SLC Short Track Group - "Let's DO This!"

[Lori]

Hey, y'all, I've started a thread for the Salt Lake City short-track events - this will be a place to organize and share information for fans who are thinking about attending EITHER or BOTH:

1) Senior Nationals (Dec 21-23, 2007)
2) World Cup #6 (Feb 8-10, 2008)

Even if you're 'not sure' about going, join us - maybe you have information that will be helpful to the group, or maybe it'll help you make up your mind to go!

TALKING POINTS:
1) Find out who is going!
2) Get hotel ideas and options
3) Arrange a meet-up or group dinner(?)
4) Provide a network for sharing rooms or ground transportation
5) Share tips on subjects such as airfares / car rental / sightseeing
6) Ask & answer questions about the events

EDIT: You may have noticed that I changed my original post. I had originally asked that everyone use the Yahoo Group I started, 'cause I thought it might be easier on me, but I've changed my mind on that.

I think it would be better if we just continue to use THIS thread, because it makes no sense for GA members to have to go to Yahoo when we have everything we need right here to organize and message each other quickly.

I hope this change makes it more convenient for everyone here to get involved. (Sorry for changing things up - this is on-the-fly training for me.)

[lilyover76]

Good goin', Lori!

This should be a big help to everyone interested, or just curious!

I do have some knowledge of the area so I hope I can be of some help!

[skaterswaltz]

Thank you, Lori, for starting this thread! I am definitely thinking about going to the December 21-23 event. Do we know if Apolo would race all three days? Just trying to plan my flights and don't know if I need to be there all three days.

[mtnme]

What a great idea Lori!!! Thanks for starting this. I was planning on the February Event myself. Maybe check out Park City while I'm there. Thanks again! I'm off to the link!

[lilyover76]

skaterswaltz said:

I am definitely thinking about going to the December 21-23 event. Do we know if Apolo would race all three days? Just trying to plan my flights and don't know if I need to be there all three days.

Skaterswaltz, go to the USSpeedskating website and on the main page, click on the *Rules* box on the right. Then click 2007/2008 Regulations-Short Track. Then scroll on down to the US Senior Championship regulations; I think it was page 9 of 15.

Here is the 3-day schedule:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day one: 1000m time trial & 1500m (semis & finals)

Day two: 500m (quarters, semis,& finals)

Day three: 1000m (quarters, semis & finals) + 3000m final + relay

Olympic Oval personel did not know the start times for each days events... he said to check back in October or November, or check the USS website.

Furthermore, there are rules for the ST World championships (March) and it states there that an individual must compete in all individual events qualified for at the US Championship (Dec.) to qualify for the World Championship...(I read that Apolo will compete at this event.)... Page 6 of 15.

[Lori]

I JUST WANTED TO CALL EVERYONE'S ATTENTION TO A CHANGE I MADE IN MY ORIGINAL POST:

I had originally asked that everyone use the Yahoo Group I started, 'cause I thought it might be easier on me, but I've changed my mind on that.

I think it would be better if we just continue to use THIS thread, because it makes no sense for GA members to have to go to Yahoo when we have everything we need right here to organize and message each other quickly.

I hope this change makes it more convenient for everyone here to get involved. (Sorry for changing things up - this is on-the-fly training for me.)

[Lori]

What I'm going to do is let people post their comments and ideas here, and every few days (or once a week), I'll summarize the list of people going and any important information that has come up since my last summary. That way people won't have to worry about missing anything.

TALKING POINTS:
1) Who thinks they're going to which events? (See list below.)

2) Hotels - I'll start checking out some hotel options - any ideas? The airport area has been suggested. Keep in mind that some of you may be able to cut costs if you arrange to share rooms or cars.

3) Group Dinner - Who would be interested? (See list below.) Is there anybody who knows SLC well enough to recommend a restaurant for this? I would think that since we don't know the event schedule, the best time for that would be the Thursday night before each competition starts, but that would mean everyone would have to be there an extra night. We would need to decide this before people start making their travel arrangements...

