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Post by skaterswaltz on Nov 7, 2007 14:03:37 GMT -5
LORI - YOU ROCK! Thank you so much for this information!!
You, too, Lily!!!
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Post by Lindsey on Nov 7, 2007 16:52:56 GMT -5
I'm so jealous of you all who are going... I hadn't been keeping up as well as I should have been with this thread because I knew Lori had it under control, but I am really impressed with all the research and info that you all have dug up (esp. Lori and Lily!!) Thank you all so much!
If only I wasn't in school and relatively poor.... *sigh* I will be depending on you all to keep us updated with videos, photos, etc.! Anything will make me happy!
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Post by lisam on Nov 8, 2007 10:42:41 GMT -5
All you girls are so lucky to be going! I was seriously thinking about going to the Feb one but I just don't think I can make it, too many things going on with me and my family at that time. But there's always next year and the year after that...if he competes in Utah again. I'm excited to hear all about it next month!
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Post by lilyover76 on Nov 8, 2007 12:33:43 GMT -5
I have a couple of questions for any of you who have attended a race competition. (My Saturday and Sunday seats are in the VIP section.) if I have VIP seats at a race, can I get up and move around to take photos, or am I bound to sit just in the VIP section; is the VIP section usually on the straight portion of the track???  If I'm not allowed to get up and move, then I think I'll buy a *general admission* ticket for Dec./Friday races so I can get a position on the curve (best location for action shots). I intend to take a ton of action photos with my high-speed digital camera and my hubby is taking his camcorder. A relative is asking if there is an *opening ceremonies* for the December races. |
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Post by Lori on Nov 8, 2007 12:56:49 GMT -5
if I have VIP seats at a race, can I get up and move around to take photos, or am I bound to sit just in the VIP section; is the VIP section usually on the straight portion of the track??? I've always heard that you can get up and move around. I remember many comments from OZ'ers where they sat at various places throughout the weekend. Here's a recent quote from someone at the Yahoo Group answering the same question: " At Nationals, there was a special VIP section which was closer to the finish line. It's fun to move around to watch the races in a variety of different spots." Matt K says they expect about 1,000 people in Dec, and about 2,500 in Feb. So your ability to move around depends, of course, on how many empty seats there are! I would assume that the only place you CAN'T go (without the proper ticket) is the VIP section. A relative is asking if there is an *opening ceremonies* for the December races. The closest thing I've ever heard of is a banquet that spectators are often allowed to attend. This would be at the end of the meet, and Matt says there will not be one for Nationals. He doesn't know yet about World Cup. |
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Post by lilyover76 on Nov 8, 2007 13:21:39 GMT -5
Thanks again, Lori, for your quick feedback! Since the finish line is usually at the straight-away... I'll have to decide if I want a VIP for Friday as well, or just get a general admission ticket! I might be too excited, on Friday, to sit in ANY seat for any length of time, much less a VIP seat (and waste it)!!!    |
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Post by mtnme on Nov 8, 2007 14:05:08 GMT -5
I may be able to make the December nationals. Since I'm single, I will be going by myself (....my friends and family do not share my interest on this subject- well, not enough to go to SLC anyway...) Part of the fun was meeting those of you I have been chatting with for so long. So my question is- is everyone getting VIP seating- or are some of you buying the general seating tickets? - 'Cause hey! what's the fun of sitting all by yourself ?  |
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Post by Lori on Nov 8, 2007 14:22:49 GMT -5
I may be able to make the December nationals. Since I'm single, I will be going by myself (....my friends and family do not share my interest on this subject- well, not enough to go to SLC anyway...) Part of the fun was meeting those of you I have been chatting with for so long. So my question is- is everyone getting VIP seating- or are some of you buying the general seating tickets? - 'Cause hey! what's the fun of sitting all by yourself ? The only people who have told me they purchased tickets got VIP tix. I just got them for all 3 days, as did one of my OZ friends, and Lily got them for Sat & Sun. Vets in the Yahoo Group and OZ swear by them. My understanding is that if you get the VIP tickets you can still sit outside the VIP area if you wish (i.e. with general admission friends), but without them you can't get IN to the VIP area. |
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Post by Lori on Nov 8, 2007 17:05:07 GMT -5
Hey, y'all, check out the link to Jersey's Sports Grill - photos, menu, prices, etc. It's right behind the Red Lion, and it could be perfect for the February group dinner if people are staying there or at the Hilton Garden Inn. I have some queries out to people from the Yahoo Group who live in SLC to see if any of them have been there. It may be good for the Dec. group dinner, too, though the official hotels are further away. My thought is that those who wanted to could take Trax (free from there) either before or after the dinner to Temple Square to see the Christmas lights. www.dininginutah.com/jerseys.htm |
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Post by lilyover76 on Nov 8, 2007 23:02:40 GMT -5
