World Team Skating Challenge

[SkaterBrett]

Just saw in the paper today that tickets for the World Team Figure Skating Challenge are going on sale TODAY!!!

This is for Vancouver, BC!!!!! Wed Dec 3 @ 7pm @ GM Place!!

Tickets at ticketmaster 10am today!

Brett

[jcspkbfan]

Wow! What kind of competition is this going to be? I'm crossing my fingers this is a resurrected version of the old World Team Championships event from 1994-98. Out of all the no-longer-existing pro competitions from that event, this is the one I probably miss the most--great skaters (a good mix of lesser-known pros and more familiar faces on each team), evenly-balanced teams and overall, just an exciting event. Even more exciting than Ice Wars, IMO!

Thanks in advance to anyone who has more information about this. :)

[SkaterBrett]

here is the cast list:

Canada
Kurt, Jose, Jamie & David

USA
Todd
Nicole Bobek
Ina/Zimmerman

Russia
Yags
Butyrskaya
Berezhmaya & Sikharulidze

Europe
Steven Cousins
Baiul
Kovarikova/Novotny

Sounds like a good competition!!! I'm going to try to get tickets!

[SkaterBrett]

Here is the ad from the paper...
http://www.bardendesigns.com/WTFSC.jpg

[Emanfan]

According to Ticketmaster, tickets run $35 to $75.

[jcspkbfan]

Woo-hoo! That's exactly the news I wanted to hear--thanks, everybody! Yup, it definitely looks like the World Team Championships is making a comeback...sounds like a great lineup of skaters, too! :D

It's funny CTV is broadcasting this event (which I'm assuming is the case since they're one of the sponsors), but not 4CCs or Worlds, but right now, I'm certainly not complaining about that! :lol:

Thanks again! I'm definitely looking forward to watching this one--and reading the reports from everyone lucky enough to see it live!

[SkaterBrett]

Just got my tickets!!! Row 1!! Can't wait until Dec now!!

[Emanfan]

SkaterBrett: What section? I am Section 118, Row 1, Seat 2 - might you be Seat 1 by any chance?

[SkaterBrett]

No.. I'm sec 115... they said they didn't have sec 118 when I asked! I was through right at 10am too! I asked about the other sections and they said all row one sold out already but a few singles... I needed a few seats for friends...

Brett

[Emanfan]

Maybe I lucked out a bit because for the first time, I'm actually going to one of these events on my own and so only needed a single ticket. It is my Xmas present to myself.

This should be a lot of fun - I'm really looking forward to it. To see S/P and B/S again - wow!

[expo86]

I just got a ticket in Row 1, Sec. 115, too!!! Wow, this event really came out of nowhere. I saw a post on Laurie's board with a link to this thread. Can't wait!!!

[Gail]

I am really excited about this event. Sounds like the good old days of pro skating. Lucky people who are going to see it live.

[Bailey]

That's my 'dream team' for Team Canada!! I'm so excited and so wishing that I lived in Vancouver!!

[jcspkbfan]

Originally posted by Bailey
That's my 'dream team' for Team Canada!!

Mine, too, Bailey. :)

After looking at the ad a little closer, I noticed a couple of things:

1. This competition is scheduled to take place around the same time as Canadian Pros/Open traditionally happens (beginning of December). I wonder if this is going to be a "replacement event" for Canadian Pros/Open and if CTV is going to broadcast it live (or at least same day coverage) like they always have for Canadian Pros/Open?

2. Alexei Yagudin is the only skater scheduled to compete who hasn't lost his eligibility--or announced plans to lose his eligibility this season. Does this mean Alexei is turning pro? Somehow I don't think this competition is an ISU-sanctioned event (not if CTV can broadcast this event and not Four Continents or Worlds).

I guess we'll just have to wait and see...

[sillyskates]

Wouldn't it be fabulous if CTV airs this live !!! If the ratings are high enough, maybe this will only be the beginning for the return of pro events!! .... I guess I'm just the eternal optimist!!

[Orable]

sounds great! ....but, no dance :(

[memememe76]

1. This competition is scheduled to take place around the same time as Canadian Pros/Open traditionally happens (beginning of December). I wonder if this is going to be a "replacement event" for Canadian Pros/Open and if CTV is going to broadcast it live (or at least same day coverage) like they always have for Canadian Pros/Open?

