US Nationals--bought my first tickets!

[Darrell H]

I've never gone to an actual competition before so I'm totally pumped. I'm only going to the Short Programs on Thursday, because I work for a living, but that way I can see the men and women in one night.

It starts at 4:50 pm. About what time should it end? I am going with a couple of friends and we are trying to decide whether or not to stay overnight. I live 3.5-4 hours away.:D :D

[jp1andOnly]

i know in canada they usually end after 10pm..at least thats what my foggy first thing in the morning brain tells me. I would stay overnight.

[blades]

8-)

tickets for u.s. nationals???...8O wow!...you must have found a great rate for your second mortgage!!!

yup!...plan on staying the night...you might get out early, but often those events can run late...besides...there might be a practice session afterwards that you might want to watch...

[Darrell H]

thanks, blades. can we bring signs, cameras, that sort of thing? or do you have to buy everything there?

[Debbie S]

U.S Nats is weird about signs. In L.A 2 yrs ago, they had a rule that signs had to be within a certain size - for fear they would impede evacuations in case of a fire. At Worlds last year, any size sign seemed to be allowed, but that was an ISU event. If I were you, I would make a sign on a sheet that you can fold up and carry in a bag, so you won't look obvious to security people at the door.

As for cameras, I think the general USFSA rule is somewhere on their website (usfsa.org), but IIRC, you are allowed point-and-shoots and small digital cameras. Larger cameras are OK, but I think there are restrictions to lens size (I believe the limit is 3 1/2 inches). You can't use a digital camera that has video-recording capabilities. And definitely no flash. I've used 800-speed film in a point-and-shoot and my pics turned out fine, at least the ones where I didn't move my hand while I was taking the pics.

Have a great time at Nats!