2022 Toyota U.S. Figure Skating Championships Coverage Information
This page will help both in-person and remote credential holders with coverage of 2022 Toyota U.S. Figure Skating Championships. This page is intended for official media use only. The sharing of this link is strictly prohibited.
If you're credentialed for this competition and haven't been receiving our emails, please let us know.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Michael Terry
Director, Communications and Media Strategy
mterry@usfigureskating.org
C: 404-790-6453
Marissa Pederson
Manager, Communications
mpederson@usfigureskating.org
C: 651-274-9602
Taylor Dean
Manager, Communications
tdean@usfigureskating.org
IMPORTANT LINKS
Media Book (updated 1/1/22)
Results/Starting Orders/Timing Sheet
Colored Schedule (updated 1/7/22)
Practice Groups
Music Rotation
One-on-one Interview Request Form
Tabled Media Seating Assignments
Photo Positions and Work Room Assignments
Peacock Premium (USA)
Media Photo Bank (skating15)
On-Demand Teleconferences, Mixed Zone and Press Conferences (YouTube)
Official event website
Media Guide
Event Program
SKATING Magazine Archives
Virtual Fan Experience
Television Schedule
Welcome to the 2022 Toyota U.S. Figure Skating Championships
COVID-19 Protocol
Subject to change
COVID Protocol for Accredited Persons
- PCR molecular test (preferred) or Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) (only approved alternative to a PCR molecular) taken within three days (negative result) prior to receiving accreditation for all persons seeking to be accredited, regardless of vaccination status.
- Vaccinated participants will be required to provide proof of vaccination at check-in (hard or digital copies will be accepted).
- Unvaccinated participants will be required to take an additional antigen test on-site upon arrival.
- All accredited individuals participating in the event for more than four days will be required to take a second, on-site test (U.S. Figure Skating will cover the cost). More information and logistics available on-site.
- Per CDC recommendations, if you have tested positive for COVID-19 (and completed isolation for 10 days post symptoms) within 90-days of accreditation, you are exempt from the required PCR test. Proof is required via health app or doctors note. Verbal confirmation will not be accepted.
- Masks are required to be worn indoors at all times with the following exceptions:
- Athletes while on ice
- Persons actively eating or drinking
Secondary Testing Chart
If you are accredited for more than four days, you are required to take an onsite test provided by U.S. Figure Skating or credentials will be revoked. U.S. Figure Skating will not accept third-party tests.
Please review the schedule below for testing timeline and windows.
All tests will be conducted at the Rehearsal Hall (accreditation room).
Please plan for testing to take up to 45 minutes.
We need all individuals to test prior to their first schedule item of the day (i.e. if practicing at 10:30 a.m., test at 8:00 a.m.).
If you have conflicts with the schedule below, email events@usfigureskating.org.
| Arrival Dates | PCR/NAAT Arrival Test | Onsite Testing Windows (for 2nd test, if applicable*) | |
| No Earlier Than (three days prior) | Provided by U.S. Figure Skating | ||
| Sunday, Jan. 2 | Thursday, Dec. 30 | Thursday, Jan. 6 | 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. |
| Monday, Jan. 3 | Friday, Dec. 31 | Friday, Jan. 7 | 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday, Jan. 4 | Saturday, Jan. 1 | Saturday, Jan. 8 | 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday, Jan. 5 | Sunday, Jan. 2 | Sunday, Jan. 9 | 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. |
| Thursday, Jan. 6 | Monday, Jan. 3 | ||
| Friday, Jan. 7 | Tuesday, Jan. 4 | ||
| Saturday, Jan. 8 | Wednesday, Jan. 5 | ||
| Sunday, Jan. 9 | Thursday, Jan. 6 | ||
Accreditation Pick-Up and Hours
Accreditation will take place at Bridgestone Arena. The accreditation entrance will be through the Rehearsal Hall at Demonbreun Street and Rep. John Lewis Way.
Local Time (CT)
Sunday, Jan. 2 | 5 – 9 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 3 | 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 4 | 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 5 | 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 6 | 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 7 | 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 8 | 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 9 | 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Venue Information
Competition will take place at Bridgestone Arena. Media may enter the building from the entrance at Demonbreun Street and Rep. John Lewis Way.
The Official Practice Venue will be in Bellevue at 7638 B Hwy 70 S, Nashville, TN 37221. Media are welcome to watch practices at the practice venue, but there will be no media availability in Bellevue outside of special requests.
Parking/Transportation Information
There is no media parking at Bridgestone Arena. Media members will be able to park in Lots M & G at Nissan Stadium (map in media book) and take a shuttle operated by the Nashville Sports Council. There is no media shuttle to the practice facility in Bellevue.
