Two S-R- photographers, Dan Pelle and Colin Mulvany, and I arrived at the Arena at 2 p.m. today to get our press credentials for the skating championships.

Toby Steward and Barb Beddor, co-promoters of the event, walked through the media credentialing area looking both calm and on-alert.

Neither one has gotten sick in these intense months leading up to the event, though Barb says she regularly loses her voice due to all the talking she must do. Toby said they take "lots of antioxidants."

The Arena looked spanking clean, as did every worker there -- police, volunteers, Arena employees -- all in fresh looking uniforms.

Parents sat here and there in the stands, but the place was fairly empty, except for workers, volunteers and some family, and the skaters at practice, of course.

It had the feel of a gathering place just before a big event, such as a wedding or a political rally. All is ready. Exhale. And let it begin.

---

---