I think what really annoyed me is that they would get up at oh-so-early, "reserve" a seat, and then leave again... only to return during the practice with the Japanese skaters, while the rest of the time the seats were just empty.
I have no real experience with other skating events to compare. The only other one I ever visited was a Challenge Cup event in The Hague, and while it had a few good skaters, it was just a very small event, with an even smaller audience, and the most I remember about it was how utterly COLD it was.
The Barcelona GPFs were brilliant, though. Loads of fun, well organized, and, well, I love Barcelona. If Marseille and Helsinki are half as good as Barcelona, it should be great!
I did ask some of them if I could take the seat and they meekly said yes. I hope it's not going to happen in Boston again.
Most of the rinks are deadly freezing. Hague's shouldn't be out of them. TBH I have higher expectation to Helsinki rather than Marseille, for God's sake the spots for Olympics! I will certainly go to Marseille for their food though...
By the way, has anyone booked their hotels yet?
I book one near the central market.