I doubt it, unfortunately. Usually, the Canadian Open takes place on the weekend, allowing CTV to air it live. Live skating on a Wednesday night? Not gonna happen.

But they will air it eventually, so can't wait! I will buy my ticket tomorrow.

[Blade1]

I am really happy for everyone in the BC area to see that FINALLY another skating event is happening in Vancouver, BC (aside from the annual SOI show that rolls into town each year) Sounds like its going to be a FANTASTIC event !!

[Teenes]

Some rather disappointing TV info (or at least disappointing after reading all of your high hopes for a live broadcast on CTV, etc).

In the US, World Team Challenge will be airing on the Oxygen Network Dec. 13-14 in primetime. Don't have a specific time yet. Kind of unfortunate, since Oxygen is a cable channel and I'm not sure everyone gets it even if they have cable.

In Canada, the World Team Challenge has not been picked up by a national network, and will be airing at different times in different regional markets. Times, channels, schedules are still unconfirmed. There *are* plans to get it broadcast, don't get me wrong. But it won't be carried nationally by CTV or CBC or any of the major networks.

[sillyskates]

WAH!! (Sniff) :cry:

[Gail]

Well that's a real bummer. I'm sure somebody will pick it up, and we'll all get to see it.

[jcspkbfan]

Originally posted by Gail
Well that's a real bummer. I'm sure somebody will pick it up, and we'll all get to see it.

If CBC or CTV don't broadcast this event (BTW, I'd love to know how whoever printed up that Vancouver ad was able to use CTV's logo without their permission), the best bet for everyone in Canada to get to see it would be Global. They don't broadcast skating very often (and never a competition like this, IIRC), but they usually do a good job with the skating they do show (rebroadcasting the Disson specials several times last year, Holiday Festival On Ice back when it was a two-hour broadcast).

I'm also disappointed none of the major U.S. networks have picked this one up since I know not everyone south of the border gets the Oxygen Network...and at least if a major U.S. network picked it up, most Canadians could watch it there if none of our own major channels pick it up.

I only hope the ISU isn't the reason why CTV and CBC aren't broadcasting this event...and that it won't be stuck on one of those obscure digital channels I (and a lot of other Canadian skating fans) won't be able to get. :(

[Teenes]

Fairly certain s'not Global, and fairly certain that arrangements are already being made for some networks to carry it in Canada, so I'm pretty sure you Canadians will get to see it. You just might need to look a little harder to find the date/time/channel for your area.

I thought about the CTV logo and wondered if it was the local Vancouver affiliate that was a sponsor. After all, the newspaper ad wasn't a nationwide one.

I was going to check the Oxygen network's website to see if they had any info on how widely they were carried by cable providers, but their site seems to be having technical problems. I'm curious if Oxygen is any less widespread than TNT, which carried the Canadian Open the last few years. I have a feeling it is, since it's a fairly new network. However, competitions not being carried on major network TV in the US isn't a new thing - see aforementioned example of Canadian Open on TNT.

My personal guess is that the Oxygen network, being a new cable network trying to establish itself, was a cheaper option, and that the advertisers that target that network (since it's a women's interest channel) were the same ones that were more likely to want to invest in skating.

[Nicki]

I live in the Tacoma, Washington area, and only have basic cable. We do not get the Oxygen Network, but we do get TNT. I'm disappointed that I won't be able to see this compettition. It looks like a great group of skaters.

[jp1andOnly]

Hey, I live in Vancouver and didn't even clue in. I might treat myselkf to an early Christmas present ;)

[dmr65]

Ok, great.. I get the Oxygen channel in my State here in the USA....



Denise..

[SkateSand]

I had never even heard of the Oxygen channel. But I have a satellite dish so I wondered if it was one of the hundreds of channels available that I had just not noticed. Amazingly enough, it was. Whew!

Laurie

[ceceB]

LOL Laurie! I'm glad you found it.:D

[expo86]

There was a commercial on TV tonight for The World Team Challenge and they're having a contest to win tickets. First prize is a suite for you and 9 friends :D:D at GM Place to see the show and there are 3 secondary prizes of a pair of tickets to the show.

The contest deadline is Nov.6 and is open to BC residents only. Here's the link:

http://www.ctv9.ca/getcontest.jsp?id=/promotions/contest/world_team_challenge.htm

Good luck! It's going to be a great show.:lol:

[mission99]

When will this be televised in the US