Shuttle Times (local, CT):
Monday, Jan. 3 | 6 a.m. - 12 a.m. (+1)
Tuesday, Jan. 4 | 6 a.m. -12 a.m. (+1)
Wednesday, Jan. 5 | 5 a.m. - 12 a.m. (+1)
Thursday, Jan. 6 | 6 a.m. - 12 a.m. (+1)
Friday, Jan. 7 | 6 a.m. - 1 a.m. (+1)
Saturday, Jan. 8 | 6 a.m. - 1 a.m. (+1)
Sunday, Jan. 9 | 6 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Media Building Hours
Please review the operating hours for Bridgestone Arena.
Monday, Jan. 3 | 11:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 4 | 6:30 a.m. – 11:15 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 5 | 5:30 a.m. – 12:30 a.m. (+1)
Thursday, Jan. 6 | 6 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 7 | 6:30 a.m. – 12:30 a.m. (+1)
Saturday, Jan. 8 | 10 a.m. – 12 a.m. (+1)
*Sunday, Jan. 9 | 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.
*Rink area will be closed from 4:45-6 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 9.
Media Hospitality
The hospitality area is located in the back corner of the mixed zone. Water, coffee, tea and sodas will be available to media each day of competition. Light snacks will be provided on Friday and Saturday during select hours:
Friday, Jan. 7 - 5 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 8 - 5 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 9 - 3 p.m.
Media Work Area
Media will be able to work in the media work room (adjacent to the press conference area), as well as at the rinkside media seating area. Some rinkside media seats, which can be accessed from the event level at Section 111, will be assigned. (Tabled Media Seating Assignments)
To access the media work room, stay to the far right at the check-in area and walk down the curtain hallway against the wall until you reach the press conference room.
To access the rinkside media seats, head towards the check-in area through the curtain hallway against the wall and follow signs on the floor for the media work area and photo positions. You will pass behind the check in area to get to the furthest curtain hallway (to the left when you enter the arena). Continue to follow this hallway following the floor signs.
Photo Work Area
Photographers will have a dedicated work area under the spectator seating. Power and hard line connections will be available at each work area. This area can be found by following signage.
- Work areas will be assigned for championship-level competition only. (Photo Positions and Work Room Assignments)
To access from the media work area, head towards the check-in area through the curtain hallway against the wall and follow signs on the floor for the media work area and photo positions. You will pass behind the check in area to get to the furthest curtain hallway (to the left when you enter the arena). Continue to follow this hallway following the floor signs. When you get to the rink, take a right behind the bleachers. There are a number of "rooms" under the bleachers with power.
Photo Positions
Lower-level: Lower-level photography spots will be assigned in front of Sections 116 and 117. These can be accessed from the event level – photographers should follow floor signage beneath the bleachers.
- Lower-level positions will be assigned for championship-level competition only. (Photo Positions and Work Room Assignments)
Mid-level: Photographers can shoot from Section 105 on the ADA platform.
Upper-level: Upper-level photographer positions will be available (more information available on-site). Additionally, photographers may place remote cameras on the Bridgestone Arena catwalk with advanced permission.
To access the mid- and upper-level positions, head towards the photo work area, before you get to the rink, take a left and head down the hall until you reach a yellow wall with elevators.
Television Cameras
Television camera must see Michael Terry with U.S. Figure Skating to obtain special permission to shoot practice and competition footage (junior only). Cameras are welcome to shoot interviews in the mixed zone and press conference areas.
B-Roll
B-roll will be provided digitally by request. B-roll will be provided for the championship events and other competitions as requested. Please contact Michael Terry if you would like to receive b-roll.
Event Photos
U.S. Figure Skating will make photos available in a timely manner for media use after all official practices and competition events. Photos will be available for download via the Media Photo Bank on SmugMug (Please email Taylor Dean (below) for the password). All photos must be credited to “Jay Adeff/U.S. Figure Skating” must adhere to media usage guidelines (editorial use only, credit must be given). For specific requests, please email Taylor Dean (tdean@usfigureskating.org) prior to the start of competition.
Media Availability
Athletes (by request) will be asked to be available to the media after their official practices at Bridgestone Arena (As always, requested athletes will go through the mixed zone after both competitive performances and the top three after each segment of competition will be in a press conference).
All additional interview requests will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Junior-level athletes will be available by request in the mixed zone or for one-on-one interviews. Please see a member of the U.S. Figure Skating communications staff to make a request.
The mixed zone must be accessed through the media work area/press conference room.
Remote Interviews, Mixed Zone and Press Conferences
Both in-person and remote media members will have the opportunity to ask questions in the mixed zone and press conference, starting with in-person media members.
