A day behind the scenes at the Grand Prix Final
A volunteer at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final sees a side of competition that spectators rarely notice. The audience experiences music, costumes, jumps and applause from the Palavela stands. Volunteers experience the coordinated movement that makes those moments possible, from opening arena doors to guiding athletes between practice, warm-up and the ice.
In Turin, the 2019 Final brought Senior and Junior skaters together from December 5–8. The program included men’s, ladies’, pairs and ice dance, with practices, competition sessions and the exhibition gala adding different rhythms to the event. Every part of the schedule needed people who could provide information, protect restricted areas and help visitors feel welcome.
The role is practical, social and sometimes intense. A volunteer may begin the morning checking an accreditation point, spend the afternoon answering questions about seating, and finish the evening helping the arena return to order. The work changes with the schedule, yet the purpose remains steady: create a smooth environment for athletes, officials, media and fans.
Arriving before the arena comes alive
A volunteer’s day starts earlier than the first public session. At the Palavela, the first task is usually to report to the assigned meeting point, collect a pass or uniform, and attend a short briefing. Supervisors outline the day’s timetable, radio procedures, emergency information and any changes affecting entrances, seating or athlete movement.
The briefing is important because a skating event operates on precise timing. Practice sessions may take place while spectators are entering, officials are preparing results equipment and athletes are moving through controlled corridors. Volunteers need to understand which doors are open, which areas require accreditation and where to direct people if a route changes.
Before visitors arrive, there is also time to inspect the working area. A front-of-house volunteer checks signs, barriers and information desks. Someone assigned to seating confirms the layout and accessibility routes. A volunteer near an athlete entrance verifies that the passage is clear. These small checks reduce confusion once the arena begins filling.
Turin adds a useful local dimension to the role. Fans may arrive from across Italy and from many other countries, so clear communication matters. A warm greeting, simple English and a willingness to find the correct information can be more helpful than a long explanation. Volunteers represent the atmosphere of the event before the first skater takes the ice.
Guiding fans through a busy venue
When doors open, the pace changes quickly. Spectators need help locating entrances, ticket checkpoints, seating blocks, toilets, merchandise areas and food concessions. Some are attending a skating competition for the first time and may need a brief explanation of the session format. Others already know the sport but need immediate directions because they are moving between the arena and another part of the venue.
A volunteer must provide accurate information without blocking the flow of people. This often means standing where visitors can be seen, using concise directions and checking that signs are visible from the approach. If a seat is difficult to locate, walking the visitor toward the correct section may be more effective than pointing across a crowded concourse.
The atmosphere changes between disciplines. A ladies’ or men’s free skating session can create a concentrated hush before a performance and a powerful burst of sound afterward. Pairs and ice dance bring their own patterns of anticipation, while Junior events may draw relatives, coaches and supporters with particularly strong personal connections to the competitors.
Volunteers also help protect that atmosphere. They may remind spectators about movement during a performance, direct late arrivals to a suitable waiting point or explain when entry is permitted. The goal is to balance hospitality with respect for the skaters’ concentration and the audience’s experience.
Staying close to the competition without interrupting it
Many volunteer assignments take place near the operational heart of the event. Athlete services, mixed-zone access, practice-session entrances and officials’ routes all require calm attention. The volunteer is close enough to notice when assistance is needed, but must avoid unnecessary conversation or movement in areas where skaters are preparing.
A typical assignment might involve checking accreditation at a corridor, guiding a competitor toward the correct room or helping a team member find the designated meeting area. The details matter. An athlete arriving for practice cannot be delayed, and an unauthorized visitor cannot be allowed into a restricted zone simply because the request sounds urgent.
The role calls for discretion. Volunteers may see skaters warming up, coaches reviewing plans or officials managing the competition timetable. Those moments belong to the event’s working environment, not to a public meet-and-greet. Professional conduct means keeping attention on the assignment and treating every person with the same respect, whether they are a headline contender or a Junior competitor.
