2017-18 State of U.S. Ladies Skating

[louisa05]

In the olden days, athletes could stay in the Olympic village,for the duration of the games. At least in the summer games, there are two phases and an athlete can only stay in the village during their phase.

Since ice skating is in the first phase, if an athlete wants to stay until the closing games, they have to funds that 2nd half themselves.

I searched all over the web and have found exactly zero references indicating that athletes cannot stay in the village the entire games. In Rio, per a New York Times article, Team USA was assigned a building that accommodated their estimated delegation of about 900 people. There were, according to Team USA's own site, 558 athletes representing the team in Rio. That would indicate that there was housing throughout for everyone, especially given that some athletes did not set foot in Olympic Village (ex: men's basketball all of whom lived on a luxury cruise liner during the games). The same New York Times article noted that many athletes typically remain in Olympic Village when their events end which can cause a bit of conflict with their neighbors who are still competing due to changes in sleep schedules and sometimes a party atmosphere.

 

[macy]

not sure if this has been touched on, but do alternates get flown over to pyeongchang? if so, do they stay in the Olympic village or outside at another hotel? does USFSA pay for the same things for them as the actual team?

 

[stella luna]

not sure if this has been touched on, but do alternates get flown over to pyeongchang? if so, do they stay in the Olympic village or outside at another hotel? does USFSA pay for the same things for them as the actual team?

I recall Michelle Kwan staying outside of the Olympic Village the year she was an alternate, and practicing in a different rink than the Olympic team. But Emily Hughes was home in New York with her family the year she was called to replace Kwan.

 

[louisa05]

I recall Michelle Kwan staying outside of the Olympic Village the year she was an alternate, and practicing in a different rink than the Olympic team. But Emily Hughes was home in New York with her family the year she was called to replace Kwan.

If I recall correctly, there was concern about Nancy's recovery and still questions about Tonya skating or not as evidence continued to emerge. The two together resulted in USFSA bringing Michelle to Lillehamer just in case. I don't think it is typical or has been done any other time.

 

[concorde]

I searched all over the web and have found exactly zero references indicating that athletes cannot stay in the village the entire games. In Rio, per a New York Times article, Team USA was assigned a building that accommodated their estimated delegation of about 900 people. There were, according to Team USA's own site, 558 athletes representing the team in Rio. That would indicate that there was housing throughout for everyone, especially given that some athletes did not set foot in Olympic Village (ex: men's basketball all of whom lived on a luxury cruise liner during the games). The same New York Times article noted that many athletes typically remain in Olympic Village when their events end which can cause a bit of conflict with their neighbors who are still competing due to changes in sleep schedules and sometimes a party atmosphere.

I heard about the housing issue during some Olympics awhile back. I assumed it was the new norm.

"Phases" was my word, not the official term.

 

[concorde]

Just found an article that discusses housing at Rio.

Each country is given an allotment of rooms in the Olympic village. Each country then chooses how to allocate the rooms.

So if a country has a lot of athletes wanting to stay off site, then those wishing to stay on site can stay longer. But if everyone wants to stay in the Olympics Village, then there will probably be an issue. Hence what I remember hearing about.

 

[Sasha'sSpins]

Mirai has said nothing about stopping after the olympics not sure why you’re speculating she will WD lol

Indeed. Especially as Mirai has worked so hard to get back to the top of U.S. skating. Why anyone would even speculate that she would consider withdrawing from Worlds after the Olympics is beyond me. Unless it is wishful thinking on their part. Smh. Mirai EARNED her way back on to the Worlds team, just as she did in 2010. Not as an alternate who made the Worlds team once due to another skater's injury or illness. She EARNED it and she'll be there barring injury or illness. I'd bet on it.

 

[brightphoton]

Indeed. Especially as Mirai has worked so hard to get back to the top of U.S. skating. Why anyone would even speculate that she would consider withdrawing from Worlds after the Olympics is beyond me. Unless it is wishful thinking on their part. Smh. Mirai EARNED her way back on to Worlds team, just as she did in 2010. Not as an alternate who made the Worlds team once due to another skater's injury or illness. She EARNED it and she'll be there barring injury or illness. I'd bet on it.