All remote credential holders will be able to access the mixed zone and press conferences through a provided link and password (These will be emailed out to remote credential holders prior to the start of official practice). Please do not share these links with anyone (doing so will result in the removal of your access privileges). All competition mixed zones and press conferences will be archived and available for on demand viewing. As such, there will be no written quotes provided at this event. Mixed zone interactions at practice sessions will NOT be recorded. No interviews will be facilitated following warm-up sessions.
Interview protocol:
- For the short programs/rhythm dance, athletes will be brought through the mixed zone by request only. For the free skate/free dance, athletes in the second group will all be brought through, while athletes from the first group will be brought through by request only.
- Remote media must submit their requested athletes by emailing Marissa Pederson (mpederson@usfigureskating.org) at least two hours before the first competition of the day.
- On-site media can submit their requested athletes in person or via email.
- On-site media members will have the opportunity to ask questions first using a microphone so the remote media can also hear the question. On-site media must comply with social distancing guidelines and wear a mask at all times. Athletes and on-site media will be speaking into a microphone to ensure all can hear them.
- After the on-site members are finished asking questions, remote media will have the opportunity to ask a question. Remote media should indicate their interest in asking a question via the chat function as soon as the athlete gets into the mixed zone/press conference area. See full Zoom etiquette below.
Remote media must adhere to the follow etiquette on all Zoom calls:
- It is suggested that media members use the video option to call into Zoom. Athletes will have the ability to see the media during all mixed zone and press conference interactions. While credential holders can call in on their phones, they will be unable to message the moderator and therefore unable to ask a question.
- Media members must use their first and last name, as well as their media outlet, as their Zoom name (ex. Marissa Pederson, U.S. Figure Skating). There will be a virtual waiting room and you will only be admitted if you use the name from your credential application. Please make sure your name is listed in English so we can easily identify you.
- Once admitted into the Zoom room, media members must have their audio muted. The moderator will only unmute you when it is your turn to speak. Athletes will be able to see you during all interviews held over Zoom.
- Once prompted by the moderator, those wanting to ask a question should tell the moderation via the Zoom chat function. The moderator will call on those wanting to ask a question and unmute them. After the question has been answered, you will be re-muted.
- To "pin" the athlete Zoom box to your main screen, right click on their Zoom square and then select "pin". This will ensure that the athlete is always visible to you even when other people are speaking.
- Mixed zone interviews and press conferences will be on SEPARATE Zoom calls. This is different from last season. After the final athlete has come through the mixed zone for a competition segment, that call will be ended and you will need to join the press conference call for that discipline. On-demand videos will be timestamped for athletes in the mixed zone.
On-demand Interviews
Mixed zone session from competition days will be available to media members following the event (uploaded upon availability). Videos will be time-stamped.
One-on-one Interviews
One-on-one interview requests will be handled on a case-by-case basis. We will try to fulfill as many requests as we can on-site, but will also look to set up interviews after the event (later in January). Please fill out this form to submit your request.
Press Conference Schedule
Updated 1/1/22
Press conferences will take place after all championship-level competition segments, featuring the top-three finishers after the short program and rhythm dance, and the gold, silver and bronze medalists after the free skate and free dance. All press conferences will take place in the press conference room. Please note all times below are local (Central Time), approximate and subject to change. Please arrive early.
Thursday, Jan. 6
Championship pairs short program press conference (Top 3)
Immediately following championship pairs free skate draw: Approx. 6:05 – 6:25 p.m.
Championship ladies short program press conference (Top 3)
Immediately following championship ladies free skate draw: Approx. 9:35 – 9:55 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 7
Championship rhythm dance press conference (Top 3)
Immediately following championship free dance draw: Approx. 5 – 5:20 p.m.
Championship ladies medalists press conference (Top 3)
Immediately following championship ladies awards: Approx. 10:25 – 10:45 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 8
Championship men's short program press conference (Top 3)
Immediately following championship men's free skate draw: Approx. 5:15 – 5:25 p.m.
Women’s U.S. Olympic Figure Skating Team media availability
5:30 – 6:15 p.m.
Team will be announced during NBC’s figure skating telecast at approx. 3:50 p.m.
Championship pairs medalists press conference (Top 3)
Immediately following championship pairs competition: Approx. 7:15 – 7:35 p.m.
Championship free dance medalists press conference (Top 3)
Immediately following championship ice dance awards ceremony: 9:25 – 9:45 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 9
Pairs U.S. Olympic Figure Skating Team media availability
9:30 – 10:15 a.m.
Ice Dance U.S. Olympic Figure Skating Team media availability
10:30 – 11:15 a.m.
Championship men's free skate press conference (Top 3)
Immediately following championship men's awards ceremony: Approx. 3:20 – 3:40 p.m.
Men’s U.S. Olympic Figure Skating Team media availability
5:45 – 6:15 p.m.
