Busy weekends of curling these days...While Team Fournier has been taking some time off, there has been lots of curling.
Grand Slam – World Cup of Curling
The first Grand Slam was this weekend, with Glenn Howard beating John Epping in the finals. It was a great run by Team Epping – who I boldly predicted would have a big year.
There was some interesting TV – I enjoyed the McEwen-Howard quarter-final on Saturday afternoon.
For those of you who missed it – McEwen was one-down playing 8 with last rock. On McEwen’s last rock – he was faced with a choice: a really tough in-off on a rock 6 inches from the boards for 2 points and the win – or a simple draw to the 4-foot to force an extra end.
I think McEwen is the only big team in the world that would have tried shot A. He tried it, just missed it – and lost. Most wise older curlers would surely make the easy draw and take their chances in the extra end...but McEwen is so sure that he will make everything that he tried a seemingly low % shot for the win.
So what was he thinking? Was he sure that Howard would beat him in the extra end? Or was he sure that he would make a really tough in-off?
Who knows – but you have to respect a guy that goes for the big shot – even if he ends up looking like Tin Cup sometimes.
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Crappy Moustaches:
It’s November, so that means it’s time for many male (and sadly a few female) curlers to grow some tragic facial hair in support for Prostate Cancer research in the increasingly popular Movember movement.
I too have joined this trend, as evidenced here:
I believe I either look like a bus driver, or a 70’s porn star. Not sure which one is better.
Sadly, I am growing this to support a former club mate and friend at Lachine who I recently found out is fighting the big C. He is one of the most positive and optimistic guys I have ever had the pleasure of curling with – and I am sure he will fight this fight the same way.
So give generously...here is the link:
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Free laptop for one of my readers!
The good folks at HP have donated a free laptop for me to give away to one of my readers! As I mentioned last week – they are sponsoring Team Gushue, and are throwing some love my way as a result of my ever increasing on-line blogger popularity.
Here it is:
So – if you want to win a notebook – here is what I need you to do:
Post a comment here or on my Facebook Link saying who your favourite curler is (past or present) and why.
Example: “Eve Muirhead is my favourite curler because of the way she holds her bagpipes”. Or “Hec Gervais is my favourite curler because of his kick-ass sideburns and because he was the Gentle Giant”. Be creative. The contest is open for one week.
I will randomly pick a winner from entries.
Special consideration will not be given for those who shower me with free drinks – although you are welcome to try.
(To my mother: please do not enter the contest by saying that Mike Fournier is your favourite curler)
Thanks to HP for this cool giveaway – and keep sponsoring curling teams and curling in general!
Mike, I love your humour and insight. My favourite curler is Robbie Maclean- one of the finest gentlemen to play the game at such a high level. Bruce
ReplyDeleteThe coolest Curler ever has to be the Ice Man,
ReplyDeleteAl Hackner.
Dave Dunlop
Gotta love Hemmings at any level, makes the national level still seem fun! Shave? Comb? coffee? I don't know if he knows these words!
ReplyDeleteBrock Macdonald
None other than Dale Ness in his Junior curling days.
ReplyDeleteWhen throwing last rock he'd show me where to put the broom down, cut a fart and head to the other end of the ice....leaving me to stand there with tears streaming down my face from the fumes all around. It doesn't seem logical to impair your 3rd like that, but then again he went on to 4 Brier appearances...so I guess he knew best!
Bob Wood
My favourite curler is Paul Gowsell, for winning all the while being the Keith Richards of the curling world! My second favourite is obv, Brad Heidt because I almost got my ass kicked by shrek himself!
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work Mike
Hands down, my favorite curler would be the late Sandra Schmirler. She was passionate about the sport, a world class curler, and just a good person. I have two pictures of her in my mind, coming down the stairs at the Regina airport holding her baby, and at the news conference when she announced the cancer that would take her life far too soon.
ReplyDeleteOn a slightly lighter note, the 'stache is definitely 70's porn star...not that I ever watched any!
My favorite curler is Éric Sylvain. Imagine if you would be given the opportunity to curl with a Quebec's icon? I am that lucky; I curl with Youppi!
ReplyDeletePhilippe Ménard
Without question my favorite curler is Dwayne Fowler. I have had the pleasure, nay the privilege, of playing alongside my hero.
ReplyDeleteI would say after this experience that if it weren't for the ineptitude which surrounds him whomever he plays with, be it strategy or sweeping, he may well have never have missed a shot.
Just ask him.
DC
Dont want no laptop but to the question «Who is my favorite curler ?», outside of Kristen Richard of course. Après mûres réflexions, the answer is Glenn Howard.
ReplyDeleteBecause I learn more from Glen's subtle and smart tactics than from anybody else. Watch and learn curling always. His team is at the pinnacle, whitout throwing obsene weigths. He doesn't seem to be winning as many Briers as he should, however.
Pat Ryan and Jeff Staughton also come to mind, for the same reasons.
Pierre Poulin