It's common for Olympians to skip the World's after the Olympics, especially if they won a medal, are mentally exhausted, and want to pursue post-Olympics sponsorship deals.

But to be fair, Mirai is not an Olympic medal contender. The large possibility of a deleted field at Worlds might cause her to train for post-Olympics competitions, and not race off to Dancing with the Stars.

 

[Anni234]

I would expect withdrawal from worlds from skaters, who have been to worlds for years in a row. Like if Ashley had made the team, I could see her WD. Bradie has never been to worlds, Karen has been once and Mirai has only been twice (of which 1 time was 8 years ago and with the worlds 2016 she had a bit of help from Polina). Unless one of them pulls a Sotnikova, who won gold and then WD from worlds despite only having been there once before, I think the same team will go if everyone is healthy.

 

[noidont]

If USFSA can't find a few Olympic tickets for "family and friends" I don't know why they even exist. Sponsors also get free tickets. And to this day you can still buy OG tickets for a couple hundred bucks per event. No matter how you do the math 11000 dollars is too much. Truth is the amount is set intentionally high for fundraising purpose I think. American style socialism that always involves begging. I think it's demoralizing for an athlete who has made the OG team to have to beg for pocket dollars. USFSA should do a better job getting the skaters and themselves sponsored.

 

[jf12]

If USFSA can't find a few Olympic tickets for "family and friends" I don't know why they even exist. Sponsors also get free tickets. And to this day you can still buy OG tickets for a couple hundred bucks per event. No matter how you do the math 11000 dollars is too much. Truth is the amount is set intentionally high for fundraising purpose I think. American style socialism that always involves begging. I think it's demoralizing for an athlete who has made the OG team to have to beg for pocket dollars. USFSA should do a better job getting the skaters and themselves sponsored.

I have friends going to the games as tourists, and 11k doesn’t seem high to me. Hotels at the event site are charging 800-1000 a night for rooms that are normally 150-200. Most people are planning to stay in Peongchang only for a few nights of some of the key events for them, and spending the rest of the time staying in Seoul and taking the train. If you didn’t do this, you would easily spend more than 11k just on hotels for 2 weeks.

 

[pearly]

If you stay for the entire event, sure... but for figure skating it's pretty much two events over 3-4 days (not counting team). I would also think the federation had to get a certain number of tickets to distribute as they found fit and two tickets per competitor seem like not much to ask.

Either way, people are free to choose to donate if they wish.

 

[Icey]

According to "Money" magazine, the entire cost for a week would be around $5,000. So how the people asking for money feel justified in asking for $!!,000 is puzzling, unless they think "first class" everything is warranted.

http://time.com/money/5013664/winter-olympics-2018-ticket-prices-costs/

 

[Eclair]

According to "Money" magazine, the entire cost for a week would be around $5,000. So how the people asking for money feel justified in asking for $!!,000 is puzzling, unless they think "first class" everything is warranted.

http://time.com/money/5013664/winter-olympics-2018-ticket-prices-costs/

as far as I see, the flight ticket cost is only for a one-way flight. But you have to get back somehow too, so that's another 900.

then the magazine only calculates the cost of 1 person, but if you want to have both your parents and your boyfriend, maybe your sister or brother to attend, then flight ticket, hotel, etc are going to cost more, even if they all share one hotel room....

so asking for 11 000 for 3 -5 people attending the Olympics is not that far fetched ...

 

[Icey]

Yes, you are right. For some reason, I was thinking they were asking for 11,000 for each person

 

[brightphoton]

Yes, you are right. For some reason, I was thinking they were asking for 11,000 for each person

They are ...

The venue for the Winter Olympics is an expensive place to travel to, and lodging will be costly as well. (U.S. Figure Skating estimates that it will cost about $11,000 for one attendee.)

