Continue posting your comments and ideas here, and periodically 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.TIME FOR AN UPDATE:IMPORTANT: I'm going to refer people once again to my Yahoo Group
sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/SaltLakeCityShortTrackEvents-07-08/ I had thought about abandoning that idea, but when it was posted at OZ it really took off - 21 new members in 3 days, so I'm going to ask any of you who are interested to link to it and join, 'cause many (most) of you visit OZ anyway. I will try to make sure that all info from THERE gets HERE, and from HERE to THERE, but if you join and check there I'm sure it will be helpful, 'cause some of the members there have been to ST events at the Oval in years past.
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Some websites to check out: (Thank you Lily)
www.utah.com/lodging/saltlakecity.htm - hotel info
www.saltlakecity.com - visitor info
www.rideuta.com - public transportation - Click on *route finder* on the left column... that takes you to a page which shows:
UTA System Maps (in red)
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GROUND TRANSPORTATION:
Lily had a good suggestion - let's check out public transportation links to/from airport, hotels, Oval, just in case the weather's crappy (see the rideuta.com link above). If the forecast is good, we should be able to rent cars at the last minute, and if it's bad, we can opt for the public transportation or cabs.
I looked back at info from last year's Nationals... there was a shuttle that ran from the 'official' hotels to the venue (see 'HOTELS' below for my thoughts on that) - they asked that spectators allow competetors, officials and volunteers to board the earlier buses - I wonder if they are going to have the same arrangement in SLC?
TRAX was mentioned as an option, but it was said that we need to be aware that it only runs once per hour down 5400S on the weekends! (2x/hr on weekdays)
EDIT: From Lily: "
The TRAX (train) would not be good to get to the Oval (venue). This commuter train travels south from Delta Center-downtown to Sandy and is EAST of the I-15. I checked the UTA website and it doesn't indicate that they've built any rail systems to go West, towards the Oval."
Also from Lily:
"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)."-----------------------------------
HOTELS:
I just got the Utah AAA book and intend to check out any hotels at exit #18 off the 215 (the ones that Toehold told us about). They seem like a reasonable distance from the Oval, and she said there are good restaurants around that might be suitable for a group dinner.
I checked the Oval website, and there is NO information yet for either ST event, BUT the info for the
Long-Track WC in November lists the
Red Lion Downtown, and the
Little America Hotel as the 'official' hotels for that event. It's possible that these will be the same hotels used for ST, especially for the WC in Feb, when so many athletes are coming from out of town (or out of the country). It was mentioned by Noelle on my Yahoo site that the official hotels may provide special rates for those who are attending an event at the Oval if you ask...
From Floridafan and her research on TripAdvisor.com...
"
The hotel choices are very slim in this area (sic: Kearns Oval)... I suggest you read the reveiws which are most recent for hotels in Murray, West Valley City, and Midvale. The oval is in Kearns but I don't think there are any hotels there.
These areas will put you closest to the arena and right on the freeway for easy access.
The Oakwood at Jordan landing is brand new so that will be very clean.
LaQuita in Midvale or West Valley City
Country Inn Suites-West Valley
Fairfield Inn- Salt Lake 594 w and 4500 south
Days Inn- Midvale
There are decent restaurants within 1- 10 minutes of each of these."
'Anybody have info on these options?
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WILL APOLO SKATE?
I know that many of you are interested in seeing Apolo skate. I just want to remind you that we DON'T know if he is competing in either of these events. If the Long-Track WC is any indication, the PRELIMINARY roster isn't due 'till 2 weeks prior to the competition, and the FINAL roster isn't due 'till even later...but consider this:
A) No one I've ever known has been disappointed by attending a ST event, even if Apolo isn't competing. It's an exciting sport, and there are tremendous athletes competing from different countries, many of whom WILL be medalists in the next Olympics. Apolo has given his heart and energy to bringing attention to his sport, and we would honor
him by honoring his teammates, even if he's not competing... BONUS: We'd get to (finally) meet each other!
B) Since Apolo LIVES in SLC, it would be reasonable to think that he would be
attending one or both of these events in support of the US and his teammates. It might be a great opportunity for people to see him when he's not in 'competition mode'. However (as Ms. Lily wisely advised me), if he's not competing in Nationals (Dec 21-23), it might be a good excuse to go to Seattle for Christmas - so who knows?
(now see 'C' below)
C) I've heard that Apolo DOES want to compete at the World Championships in March, meaning that he MUST compete at Nationals in SLC (Dec) to qualify...so - again - who knows?
One of our members 'may' have some inside information coming on this subject, so stay tuned...but keep in mind that delaying your travel plans could mean higher prices and limited lodging availability...
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TICKETS:
VIP Tickets: Last year at Nationals in Cleveland they offered VIP tickets ($150), all-inclusive for all sessions, which included preferred seating, VIP hospitality and food, and some other incidentals. Non-VIP seating was no more than about $35 for an entire day. Something in my memory banks says that the VIP tickets included the opportunity to attend a banquet with the skaters - I don't remember if this was for the Nationals or the World Cup - anybody know for sure?
Word from the Oval is that for the Long-Track event in November there is a sponsor who picked up the tab for the event, and as a result, general admission is free. It's not known if the same thing will happen for the ST events...but cross your fingers.
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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
From Lily: "
The person in charge of race schedules is still working on the day-by-day schedule, so I was told to call back in a couple of days (which I will do).""Tentatively, they hope to have the races over around 1 PM on Sunday, for folks to catch plane flights out of SLC. Friday morning will start with time trials and races after that but the time was not disclosed yet."Latest info:
Day one: 1000m time trial & 1500m (semis & finals)
Day two: 500m (quarters, semis,& finals)
Day three: 1000m (quarters, semis & finals) + 3000m final + relay
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GROUP DINNER (TIMING)
This is old info, but I still 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...
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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
(There are at least 2 OZ regulars who are committed to one or both events)
Thanks to everyone who has contributed info! And LILY, I'm gonna call you my 'right-hand (wo)man!'
~Lori
