And so, this curling thing was not quiet by way of passionate fans, but missing was any kind of 'Curt Gowdy' (RIP) type broadcasting a TV viewer like me is spoiled by. I had to rely on my in-laws' knowledge of the sport. Not that they were huge curling aficionados, but they had at least watched just about all the coverage from Torino, and knew which ‘end’ was up.
I needed the help, too. First of all, I thought I was just going to see Ireland vs. USA, but there were four busy sheets in the arena. Sheets are the ice ‘fields’ that the matches are played on. So, even though it was somewhat distracting, it was also pretty cool to see these fine gents in the additional and simultaneous contests: Finland vs. Norway, Denmark vs. Japan, and Germany vs. Switzerland.
Right after "The Star Spangled Banner" ended, the players took to the ice to stretch out. That alone was an interesting scene. Seeing all the curlers gliding across the sheet in that funky low down – parallel to the ice – throwing stance was kind of amazing. It almost had the feel of synchronized swimming; there was a certain grace exhibited, to be sure.
Also, there was something about that clunk of one rock hitting another one. I love that sound! It’s a bit like the smack of billiard balls hitting one another. Fittingly, because curling has been likened to both billiards and chess. It’s a simple game in design, but very difficult in execution. Also, each play is different from the one before, in tempo and temperament.
In basketball, or hockey for example, you see variations of the same thing, not that these sports aren’t exciting to watch, but pretty much the speed will remain the same, fast.
In one respect, curling could be compared to baseball. Some plays are slow, a player might walk on base, or even if someone hits a home run, he’ll take his bases slow and leisurely. Other times, speed is crucial to a win or loss. In curling, you could have a fast hard throw of the rock down the sheet, in hopes to either knock the opponent’s rock out of the way, or to place yours exactly in the button. Other times, the rock will get a softer throw, and the sweepers simply act as escorts, keeping the same pace as the rock, not too fast, not too slow, when suddenly the skip will start yelling, and the sweepers start brushing…”Hard, hard, hard!” Then they slow down, watching the rock, then speed up again until they manage to get the rock exactly in the right spot. Incredible.
Article comments
1 - Mark Saleski
actually sounds more interesting than an episode of 24.
seriously!
2 - Mitch
Good posting. Could almost hear the cowbells. And you gotta love the word 'doppelganger.'
3 - DrawtheButton
Great to hear you enjoyed the game I absolutely love. I hope more and more American's can get some exposure to the game, I think it sells itself. I hope you will go out and try it. Maybe you'll get as hooked as I am. If you have time, try coming to Hamilton to see the Brier next year!
I'm actually sitting here considering the 7 hour drive down South to Lowell to see the final that starts in 12 hours.
Have a great summer, and consider curling when the leaves start to change colour. It's a sport that you can play from 6 to 106!
4 - Gerry Geurts
Thanks for your great blog Mary! This kind of excitement by someone new to the sport is very refreshing. I just got home from Lowell about an hour ago, after the 9 hour drive home.
The crowd on the Friday night was quite special, one of the best crowds I've ever seen at a curling event. The generally Americans crowd filled with many newbies brings a new level of excitement to the game which generally seems to be missing in Canada.
5 - Mary K. Williams
Thank you 'Draw' and Gerry -
Amazing to hear that you either traveled such a distance by car, or at least considered such a journey for this event.
At the very least, its a nice tourism boost for our area - and at the most, we all get to learn more about the sport and the fans.
I don't know if I'd actually do this myself, as has been suggested here - but then again - I did take up karate at age 40. Who knows?
6 - Mary K. Williams
UPDATE:
Final draw today at 12:30(EST)
Scotland vs. Canada
7 - Matthew T. Sussman
I missed most of the game, but good for Scotland. They had a lot of close calls in the past year.
8 - Mat Brewster
Sorry I'm way late on this Mary K, but that was great. Cowbells! God bless 'em.