Roar of the Rings™
Dec. 7th, 2009 11:45 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jawnbcYou know you're in Canada when the sports reports starts with hockey. Unless of course there's some serious curling shit happenin', yo. And right now there's some serious mo' fo' curling shit happenin'.
'Tis the Roar of the Rings: the selection for Canada's men's and women's curling rinks (teams) for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Our wheelchair curling rink was already selected.
People often talk about the pressure for Canada to win hockey gold. But really there are a number of countries with strong hockey culture to make the men's tournament a...tournament. And it's the US vs. Canada for the women. But the depth of curling talent in Canada means that whomever goes to the Olympics is expected to bring home gold. Or don't bother coming home.
OK maybe that's a slight exaggeration...
Since curling returned to the Games in 1998 (after 60+ years), Canada has earned two gold, two silver and two bronze medals. Switzerland has 4 medals (1 g, 2s, 1b); ditto Sweden (1g, 2s, 1b). Though let's be clear: no Canadians entered in 1924, which explains how France got a bronze medal. They didn't tell us there was gonna be curling: they were afraid to. Clearly.
Through a complicated system of rankings and tournament results, 8 rinks qualified for the men's and women's roars. 4 in each tournament earned their spots by placing in the top 4 in the Road to the Roar pre-tournament last month. To give you an idea of the depth of the sport here in Soviet Canuckistan Brad Gushue--the reigning Olympic champion--didn't qualify for the Roar. Canada's other gold was earned by the rink of Schmirler the Curler.
On the women's side there's already been several upsets. On the men's side...not so much. But by next Saturday we'll know which gals will be Team Canada; the men will be crowned the next day.
And then the pressure really begins. Hurry!!!! Haaaaard!!!!!!! Wh-wh-wh-whooooooooa!
'Tis the Roar of the Rings: the selection for Canada's men's and women's curling rinks (teams) for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Our wheelchair curling rink was already selected.
People often talk about the pressure for Canada to win hockey gold. But really there are a number of countries with strong hockey culture to make the men's tournament a...tournament. And it's the US vs. Canada for the women. But the depth of curling talent in Canada means that whomever goes to the Olympics is expected to bring home gold. Or don't bother coming home.
OK maybe that's a slight exaggeration...
Since curling returned to the Games in 1998 (after 60+ years), Canada has earned two gold, two silver and two bronze medals. Switzerland has 4 medals (1 g, 2s, 1b); ditto Sweden (1g, 2s, 1b). Though let's be clear: no Canadians entered in 1924, which explains how France got a bronze medal. They didn't tell us there was gonna be curling: they were afraid to. Clearly.
Through a complicated system of rankings and tournament results, 8 rinks qualified for the men's and women's roars. 4 in each tournament earned their spots by placing in the top 4 in the Road to the Roar pre-tournament last month. To give you an idea of the depth of the sport here in Soviet Canuckistan Brad Gushue--the reigning Olympic champion--didn't qualify for the Roar. Canada's other gold was earned by the rink of Schmirler the Curler.
On the women's side there's already been several upsets. On the men's side...not so much. But by next Saturday we'll know which gals will be Team Canada; the men will be crowned the next day.
And then the pressure really begins. Hurry!!!! Haaaaard!!!!!!! Wh-wh-wh-whooooooooa!
