figure skating Tag

The 2009 World Figure Skating Championships in Los Angeles was a thrilling experience for me last week. It was my first trip to see this championship and it did not disappoint. This competition was the qualifying round for various athletes and countries looking to compete at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games.

The United States had a team of 15 skaters lead by Chicago native Evan Lysacek - who went on to win the Men's Event with one of the most extraordinary long programs I have ever seen him skate. Featuring two solid triple axels (one in combination), Evan didn't need a quad to pull off his first World Title against the best male skaters in the world. Other highlights for the US team were the silver medal rebound of ice dancing team Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto and the fantastic 9th place performance of Caydee Denney and Jeremy Barrett that brought the crowd to their feet. The final night was headlined by the ladies battle of the Asia with Yu-Na Kim of Korea and last years champion Mao

We have our 2010 Winter Games Travel Programs ready to book and online! Check it all out on our 2010 Winter Games Planning Page. This is by far the largest tour program we have ever put together and after our Beijing 2008 Olympics program, I didn't think it was possible to do something bigger... But we have!

There are so many different travel ideas when planning your trip to see the Vancouver Games in 2010. Many that I didn't even consider until now. How about taking a "Snow Train" across Canada into Vancouver, stopping along the way in Jasper for some skiing and maybe a spa day? Or maybe fly to Vancouver with one of our Air Inclusive Winter Games Packages and side trip to Lake Louise for some post Olympic R&R? Our Vancouver Winter Games Side Trips can be custom designed to fit your adventure level. Whether you are ready to go hurling down a Canadian mountain on ski's and a snowboard or if you are just up for a horse drawn sleigh ride, we can set it up for you.

While in Vancouver,

The 2010 Vancouver Winter Games are now just 15 months away. Can you believe it? Sports Traveler is gearing up for this great event by offering you three Vancouver hotel options that are available for purchase now.

Check out our new property The Plaza 500 - located in Vancouver's popular West End district.

All reservations include airport shuttle transfers, breakfast daily plus a welcome dinner and access to hospitality area with snacks/drinks/maps, TVs, etc.

The Plaza 500 is an upscale hotel located in Vancouver's posh West End. It is situated across the street from Vancouver City Hall and the City Square shopping Square. At a height of 17 stories this property gives travelers the chance to gaze down upon the city below them, the mountains to the north and east and the ocean to the west. A great central location to stay during the Vancouver Games!

Additional lodging is also available at the Ramada Suites and Blue Horizon. View all of the Sports Traveler Winter Games Hotel Rooms in Vancouver.

Sports Traveler is now offering our clients travel package tours and event tickets to the most exciting Figure Skating Events on the planet including the US Nationals and World Championships. I'm so happy to finally be able to bring these travel options to our clients.

I am a former competitive figure skater and coach and still am an avid fan. I skated for nearly 25 years training all over the USA first as a singles skater in figures (back in the day) and freestyle and later in ice dancing. I can tell you that watching ice skating on TV is fun, but nothing compares to being at the event and taking in the practice sessions leading up to the competitions.

When I was at the US Nationals in 2006, in St. Louis, it was also the competition that determined the US Olympic Team. Watching the Mens and Ladies Final Free Programs was some of the best skating I've ever seen of our US skaters. Sasha Cohen hung in through a dramatic free skate with Kimmie Meissner getting to the last double axel and