Scott Hamilton, skating star turned skating commentator, is at the Arena in a visible way. During the slow times, he often walks through the stands, chatting with people.

Friday afternoon, he signed an autograph for 7-year-old Craig Anderson who is pictured here with Hamilton, and Craig's mom, Kirsten Anderson, and Craig's grandma, Elsbeth Ellis.

The Andersons live in Ephrata. Grandma Elsbeth lives in Trail, B.C. They've been here the entire championships, staying in a motel in north Spokane.

In between competitions and practices, when nothing's going on, they remain at the Arena. They take walks or chat with other regulars near their seats in Row N, right next to the media seating. They don't get bored, they said. Craig has a DS to occupy him.

Why the intense devotion? "We're Canadians," Kirsten explained. "We love figure skating. And we couldn't afford the Olympics."

 

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