What Curling Is Not

"Isn't that the game that looks like shuffleboard on ice?"

If I had a dollar for every person who responded that way, I'd be a rich man.  (Hey, maybe I should demand a dollar every time I'm asked that question!) As polite as I am when asked that question.....

I just don't see it.  

Handshakes

Curling is the only sport I know of that begins and ends with a handshake.  Every match ends with handshakes, no matter how lopsided it is.  And every match begins with a good luck handshake.  After every match, at least in club curling, it is customary to share a drink and some conversation in the warm room.  (Winner buys).  Curlers get to know each other, and stick together. It truly is a game of kindness, and friendliness, and good sportsmanship.  

But it's about more than just the game.

A +1 Is Awarded to TSN.... But We Still Need A Little Help!

Yesterday, 22 February 2011, I wrote a post, a bit miffed with TSN, because they took their video on demand away from those of us outside of Canada.  They took it away from those inside Canada, too, but they at least could get TSN on their TVs.  Not only did I write my post, I started a bit of a poke-at-TSN campaign on Twitter.  And I had fun doing it; thanks to everyone who took part!

Today, the CCA announced that TSN would, indeed, be bringing back the curling VOD, starting with draw 13, which is the afternoon draw of 23 February 2011, of the Scotties.  Which is today.  I'd like to think I had something to do with this. Maybe I did, maybe I didn't, but I'm going to keep thinking I did until someone tells me otherwise.

TSN, however, went one better:

Help Us Out, TSN!

My Canadian readers already know about TSN.  Others might not.  For those who don't (from Wikipedia):


The Sports Network, commonly abbreviated as TSN, is a Canadian English language cable television specialty channel and is Canada's leading English language sports TV channel. TSN premiered in 1984, in the second group of Canadian specialty cable channels. TSN is owned by CTV Specialty Television, a joint venture of CTVglobemedia (80%) and ESPN (20%).


So, for those in the US, think of TSN as Canadian ESPN.  They have a SportsCentre - I do love the r-before-e spellings used in Canada! - and they rebroadcast a lot of ESPN programming, including Pardon The Interruption, a show that focuses heavily on professional sports in the US.  


They also broadcast a lot of curling.  A LOT of curling.  The Canadian Curling Association - the CCA, as I will be cavalierly abbreviating throughout this little post - has an exclusive broadcast agreement with TSN and CTVglobemedia.  This means that other networks, such as the CBC (a traditional strong partner of curling in Canada) are shut out.  CCA events include the Continental Cup, the Tim Hortons Brier (which are the men's championships) and the Scotties Tournament of Hearts (the women's championships), the last of which is currently being contested.  

Shoes!

When I first started curling, I used equipment provided by my club.  One of those pieces of equipment was a slip-on slider, so I could slide when I was delivering my stones.  It was a good way to learn how to curl, but it is a sub-optimal method of delivery.

There are several major problems with slip-on sliders.  First of all, I have gigantic (size 15!) feet.  Most sliders are too short, and I could not get a good delivery as a result.  I partially remedied that by purchasing an extra large slider.  Second. it doesn't usually stay on your foot well, causing an occasional drift, especially in a curler who is just learning form.  Furthermore, they don't really slide all that well - it takes more force to deliver a stone with a slip-on slider than shoes.  Finally, it delays the game to sit down, put on a slider, only to have to take it off after delivering a couple of stones.

Props Need To Be Given To The Buffalo News!

As you might recall, a couple of days ago, I posted this little entry, lamenting the lack of media coverage of Team Lank, making a run at the US Curling National Championship.  Was it heavy handed?  Yes. Did it help?

Maybe.

I sent a link to this post to almost every news outlet I called out in this story.  One of them wrote back.  The Buffalo News was completely unaware of these happenings, but they are certainly interested now!  They were looking for ways to get in contact with Patti Lank - not being personally acquainted with her, but knowing people who are, I was able to get the reporter who contacted me the necessary information.

So, my thanks and compliments to Tyler Dunne of the Buffalo News!  Here's hoping you get a great story here! (I smell Pulitzer!) To the other news organizations that didn't contact me - I know you haven't posted anything on your websites yet.  I've checked.

That Looks More Like A Swiffer than a Broom!

In the beginning, corn brooms were the standard for the curling ice.  That's right - the same broom Grandma used to use was used to sweep in front of the stones!  That made for a noisy game - not only did the stones rumble, but the sweeping made a fun "BAP BAP BAP" sound.