I watched some of the competition in person last Saturday. Lots of fun! There were many competitors present, in several categories.
All the competitors were themselves pretty good competitive skaters, some of National level, and I
think they all skated (sometimes with partners) during part of the competition, which was judged. For an artistic choreography competition, that's a notable barrier to entry.
It was also a chance to catch up with one of my former skating coaches, Jaya Kanal, who wasn't a judge for the final competition, but was a judge for the earlier Internet phase. She thinks shows and ice theater are often more fun to choreograph than competitions, because there are fewer choreography constraints.
I don't think Audrey makes money from this event - donations went to Kids on Ice. Quite a few prominent skating coaches and other people donate their time and sometimes money to the KOI organization, and to this competition. But you couldn't expect quite as well organized a competition or website as ISU and ISU might put together. The music for the final competition was given to the competing choreographers and skaters just 24 hours before the competition. They had to scrabble for choreography and practice ice time at local rinks, e.g., during public sessions.
Imagine trying to create and learn a new routine that fast! Multiply that many times over for Olympic ice dance skaters Gregory and Petukov, who had to skate many choreographer's routines. Wow.
Posted videos of some of the winning competition performances are at
http://www.youtube.com/user/G2CYAS/videosThe KOI Basic 1-8 performances were interesting, within the limits of what could be choreographed at those skating levels.
The DC Edge Synchro teams that performed were interesting too. It's very early in the Synchro season, and the routines weren't polished to full competitive level yet, but I'm sure it was good experience performing before a crowd. I rather liked the rhythm routine (no music) that Emily Mayer choreographed for getting into position on the ice for one of the teams.
At a very approximate guess, 400 - 600 people attended - not too bad for a rink show.
The program ($2) provided nice background bios and pictures of the competitors. The tee-shirts weren't colorful enough for me to buy - and might have given the mis-impression that I competed.
The judges praised the entrants, but also criticized them, within the view and hearing of the entire audience. Not sure how some competitors would feel about that.
I presume there will be another competition next year. Maybe some of you can enter!