^ I copy pasted this, it's why Karen, Mirai, and Bradie are asking for $10,000 per brother/boyfriend


I wonder why they can't find sponsors. I remember seeing Gracie all over the pre-Olympic commercials, like on that United commerical. I admire Ashley more for somehow getting Bridgestone tires

 

[klutzy]

Figure skating's not as high profile as it was and none of the ladies are real medal hopes. Ashley seems to be the only one with a high enough profile for sponsorships. Both Bradie and Karen's gofundmes seem to be about raising money for brothers--though Karen's also seems to include a grandmother. As of today, Bradie (or rather a family friend) seems to have raised a bit over $5,000 and Karen's is a bit over $4,000.

 

[IndependentObserver]

This was posted on a different website regarding Mirai's family and BF (congrats for exceeding the goal!), but the numbers to get to 11k/a person seem on the high side. Although I guess the athlete's friends/family would try to stay near the venues instead of in Seoul (although it's a doable and cost effective option!)

Do we know if the skaters get tickets for their family members to attend? If they do get free tix, then travel costs for the parents/BF should be under $11K for all three. For her parents - from LAX to ICN nonstop is under $1000 during the week of the ladies event. Due to the restaurant business, I doubt they'd fly in for the team event (if she is selected), and stay over two weeks. Airfare = $3000. Depending on where they stay, you can find inexpensive and nice accommodations in Seoul. Even if it's a $200/night hotel, that would be $1400 for a week/one room. Double it for two rooms = $2800. Transport on the high speed rail to the games could be a couple hundred dollars each person (depending on the pass) = $600. If the 11K/per person suggestion includes food, $100 day/for seven days is $700 = $2100.

Airfare - 3000, Hotels = 2800, Transport = 600, Food = 2100 for a total of $8500 for all three. Tickets are $820 for the B section for ladies short. Free Skate tickets aren't available, so I couldn't check, but I think it's the same price. If you add in three sets of tickets for both, that brings the total to $13,420. I know there's incidentals and what not, but even if you round up to $15,000 for all three - that's way different than the USFS recommendation of 11,000 each. Maybe they have reserved lodging in Pyeongchang and it's more expensive? Maybe they are flying business class?

 

[sheetz]

Ashley has by far the most sponsorships of any US woman, although you wonder if those sponsorship commitments may have contributed to her drop in form. From one of Mirai's recent Instagram stories I got the impression she's been picked up by P&G.

 

[ice coverage]

... Although I guess the athlete's friends/family would try to stay near the venues instead of in Seoul (although it's a doable and cost effective option!)

... Maybe they have reserved lodging in Pyeongchang and it's more expensive? ...

Per Vincent's comment on Karen's Instagram:

... a night's stay at the Olympics for a family member is close to $1,000 ...

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bd3srMWnany/?taken-by=karebearsk8​

I imagine that USFS quoted the same number to all of its Olympians?

... Do we know if the skaters get tickets for their family members to attend?

... Tickets are $820 for the B section for ladies short. Free Skate tickets aren't available, so I couldn't check, but I think it's the same price. ...

Family members do not get free tickets to attend OWG competitions, AFAIK.

www.tpenoc.net/wp-content/uploads/2...Accreditation-and-Sport-Entries-Manual-V2.pdf (2018 OWG accreditation manual for all countries)​

---

... I wonder why they can't find sponsors. I remember seeing Gracie all over the pre-Olympic commercials, like on that United commerical. I admire Ashley more for somehow getting Bridgestone tires

Ashley has by far the most sponsorships of any US woman ... From one of Mirai's recent Instagram stories I got the impression she's been picked up by P&G.

Leading up to 2018 OWG, Ashley, Nathan (especially Nathan), and the Shibs have received multiple major sponsorships.
(Similarly: Leading up to Sochi, D/W, Ashley, and Gracie were the heavy-hitters in receiving multiple major sponsorships.)

IMO, the many sponsorships of those few skaters resulted in fewer opportunities for other skaters. (True also in the Sochi cycle, IMO.)
For 2018 OWG, Chock/Bates have Old Navy.
FWIW, the Knierims have Wintrust. (Jason too. He also has Deloitte. But turned out that he is not on the 2018 team.)

Plus the sponsorship "game" is not all about figure skating.
Companies have been and are using their finite number of sponsorship dollars to support Olympians (and hopefuls) from other sports as well.

Glad that Mirai now has Procter & Gamble.