Saratoga Springs

[sallearmourer]

I don't know at this time if I am going to go.

I hear there is going to be over 400 fencers there.

TIm Loomis

[Pommel]

I've spent a lot of time in Saratoga, it's defenitely a nice place to have a tournament. Plenty to do. I recommend it highly.

[edew]

It's definitely a nice place to have a tournament....in JULY! But in bleepin' January? When all the interesting resorts are closed? When there's nothing to do other than slip-sliding down the street in the snow? Fer gawdssakes, what do you have in your hot chocolate, man!?

I was in SS for the inaugural PFL tournament. In January, 1998. It certainly has potential. The convention center was large and spacious and well lit. But man, it's onerous to get there from Albany, and the sidewalks all coated in snow and ice. And nothing's open (and really, who'd want to walk to any of those places in the first place?).

We need to get a better tournament director who can wrangle a niftier place than Saratoga Springs in January and Greenville SC in July. Reno in March is cool. Columbus OH in February is cruel (as is South Bend IN in January).

[Crash55]

So far there is nosnow up here so you might luck out and it not be freezing and snowy. The airport has been renovated so that is much nicer.

Problem with teh sumemr would be teh race track. Hard to get a rental car never mind a venue while they are racing

[Pommel]

I think we need to all accept that the USFA can't afford a convention center anywhere during that area's on season. Summer Nationals in Austin? A jan NAC in Southbend? Saratoga is still plenty active in the winter, plenty of resteraunts/bars/clubs/etc. True, The Great Escape and Water Slide World aren't going to be options, but it sure as hell beats a lot of places. Sacremento didn't have ANY place to eat within the venue for a 10 block radius open past 2. Ridiculous...
As for the snow, I think that's more or less of an issue depending on where you're from. And the drive isn't bad from Albany, that's where I'm from and I've made it both ways at all hours of the night. The drive is only about 40 minutes, depending on traffic / how fast you drive.
All in all I think it's a great venue. I'm looking forward to the North Atlantic Senior Sectionals beind held there as well.

[edew]

Considering that it's a kids event, what fun things can kids do in regards to bars and restaurants? I actually enjoyed the several restaurants I went to when I was there several years back. I just don't think Y10/Y12 kids will get the same sort of enjoyment.

I wouldn't suggest USFA hold a youth event in Reno either, as Reno isn't really kids-friendly (at least not as friendly as to adults).

I agree that USFA won't be able to pick the choice locations, but there's got to be some places that's not as bad and still be within budget. Note also that if it's in a nice place, more people would likely go, thereby boosting the number of entrants, which is good for USFA.

Saratoga Springs for Sectionals would be good because sectionals are usually held in May. That's a great time to be there.

[three_hundred_fifty_five]

edew,
There is always Off-Track Betting. What would a visit to Saratoga Springs be without wagering on a horse race?

[sallearmourer]

There is going to be 575 fencers there all under the age of 14. What are they going to do ? The way things stand now it going to be along weekend for everybody.

Tim

[edew]

There are going to be 575 fencers, all under the age of 15. I doubt there's going to be too much off-track betting done by them. And where are the tracks for them to off-track bet? Couldn't people do that OTB closer to home?

[Mergs]

575 15 year olds, and younger?!?!?!?!? In one place?!?!?!? Cooped up inside?!?!?!? I think I'd rather watch all 13 Halloween movies in one sitting.

My suggestion would be two seeding pools with a MINIMUM of 9 fencers per pool and a loosers bracket for the DE's. At least that way you have a modicum of a chance that they'll all be too tired to wreak havoc on the local community (not to mention parents and coaches!)

Eric, you're right, Saratoga? in winter? What WERE they thinking? Yes, I know, they have to go with the best deal they can get. But I would much rather go to Austin for Summer Nationals (it's a nice break from Houston weather!) than Saratoga in winter.

Thank God I'm not going!

[Crash55]

Pommel, your profile says you are from Albany. Which club do you fence at? I can only think of one epeeist from Albany and I don't think you are him.


Yeah, I can't think of much for a bunch of youngsters to do right nearby. should be soemplace to ice skate and skiing isn't too far away. Should be soemplae to go sledding.

Sectionals in May will be fun there. For once I won't have to drive a long ways for them. Would be nice if the division made some money on them but somehow I don't think that will happen.

[three_hundred_fifty_five]

This thread has turned into a "Saratoga Springs" Bash-a-thon. How many of you are actually competing there or attending?
I'm not so I could care less about the snow and what the kiddies are going to do for fun.

Be gone! <img src="graemlins/jawa.gif" border="0" alt="[Jawa]" />

[Pommel]

Crash 55, I actually probably am the epeeist you're thinking of. Build any good guns lately, doctor? Anonymity on message boards is a great thing, isn't it?

I agree 355, everybody is bashing Saratoga. It's a great place even in the winter. It's regrettable that the NAC has to be there in winter, but anybody that expects any different is crazy. The USFA couldn't afford to rent an alley in Saratoga during the season, much less the convention center.