I may be able to make the December nationals. Since I'm single, I will be going by myself (....my friends and family do not share my interest on this subject- well, not enough to go to SLC anyway...) Part of the fun was meeting those of you I have been chatting with for so long. So my question is- is everyone getting VIP seating- or are some of you buying the general seating tickets? - 'Cause hey! what's the fun of sitting all by yourself ? Mtnme... I do hope you make it to the Nationals! My best friend says, "you only live once", so you gotta go when you can! As I had stated earlier, I do have VIP tickets for Sat. and Sun. and was thinking of getting *general* on Friday. But I think I'm going to change my mind and get VIP. That way, I can mosey around anywhere in the arena, providing it isn't jammed packed with sold-out seats. If you're buying general seating, I'll come visit you!   |
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Post by lilyover76 on Nov 8, 2007 23:34:54 GMT -5
Hey, y'all, check out the link to Jersey's Sports Grill - photos, menu, prices, etc. It's right behind the Red Lion, and it could be perfect for the February group dinner if people are staying there or at the Hilton Garden Inn. I have some queries out to people from the Yahoo Group who live in SLC to see if any of them have been there. It may be good for the Dec. group dinner, too, though the official hotels are further away. My thought is that those who wanted to could take Trax (free from there) either before or after the dinner to Temple Square to see the Christmas lights. www.dininginutah.com/jerseys.htmWow, Lori... Christmas lights at Temple Square... that should be an awesome sight! I did look at Jersey's Sports Grill website and it looks great for a group (reasonable menu prices), especially for Feb. But for December, I'm wondering if folks will want to travel away from their hotel area (assuming that most will stay near Exit 18/Valley Fair Mall. I like the idea of the restaurants at Valley Fair Mall. I wonder which one will accomodate a group the best. I know that Applebee's and Chili's might be a little tight... but I love their food. Maybe someone knows if Ruby Tuesday would have an area away from the main patrons. I modified my hotel reservation for December... we are staying at the Crystal Inn on Friday and Saturday nights. Their hot buffet breakfast won us over! LOL...  We'll stay with our original hotel for Wednesday and Thursday (Comfort Inn - Sandy) b/c we have earned points for free rooms. |
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Post by skaterswaltz on Nov 8, 2007 23:47:17 GMT -5
I DID IT! I just ordered VIP tickets for all three days! Now I have to work out the other details - like a roundtrip flight, rental car and hotel! Even if I don't go all 3 days, at least I have tickets!!
Lori - thank you so much for posting the link to buy tickets at ohnozone! Lily - thank you for all the hotel info - I'll check it out! The Christmas lights excusion sounds beautiful.
SO EXCITING! Those short clips of him at the Oval really got to me and just made me feel like I need to see this in person.
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Post by toehold4 on Nov 9, 2007 1:28:02 GMT -5
I'll post this in the ST thread also...Article about the beginning of Speedskating season, and about Shani Davis and his ongoing issues with USS. Please note the last sentence... Apolo skating in Feb., but nothing about December... I had to copy and paste the link, or it would break up... deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695225768,00.html |
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Post by lilyover76 on Nov 9, 2007 12:17:15 GMT -5
Lori... you wrote (below - bold/underlined) and I *think* Matt's reference is about *qualifying* as I have shown below: "B) Matt Kooreman, the person I've been in contact with at the Oval is quite sure he'll be competing in December, saying that Apolo got a special exemption so that he COULD compete, and that he MUST compete to go to Worlds / World Cup. (the World Cup part confused me a little...)"According to USS rules for Short Track: "U.S. Senior ST Championships/ World Cup #5 and #6 Qualifier and World Championships Qualifier" So December is a qualifyer for both World and World Cup. But we don't know for sure yet, (do we???), if Apolo will enter the World Cup competition. Furthermore, the USS rules also state that a racer (who qualify from the Nationals) must compete in both World Cup 5 & 6, not just February for W.C. 6.... I hope I haven't totally confused everyone (that wasn't my intent!).....
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Post by Lori on Nov 9, 2007 17:36:30 GMT -5
Some news -
Southwest.com is having a systemwide sale - $99 or less each way. I.E, from Los Angeles it's $81 each way (I just booked my Dec airfare today). Sale ends November 12.
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I'm looking at Ruby Tuesday for the December group dinner. It's within walking distance of the official hotels (Country Inn and Crystal Inn). I called and they said they could easily
handle a group on Thursday night, Dec 20, and they could do separate checks for everyone.
I'm going to SLC a few days early in December 'cause my brother lives there, and we're planning to have dinner at Jersey's Sports Grill, so that I can check it out for the February group. It's within walking distance of the hotels most people are staying at for the World Cup (Red Lion and Hilton Garden Inn).
Obviously, no place will please everybody, but I'm just trying to git-'er-done so that we'll be set up. Does all of this sound okay with everyone?
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Hints (and reminders) for hotel booking...
December:
When booking at the Country Inn, make sure you ask for that $80 rate. Tell them that's the rate that was listed on an information sheet put out by US Speedskating...
If you're staying at Crystal Inn, ask for the 'Holiday Special' - it's $79.
February:
If you're staying at the Red Lion, ask for the 'Short Track Special'. It's $89. Any problems - ask for Dave Johnson.
Anthony Barthell, an AmCupII skater and a member of our Yahoo Group, works at the Hilton Garden Inn. He says that they're also giving a special rate to skaters and fans for the WC. I 'think' it's $79 - he asks that you contact him at anthony.barthell@hilton.com and tell him what type of room you want - Queen, Queen w/sofabed, King, King w/sofabed.
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Lily, I 'think' I'm gonna stay put at the Country Inn (for now) - we can have 'hot breakfast wars' next month! LOL!
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~Lori