Practice sessions can be especially instructive. They reveal the preparation behind the polished performance: repeated elements, music checks, edge work and careful communication between skaters and coaches. For a volunteer, the experience offers a close view of the discipline required at international level, while the responsibility remains to keep doors, routes and schedules functioning.
| Part of the day | Typical volunteer focus | What visitors and athletes need |
|---|---|---|
| Early briefing | Check assignment, schedule and safety procedures | A prepared, informed event team |
| Arena opening | Welcome guests and manage entrances | Clear access and reliable directions |
| Practice periods | Monitor routes and restricted areas | Quiet, timely movement for athletes |
| Competition sessions | Support seating, information and crowd flow | A comfortable, respectful viewing experience |
| Session changeover | Reset signs, inspect areas and assist departures | An orderly transition between programs |
| Gala or final duties | Guide guests and help close the venue | A memorable finish and safe departure |
Managing the rhythm between sessions
The quiet periods between skating sessions are rarely idle. Volunteers may reset queue barriers, update directional signs, check an information point or help clear a seating section. If a morning practice gives way to an afternoon competition, the venue must shift from an athlete-focused environment to a public-facing one within a limited window.
Session changeovers require teamwork. One person may answer ticketing questions while another checks whether a family has entered the correct section. A supervisor may relay a timetable update by radio, and a volunteer at a staircase may adjust the flow of people moving in opposite directions. Good coordination keeps small problems from becoming visible disruptions.
Ticketing and seating questions are common. Spectators may want to know whether a ticket applies to one session or several, where a particular block is located, or how to reach accessible seating. Volunteers should rely on official information rather than guess. When the answer is not immediately available, directing the visitor to the correct information or ticketing desk is better than offering uncertain advice.
The work can become demanding during popular sessions, especially when medal contenders are expected or when the exhibition gala attracts a full audience. Patience is part of the assignment. A calm response helps a frustrated visitor more effectively than matching their urgency, and a well-timed request for supervisor support prevents volunteers from handling issues beyond their authority.
Supporting the gala and the wider event experience
The exhibition gala has a different character from the scored competition. Skaters can perform in a more celebratory setting, and the audience often arrives ready for a shared finale. Volunteers may help with guest directions, seating, access control and the transition from formal competition procedures to a festive evening program.
The gala still depends on careful organization. Ushers need to understand when doors open, where late arrivals should wait and how to keep aisles clear. Information staff may receive questions about the running order or venue facilities. Behind the scenes, teams continue to coordinate athlete access, production requirements and audience movement.
A volunteer can feel the emotional shift across the day. Competition sessions carry tension because every element affects a result. The gala invites applause for the skaters as performers and celebrates the event as a whole. That change makes the final assignment especially rewarding: the volunteer is helping visitors leave with a positive memory of the arena and of Turin.
The broader event experience also includes the city beyond Palavela. Visitors may ask about public transport, nearby landmarks or how to return to their accommodation. Volunteers are not required to act as full-time tour guides, but local knowledge and a helpful attitude can make the event feel more connected to its host city.
The qualities that make the shift work
Volunteering at a major skating event is less about having expert knowledge of every rule and more about being dependable. Familiarity with the basic disciplines helps, yet the essential qualities are punctuality, attention, courtesy and the ability to follow instructions under pressure.
A successful volunteer notices what needs to happen next. That could mean replenishing printed schedules, alerting a supervisor to a blocked route or helping a visitor before confusion spreads through a queue. Initiative is valuable when it stays within the agreed procedures and respects the chain of responsibility.
The most useful habits include:
- Arrive early enough to review the assignment and allow for transport delays.
- Keep the accreditation pass visible and follow restricted-area rules consistently.
- Use official schedules, venue maps and supervisor guidance when answering questions.
- Protect the concentration of athletes by keeping corridors quiet and orderly.
- Share important updates promptly with the rest of the volunteer team.
The shift also teaches practical event management. Volunteers see how ticketing, seating, athlete services, media work, security and competition operations depend on one another. A delay at one point can affect several teams, while a simple act of clear communication can keep the entire venue moving.
Leaving with more than a uniform
At the end of the day, the final duties may include helping spectators find exits, collecting signs, reporting lost property or checking that a public area is clear. The arena gradually becomes quieter, but the team still has to close the operation carefully. A short debrief allows volunteers to share incidents, record useful information and prepare for the next session.
The personal reward is rarely a single dramatic moment. It comes from many brief encounters: a family finding its seats in time, an international visitor receiving clear directions, an athlete reaching practice without delay, or a first-time spectator understanding what is happening on the ice. These moments show how service shapes the event.
For someone interested in figure skating, the experience offers an unusual balance of access and responsibility. Volunteers can observe the scale of a Grand Prix Final while contributing to its professional delivery. They become part of the event’s visible welcome and its invisible infrastructure.
The Torino 2019 event remains a useful example of how a major international competition depends on people beyond the skaters and officials. Explore the event information, competition results, venue details and gala memories to discover the complete experience of the Grand Prix Final—and the dedicated volunteer work that helped bring each session to life.