Day 6: Curling! (Or what a day that was!)

I have some sort of unusual fascination with the sport of curling. I'm not sure what originally did it; if it was the first time I curled at Winter Carnival when they added it as an event or if it was the watching it at the Lambda Chi house while eating mealplan during the Salt Lake City games. Or perhaps it was the highly amusing Canadian curling movie, "Men with Brooms" that is so great, or perhaps it is the shear fact that it is the only sport I can think of that has it in the rules that you can play and drink on the ice at the same time. Or the fact that Mrs. DeBruyne, my neighbor looked exactly like the late women's curling champion and 1998 Olympic gold medalist Sandra Schmirler (my personal curling hero). Or it could be the fun that is just throwing stones and getting to yell at people to broom "HARD!!!!!" all while keeping a straight face. I don't know, all I know is that I Love curling!So when I got to sit in the third row right in front of the Canadian women's house for the round robin competition and watch the USA, Sweden, Denmark, Swiss, Japan, Germany, and Russian ladies curl at the same time. . . . .Wow, what a day that was!

First of all, the curling rink not only served the usual beer,

wine, sausage, and sandwiches but they also served sushi and wait for it. . . . . . . . Canadian version of Cornish Pasties! Differences between them and UP-style? They have the same main ingredients (beef & potatoes) but they taste a little bit different, like it was more beef stew-y inside. I still put ketchup on it and it was delicious. Mmmmmm pasties. . . .

Inside the rink, (which after the Olympics will be converted into a community centre) had 4 sheets (curling surfaces) separated by some very official looking carpet. We were so lucky to get such great seats; not only in location, but also by the fact that we were surrounded by hardcore canadian fans who knew the game inside and out. At first I didn't know which game to watch since all 4 were taking place at the same time and the fact that I enjoy listening to the commentary that they have on the TV that tells me what specific strategy is going on. I was for a moment overwhelmed, but then I started listened to the surrounding commentary by the old guys behind me and the zealous guy next to me. Between those two conversations I had all the insight I needed to really enjoy the game. I even got to learn some new curling terminology that I had heard, but I guess never quite understood what it meant. The old guys were a wealth of knowledge, once again, I felt so lucky. The fans out there were crazy into the game and a bit more rowdy that I had anticipated (but then again, this is the Olympics, so things are extra exciting). Everyone seemed to have a cheer for the game they were watching, even the international fans got into it. My favorite is by a swedish fan, "We are blue we are yellow, we are anything but mellow". So corny, but so full of enthusiasm! You just have to love it.

With all my new found knowledge, I was now prepared (or at least guided) to be able

to watch all 4 games at the same time. I knew which game to pay attention to when, who was trying to do what, and who was in position to score the most points. It was so awesome, I totally feel like I can now say that I am a true fan (vs an enthusiast).

The Canadian women were playing the very tough Swiss team and most of the rink was cheering for them. There was a small but vocal American crowd that was cheering for the USA ladies who were battling the Japanese. Through out the games there were intermittent, 'Go Canada' and much quieter 'Go USA' cheers. Some guy even had a blowhorn that played the first line of the 'Star Spangled Banner' and 'Yankee Doodle' that was let loose after a key American point

or stone was placed. Most of the time though, the cheering was for Canada and the fierce curling battle that they put on. When the Canadians finally won the final end and the Swiss conceded defeat, the place erupted and people started to stand up. However there was one game still going on and that was between the Japanese and the USA and that one was a nail biter. The USA was down by a point, but had the possibility to tie it up in the 10th end. After the final stone was thrown it was so close, they had to call for the special measuring device that figures out which stone is closest to the button. It was completely silent in the rink as everyone waited for the results: USA or Japan. . . . . . .

Well, it turned out to be Japan. No luck for the Americans. What impressed me was that there was no comment from the canadian fans other than, 'Well, that was a great curl, it came to down to the stick!' I just love the gracious sportsmanship of all the fans out here at the Olympics, its truly inspiring. I can't wait till I get the chance to sit with the curling fans again and see what more I can learn about the sport!