4) Schedule of Events - Lily posted the general schedule above (I've re-posted it here), but the times are not yet determined. She has graciously agreed to keep checking and let us know ASAP when the start times are announced. For now, though, as you make your plans, I would assume that there will be a full 3 days of skating, including time trials, heats and medal ceremonies. Here is what we know so far:

Day one: 1000m time trial & 1500m (semis & finals)

Day two: 500m (quarters, semis,& finals)

Day three: 1000m (quarters, semis & finals) + 3000m final + relay

---------------------------------
HERE ARE THE RESPONSES I'VE GOTTEN SO FAR:
(I'll put 'firm' by anyone's name who has actually made reservations)

WHICH EVENT?
Mtnme: February
Lori: February AND 'possibly' December
Lily: February and December (firm)
Skaterswaltz: December

GROUP DINNER:
Mtnme
Lori + (?)husband(?)
Lily + (?)husband(?)
Skaterswaltz

[lilyover76]

I've already made hotel reservations for both Dec. and Feb.

Put me down for a group dinner (we'll be there a few days early); my husband would go if there will be some male fans going to the dinner.

[lilyover76]

Check out this website:

www.utah.com/lodging/saltlakecity.htm

Tons of info here...

[lilyover76]

Try this site also, it has many facets of visitor info:

www.saltlakecity.com/

[toehold4]

There are 4-5 hotels off exit # 18 on I-215, which is about 3-4 miles south of the airpost, and 2-3 miles NE of the Oval. I think that is the closest with several options...there are also several resturants there where you could probably do the group dinner, like Ruby Tuesday's...places like that!

[skaterswaltz]

Thank you so much Lori for organizing us. If I can work out the details and go in December, I'll definitely want to go to the group dinner so please put me down!!

Thank you!

Is everyone staying at the same hotel so we can carpool to the Oval?

[Lori Girl Next Door]

Thanks for the links, Lily. I had my nose in those sites for awhile yesterday. I think they'll be useful for everybody.

Thanks to you too, Toehold for taking the time to give the info on those hotels (and you aren't even going - that's sweet ). I'll check into that area.

Skaterswaltz, it would be fun to stay in the same place, but for now, I think people are staying in whatever hotel fits their budget and desired area. It would be nice to hear what hotels people are staying in, so those who want to can stay in the same hotel or area.

[lilyover76]

Lori said:

Thanks for the links, Lily. I had my nose in those sites for awhile yesterday. I think they'll be useful for everybody.

Thanks to you too, Toehold for taking the time to give the info on those hotels (and you aren't even going - that's sweet ). I'll check into that area.

Skaterswaltz, it would be fun to stay in the same place, but for now, I think people are staying in whatever hotel fits their budget and desired area. It would be nice to hear what hotels people are staying in, so those who want to can stay in the same hotel or area.

Lori, I'm glad to help.

Transportation: There is a website for UTA (Utah Transit) for the traveler flying into SLC: www.rideuta.com
Click on *route finder* on the left column... that takes you to a page which shows: UTA System Maps (in red)

If anyone is renting a car at the airport, be aware that this is snow country and there could be icy driving conditions.... so using UTA whenever possible makes sense. There appears to be a bus route that goes right by the OVAL, route #348, which also goes near the SLC airport and also downtown to Temple Square (for sight-seeing). If you are used to driving in snow and have 4-wheel drive, you should be okay.

Lodgings: We're staying at a Comfort Inn in Sandy... near 8900 street offramp at I-15. This is a budget to moderate priced chain that we frequently use b/c we are members of ChoiceHotel chain and we accrue points for free rooms. There is a nicer Comfort Inn & Suites by the airport (which we have reserved for Feb.), but the price for December was much higher so we booked the one in Sandy. This chain also includes the SLEEP INNs and there is a location fairly close to the OVAL. Most of the hotels in the chain offer an expanded deluxe continental breakfast (free). We also use the Best Western chain (for points) and they also offer a nice free breakfast. Here are their websites:

www.choicehotels.com
www.bestwestern.com

There is also the Holiday inns, Ramada Inns, La Quinta Inns, all in the mid-price range.
If price is of no concern... there are a lot of hotels in SLC.

I'm going to research some restaurant location, but it might take a few days. I have to go to Long Beach for a meeting, leaving Friday so I don't know how much I'll get done before then. It's been about 4 years since we were last in SLC so I'll have to brush up.

[lilyover76]

Restaurants:
There is a Red Robin restaurant at the Valley Fair Mall:
intersection of 1-215 and South 3500.

Also, at Fashion Place Mall, East of the I-!5 about 8 blocks at:
6191 S State St, Murray, UT (This location is further east and south, from the Red Robin location)
Applebee's and Olive garden