Welcome to Wichita!

[jkl]

I’m at the Intrust Arena watching practice. The arena is just fine. Seats are comfortable. My only snark is that two different employees were impressed that I came “all that way” just to watch skating. One more comment like that and I’m going to have an epic meltdown.

 

[Debbie S]

At the first U.S. Classic in SLC in 2012, the vols staffing the ticket sales were in similar shock that I came from across the country. But there were only about 20 people in attendance who weren't related to the skaters. Do the Wichita arena employees think no one travels to see nat'l-level events?

 

[livetoskate]

Hope you all have a wonderful time watching the skating in person! (Be careful with the ice- I remember slipping and sliding on the sidewalks in Portland). I'll watch this time from the comfort of my living room, but I'll be there for Worlds as well as nationals next year!

 

[jkl]

The zamboni driver is cute.

 

[acraven]

There's an updated (I assume) Nationals schedule posted on usfigureskating.org. 8 haven't figured out what has changed. Go here and click on "Color Schedule": Jan 17 Nationals schedule

The times of four of the senior/championship competitive segments have been slightly adjusted. All are later than their previous times, so these last-minute late updates shouldn't cause anyone to arrive late for an event. The new times are:

Champ. Pairs SP -- Thursday 5:10 - 7:05 PM
Champ. RD -- Friday 4:19 - 6:38 PM
Champ. Women's FS - Friday 6:53 - 9:52 PM
Champ. Men's FS - Sunday 1:47 - 4:51 PM

These changes have caused minor tweaks to the timing of some resurfaces, practices and warm-ups.

 

[Cachoo]

I’m at the Intrust Arena watching practice. The arena is just fine. Seats are comfortable. My only snark is that two different employees were impressed that I came “all that way” just to watch skating. One more comment like that and I’m going to have an epic meltdown.

Part of it could be our disbelief that you are HERE. As a lifelong Kansan (outside of KC and Lawrence) we have a bit of an inferiority complex and know that we don't offer the tourist perks you receive in other cities. Plus it is frigid out and we feel bad about that too. I think we want you to enjoy yourselves and also feel badly that you weren't placed in a nice, warm climate for the competition. But we are glad you came!

 

[jlai]

Is there gonna be a get together?

 

[peibeck]

I echo @Cachoo 's sentiments. I mean, I've often had staff at the arena/unofficial hotel I've been at for skating events shocked that people fly/drive hours to come see the sport.

When I went to the US Diving Championships last month, I was sitting next to the parents of one of the competitors and even they were shocked someone not related to a competitor was there. I told them it helped that the admission was free, unlike the crazy prices USFS charges for their big events.

 

[jkl]

So FSU friends get ready! They are moving the AmLactin bottles into the KissnCry! They are right in front of the signs for the Ohio State University Cancer Center

 

[jkl]

But now for the really good news. The arena has framed guitars that are signed by the artists that used them in performances here. Lots of really big names autographed and dated the guitars. Very impressive.

 

[Lanie]

AmLactin bottles? Yay! That means we can destroy them later, right?

... Right?

I'll be there Friday!

 

[Rukia]

AmLactin bottles my beloved i need your giant strength this week

 

[peibeck]

So FSU friends get ready! They are moving the AmLactin bottles into the KissnCry! They are right in front of the signs for the Ohio State University Cancer Center

I have signed up to volunteer for the STL Nationals next year and included in my message to them I know people who could help design an acceptable KnC!

In case my fax didn't get through I'll let @AngieNikodinovLove (ANL) be aware of my goals and keep you all appraised if the STL Sports Commission comes to their senses and lets the gays take charge! Although I'm sure the USFS made the devil in charge of their sponsorship contracts so there may only be so much which could be accomplished, but it's worth a try!!!

 

[peibeck]

AmLactin bottles? Yay! That means we can destroy them later, right?

... Right?

I'll be there Friday!

Hopefully you're good with a slingshot and sharp objects!

 

[Karen-W]

So FSU friends get ready! They are moving the AmLactin bottles into the KissnCry! They are right in front of the signs for the Ohio State University Cancer Center

AmLactin bottles? Yay! That means we can destroy them later, right?

... Right?

I'll be there Friday!

AmLactin bottles my beloved i need your giant strength this week

Never let the USFS pass up a chance to look their worst on national television.

I have signed up to volunteer for the STL Nationals next year and included in my message to them I know people who could help design an acceptable KnC!

In case my fax didn't get through I'll let @AngieNikodinovLove (ANL) be aware of my goals and keep you all appraised if the STL Sports Commission comes to their senses and lets the gays take charge! Although I'm sure the USFS made the devil in charge of their sponsorship contracts so there may only be so much which could be accomplished, but it's worth a try!!!

Can we form an FSU design committee?

 

[peibeck]

Can we form an FSU design committee?

I don't know. Not if it means design conditions can't be set until we know the colors of Spencer Howe's costumes so everything coordinates.

 

[Karen-W]

I don't know. Not if it means design conditions can't be set until we know the colors of Spencer Howe's costumes so everything coordinates.

