Skate America in Everett: everything fans hoped
Published 11:24 pm Sunday, October 26, 2008
EVERETT — Skate America’s stay at Comcast Arena drew record-breaking sales for the annual event, as 29,477 tickets were sold for three days of competition, according to U.S. Figure Skating.
The previous record was set in 2002 in Spokane, when 28,664 tickets were sold.
While thousands came for the sport’s smooth elegance, the event wasn’t only about quadruple axels and double lutzes.
It was also about the kiss-and-cry area, and plush toys spiraling through the air. It was about seeing an NBC camera pan across the ice, and noticing figure skating icon Scott Hamilton broadcasting for the network. It was about more than 50 women standing in line for the restroom during an intermission.
In short, it was a spectacle. The first of six annual Grand Prix competitions hosted by the International Skating Union, Skate America concluded its stay in Everett on Sunday night. It attracted thousands of fans, who watched the sport’s biggest names while taking part in the activities that give color to the sport.
Take those stuffed animals, for example. Years ago, they became popular after a ban was placed on throwing flowers to the ice, according to U.S. Figure Skating spokeswoman Scottie Bibb. Apparently, something as small as a stray petal can cause a fall.
Plush toys don’t leave debris, however, and are thrown en masse. On Sunday alone, the Haggen Food and Pharmacy booth in Comcast Arena sold more than 200 toys, ranging in price from $5 to $20.
“The penguins have been real popular,” said Joe Franklin, manning the booth.
Cathie Crowninshield purchased three of the $5 toys.
“We’re going to throw them to each American girl,” the 61-year-old Mill Creek resident said. “Show support and everything.”
Of course, tossing stuffed penguins was just a bonus. The crowd was there to see premier skating, and they were not disappointed. Genevieve Malone, 26, of Everett said she has loved the sport since grade school.
“But I’ve never seen it live,” she said during a Sunday intermission. “They’re graceful. They’re just beautiful.”
Grace and beauty were common, but like at Nascar, true drama was triggered by the wipeouts.
For instance, U.S. skater Kimmie Meissner fell after leaping early in her Sunday routine. There was a collective gasp, a brief pause, and then a bright burst of applause as she continued.
Failure seemed to further endear the popular skater to the crowd. After her performance, at least 16 stuffed animals were lobbed onto the ice. Fellow U.S. skaters Rachael Flatt and Mirai Nagasu each earned about half that many, despite the fact they won better scores from the judges.
After performances, skaters would coast immediately over to the kiss-and-cry booth, another unique aspect of the sport. With a camera trained on them, they would sit and chat with coaches, awaiting their scores.
Most smiled brightly during the suspenseful minutes. After a poor outing, however, some would flash between a grin and a grimace. Each expression was blown to gigantic proportions, courtesy of the arena’s big screens.
“That camera right in their face, that’s got to be tough,” said Karen Pollock of Alberta, Canada.
It’s not only tough for the skaters; it’s also tough for the crowd. Pollock came with her daughter, Maria. The 10-year-old loves the sport, but she knows it’s not for the faint of heart.
“I didn’t cry this time,” she said.
No, she was among the thousands who left smiling.
Reporter Andy Rathbun: 425-339-3455 or arathbun@heraldnet.com.
