Olympic Trials, Sept. 8-12, Northern Michigan U.

[gasp]

Summarizing everything above......

This event was originally scheduled in December right before school was out in Marquette. A letter was sent to Bob Crowley addressing the location and time of year and the contraints that placed on the fan base that Short Track was trying to build. He listened. The date was changed.

As for the location--Marquettes must be very home-town feel. The races are the evening so the locals can attend as well as the students. If nothing else that should bring a new level of fun to the event.

As far as the repeat location of the World Cup, yeah bummer.

Lori--with everything else you are doing, I don't blame you for disbanning the Google group. If nothing else, we can discuss the Sept event here and those who want to buddy up can do so via PMs or extend invites to one and all for whatever on this thread.

You've done a great job of providing, gathering, and sharing information. You need a break.

[breidy]

Feb 15, 2009 20:58:36 GMT -5 susie said:

And are they running Olympic Trials on that Friday? At first it seemed like they were not going to do that, but now it seems like they are. I'm confuzzled.

Susie, the site for ticket sales is selling tickets for the 8th, 9th, 11th and 12th. No competition on the 10th which is a Thursday.

According to the USS site the dates are listed as Sept. 9-12th.

Anyone's guess.

When I talked to the ticket site place last week I was told the VIP seats would be the first two rows in every section (excluding the end zone) and that they would be reserved.

[susie]

Thanks, Breidy. It looks like I'll be attending Friday and Saturday...probably fly back on Sunday. So you think the Friday races will be in the evening?

[sk8er]

I stayed at the Landmark, which is an old kinda fancy hotel. The skaters stayed at was it Holiday Inn Trisha? I had to hunt for an espresso! Found a coffee shop a few blocks away that knew the difference between a latte and a capuchino..lol. Marquette is a fun venue. It's a small town and the whole town got on board for the WC and filled the NMU rink. That's in contrast to almost any other WC you will attend outside Saturday night in SLC. Makes for a lot of energy. The downtown is small and the restaurants were excited to have the fans in town....really, Marquette IS a town and it has a nice feel to it. Unlike all these sprawling exurbs that never saw a sidewalk. Oh the local historical society is across from the Landmark. It's like something out of "A Prairie Home Companion" I'm hoping to go to Trials but not the WC. Less people probably, but I really want to see our best skaters giving it all. I personally doubt Apolo will be "giving away" a lot at the World Cups before the Olympics. But if the last Trials were any indication it will be a wild free for all with the US skaters.

Oh, and first two rows? Bad! The railings get in the way as I recall. Third row gets you above that. Trisha am I right about that?

SusanG

[apolostarr]

Thank you so much for the info.
Has anyone flown out of NY to Marquette before?
WHat hotel is recommended, are there any specials (may be too early to ask)
Carpooling?
I probably won't get tickets till later so I hope they are still available.

[breidy]

Feb 15, 2009 22:59:44 GMT -5 susie said:

Thanks, Breidy. It looks like I'll be attending Friday and Saturday...probably fly back on Sunday. So you think the Friday races will be in the evening?

Susie, if memory serves me correct (which it doesn't most of the time ) the start time each day is 6:00 p.m. I believe this is so the students at NMU can attend.

[A.O.Freak]

i just called about VIP tickets and their $165.00 for 4 days...

[number1fan]

booo....that's my p/r week...

maybe i can fly in thursday evening, attend friday and saturday's events then fly out sunday night

[trisha]

I do believe you are right - the Holiday Inn was one of the skater's hotels. I think the Landmark was where the officials stayed.

As far as the railing, I don't think it was as big an issue in Marquette as it was in Madison and maybe Milwaukee. There is a railing that runs up through the stairways and a railing along the tunnels, but other than that, I think we had a pretty clear view in Marquette. At least the pictures I have don't show a railing right in front of the seats.

Feb 15, 2009 23:46:59 GMT -5 sk8er said:

I stayed at the Landmark, which is an old kinda fancy hotel. The skaters stayed at was it Holiday Inn Trisha? I had to hunt for an espresso! Found a coffee shop a few blocks away that knew the difference between a latte and a capuchino..lol. Marquette is a fun venue. It's a small town and the whole town got on board for the WC and filled the NMU rink. That's in contrast to almost any other WC you will attend outside Saturday night in SLC. Makes for a lot of energy. The downtown is small and the restaurants were excited to have the fans in town....really, Marquette IS a town and it has a nice feel to it. Unlike all these sprawling exurbs that never saw a sidewalk. Oh the local historical society is across from the Landmark. It's like something out of "A Prairie Home Companion" I'm hoping to go to Trials but not the WC. Less people probably, but I really want to see our best skaters giving it all. I personally doubt Apolo will be "giving away" a lot at the World Cups before the Olympics. But if the last Trials were any indication it will be a wild free for all with the US skaters.

Oh, and first two rows? Bad! The railings get in the way as I recall. Third row gets you above that. Trisha am I right about that?

SusanG

[susie]

Feb 16, 2009 20:45:43 GMT -5 trisha said:

I do believe you are right - the Holiday Inn was one of the skater's hotels. I think the Landmark was where the officials stayed.

As far as the railing, I don't think it was as big an issue in Marquette as it was in Madison and maybe Milwaukee. There is a railing that runs up through the stairways and a railing along the tunnels, but other than that, I think we had a pretty clear view in Marquette. At least the pictures I have don't show a railing right in front of the seats.

Here's a pic from the 2003 World Cup. I think we'll be fine.

[evie5]

I was really looking forward to finally having a chance to see ST in person. I had the financial aspects all worked out and plenty of time to soften-up the hubby.

But...when I put in my vacation request I found out that my boss is planning to be on vacation at the same time.

I am the manager of the billing department and she is the CFO so my plans are out the window. If she changes her vacation then I maybe...

[number1fan]

that s*cks evie

i have to run the p/r every other week so unless it's an emergency, i shouldn't take off mon-wed of those weeks.

[tdav]

I hope things work out for all who's going (or trying to go).

*off-topic*
In regards to that picture, I'm soo glad we and Korea (and China) went to solid colors and I hope it stays that way.

[lilyover76]

I just called USOEC and they told me that the 'host hotel' is the Holiday Inn Marquette. They said to ask for the "speed-skating" rate.

So I called the Holiday Inn-Marquette (906-225-1351) and here is the rate:

$99 plus tax... breakfast NOT included but they do have a restaurant onsite.

[number1fan]

thanks tdav and lily!!!