I'm dying right now. I should be chagrined that you invited ANL without batting an eye about all the Amber Glenn photos he'll be sure to slap up in the KnC, yet are worried about me thinking the design color palette should coordinate with Spencer Howe's costumes. Truth is, I'm sort of disappointed with myself for not thinking of that first.

 

[peibeck]

I'm dying right now. I should be chagrined that you invited ANL without batting an eye about all the Amber Glenn photos he'll be sure to slap up in the KnC, yet are worried about me thinking the design color palette should coordinate with Spencer Howe's costumes. Truth is, I'm sort of disappointed with myself for not thinking of that first.

I didn't invite ANL to add any detail. I just know he's been weeping enough tears to put out the LA wildfires over the recent state of USFS's tired kiss n cry designs, and begging them to get some help.

And if he WAS consulted, we'd probably get headless Roman-style naked statues of Nagy's derriere and a coffee table with a bowl of complimentary dark chocolate peanut butter cups for the skaters to snack on while awaiting their scores in the suggestion box.

 

[Karen-W]

I didn't invite ANL to add any detail. I just know he's been weeping enough tears to put out the LA wildfires over the recent state of USFS's tired kiss n cry designs, and begging them to get some help.

And if he WAS consulted, we'd probably get headless Roman-style naked statues of Nagy's derriere and a coffee table with a bowl of complimentary dark chocolate peanut butter cups for the skaters to snack on while awaiting their scores in the suggestion box.

I'm really wondering how long before ANL discovers Anthony Ponomarenko's derriere and adds him to the ever-growing harem.

We all cry so many tears every time we see the current, atrocious USFS kiss & cry. Like, can't they even add some greenery in there instead of leaving it so stark & bare? It's just a sad little simp of a KnC.

But, hey, you should check with the Boston 2025 organizers to make sure they're committed to something high quality.

 

[peibeck]

But, hey, you should check with the Boston 2025 organizers to make sure they're committed to something high quality.

Boston is on their own. If the KnC is sad and populated with cheap looking inflatables, I'll be able to point it out to the STL Sports Commission reps who are (supposed to be) there and make sure they see it and know STL needs to do better.

 

[jlai]

Who can watch practice? If I have the ladies short ticket, can I watch the senior ladies practice?

 

[peibeck]

Who can watch practice? If I have the ladies short ticket, can I watch the senior ladies practice?

Practices are usually limited to All Event ticket holders.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

In case my fax didn't get through I'll let @AngieNikodinovLove (ANL) be aware of my goals and keep you all appraised if the STL Sports Commission comes to their senses and lets the gays take charge! Although I'm sure the USFS made the devil in charge of their sponsorship contracts so there may only be so much which could be accomplished, but it's worth a try!!!

Lolll that’s hysterical. I take it they did not retire the white sofa? Oh USFSA, even recycling the tacky Styrofoam lotion bottles.

One year they used a digital screen that had everyone’s family members using zoom, which was kind of cool until until it stopped working. Now they’ve thrown in the towel, I’m surprised they just don’t put four mismatch 1970s dining room chairs up there with their wrinkled and creased backdrop.

Thanks for the reporting.

 

[trinajpl]

[outside of skating here in Wichitia] We drove over to Hutchinson (about an hour away) to the Cosmosphere Museum (https://cosmo.org/) – the second best air and space museum we’ve ever been to (and we’re professionals in this area). Highly recommended if you have half a day and car. We spent more than the typical 4 hours there…but totally worth it!

 

[Karen-W]

[outside of skating here in Wichitia] We drove over to Hutchinson (about an hour away) to the Cosmosphere Museum (https://cosmo.org/) – the second best air and space museum we’ve ever been to (and we’re professionals in this area). Highly recommended if you have half a day and car. We spent more than the typical 4 hours there…but totally worth it!

What's the best one? My guess would be the Smithsonian, but I know there are other air & space museums around the country that attract lots of visitors.

 

[HeatherC]

We arrive on Wednesday around noon and I cannot wait to see you guys there!

BTW-Is the arena temperature similar to the level of US Nats in St. Louis 2006 or just the standard cold arena that we tend to have at US Nats?

 

[Lanie]

AmLactin bottles my beloved i need your giant strength this week

I just really wanna stomp on them backstage again #corememories

@HeatherC We need to finally meet each other!

 

[jlai]

We arrive on Wednesday around noon and I cannot wait to see you guys there!

BTW-Is the arena temperature similar to the level of US Nats in St. Louis 2006 or just the standard cold arena that we tend to have at US Nats?

Where do you sit?

 

[YukiNieve]

BTW-Is the arena temperature similar to the level of US Nats in St. Louis 2006 or just the standard cold arena that we tend to have at US Nats?

At least for me it is colder than most of the other rinks that I have been to.

 

[HeatherC]

I just really wanna stomp on them backstage again #corememories

@HeatherC We need to finally meet each other!

Oh it's happening in Wichita....we're gonna make sure of it this time!

Where do you sit?

We are in section 117, row J, so not too close to the ice but not way high either.