As much as Canadians declare hockey a big part of our culture there is another ice based sport we’re always ready and willing to call our own: curling.
The sport was not created in Canada, the credit actually belongs to Scotland. However it does owe a great deal to Canada for falling in love with the game and taking it to a higher level over time.
Canada’s Game?
Doug Clark’s book The Roaring Game: A Sweeping Saga of Curling outlines our nation’s role in the development of curling. That novel really is the quintessential read for any fan of the game. Not only is it endorsed by many of the top curlers but if you are lucky you may learn, just as I did, that your small hometown was a key factor in the sports evolution.
However, despite their rich history, Canada’s medals in the Olympic Games since the sport's reintroduction at Nagano in 1998 have not always been golden; both the men and women have only won a single gold medal a piece.
It’s clear a win is no longer a given on the international stage, not like the past. Even though Canada claims the top spot in the world for our Curling Federation there are many other countries that have closed the gap after adopting the game themselves.
The Women’s Draw
For the Women Cheryl Bernard will represent Canada in her first Winter Olympic Games. While Bernard may not be recognized as easily as other female curlers she is still primed and ready to take on the stiff competition mounting at Vancouver 2010.
China is the up-and-coming power as a curling fedearation and the direct competition for Canada on the Women's side of the draw. Bingyu Wang of China is the current defending world champion and will pose fierce competition.
There’s also Mirjam Ott of Switzerland in medal contention, and then the rest of the teams making up what’s being called the deepest pool of teams ever in international competition. Make no mistake Canada is a clear medal favourite but the gold will not come without a fight.
The Men’s Draw
The Canadian Men almost mirror the Women,
they’ve had success in the past however the rest of the curling world
has now caught up.
But while Bernard is a new face representing Canada the Men’s side is lead by the familiar, well known skip Kevin Martin. He is experienced and talented and looking for some retribution.
Martin claimed silver at the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games, and silver
recently in the 2009 World Championships, and is now looking for that
elusive gold. Canada does own the last Olympic gold medal from the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games, won by the Brad Gushue rink, and it will now be
Martin’s job to defend the title. He will look to rekindle the play that helped him to win the World Championship title in 2008.
Canada is joined by reigning World Champion David Murdoch of Great Britain as well as Thomas Ulsrud
of Norway as early favourites. Like the women the Men’s draw also touts
great depth with many experienced skips right across the board.
Keep the Faith
But even in spite of these challenges there is reason for great optimism. Not only does Canada have two very talented rinks sporting the Maple Leaf but they also have home crowd support and even in curling that can matter, especially with the tough competition present this year.Every time a country hosts an Olympic Games there are always success stories that emerge for the host nation, often in the unlikeliest of places. And for that reason at the 2010 Winter Games the stage is set for the great story of Canada reclaiming our curling supremacy.
Literally a game of inches you have to believe that even the smallest of advantages has to help one side onward to victory. With the way our country unites behind this sport, challenging field or not the fans will be up to the test and will make certain they give full support to our curlers.
It’s true that a Canadian curling medal is not surprising, it’s actually somewhat expected in fact. However reclaiming the gold in both the Men’s and Women’s competitions, coming out on top of a very tough draw at home, may very well become one of the brightest stories for our national team at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games.
Photo Credits: Reverend Aviator and Bret Arnett
http://newnewsnet.byu.edu/pdf/du20100216.pdf
Your site mentioned today in Utah university newspaper ...nice to see.
Posted by: KAS | February 16, 2010 at 09:54 AM