal for skaters than the packed audience experience which some large clubs may try to simulate with send-off or holiday shows. Elite skaters can perform just fine thank you without large crowds particularly if they are used to daily mini competitions among their training mates.

Which is why I would be looking into hotel rooms in Las Vegas to watch Skate America (and try to score a ticket to see Tom Brady play the Raiders LOL), but I have season tickets and there's no way I will skip the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens game to be held on the final Sunday!

My team has its bye the following week, so I need to look into attending Skate Canada...

 

[PeterG]

Imagine what we might get to see from the type of skater who gets overwhelmed by audience reaction and expectations. We might get to see some skaters shine like we have never seen them shine ever before. This could be very exciting, this silence of an empty, quiet arena.

 

[clairecloutier]

Skating competitions are held all the time with little to no audience. Club competitions, JGPs, and many Challenger Series and senior B events are cases in point. Yeah, people tend to expect bigger audiences at senior GP events. However, I'm sure the skaters could cope with having no audience, as they will have performed in many similar situations during their careers.

The real concern in regard to the senior GP circuit, as I see it, is the necessity of airline travel for athletes, coaches, judges, officials, and press. Because that doesn't change, whether or not the events are open to audiences. And another problem would be the current rate of infection in host countries that are struggling. I don't really see any way of mitigating those risks.

 

[skatesindreams]

Competitors would need to arrive early to deal with conditions/possible complications.

 

[clairecloutier]

Competitors would need to arrive early to deal with conditions/possible complications.

Yes, but that wouldn't reduce the risk of exposure to the virus while in airplanes/airports. Or while at the competition itself (although that would probably be of slightly lesser concern than the actual travel risk).