|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wheelchair curling news from around the world |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Posts here are mirrored on the Wheelchair Curling Blog, often with photos. Leave comments at the blog or email eric@wheelchaircurling.com |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Your support does make a difference 3/9/2010With the Paralympics and the Canadian
Nationals almost upon us, I've had several emails asking what I will be
doing for the benefit of those family and fans unable to attend the
events. Armstrong hoping exposure will boost sport 3/9/2010"We'll probably enjoy a bit of spinoff ... and get some exposure that otherwise might have taken years to get. And wheelchair curling is a very entertaining game, it truly is," Jim Armstrong told the Canadian Press. Read the full interview HERE. Armstrong wins Sport BC Harry Jerome Comeback award 3/8/2010Sport BC today announced that Jim
Armstrong, skip of the reigning World Champion and defending Paralympic
Champion wheelchair curling team, has been awarded the Sport BC Harry
Jerome Comeback award. Coverage of Paralympic wheelchair curling 3/8/2010Last year at the 2009 Worlds, Cate and I
live-blogged and reported every Canadian match. We were able to do that
because the CCA helped with our expenses. Jim Armstrong "his sport and what it's taught him about life" 3/8/2010Canada skip Jim Armstrong tells the
Vancouver Sun's Yvonne Zacharias: "Yeah, I'm crippled." Ina Forrest and Sonja Gaudet talk about the Paralympics 3/7/2010Team Canada 2nd Ina Forrest tells The
Vernon Morning Star these Games will mean so much more because her
family will be there to watch her. She relished having that experience
last year at worlds. Toronto Star - There's no hard and fast rule for who can play 3/7/2010
Toronto Star reporter Daniel Girard re-works the "curling's healing
power" storyline covering Jim Armstrong's re-emergence from the ashes of
a career blighted by physical injury. GB's McCreadie hints at retirement (again) 3/6/2010Four years ago, just after Great Britain
saw the gold medal they had been favourites to win, flash away with
their last rock. skip Frank Duffy and 3rd Michael McCreadie announced
their retirement from competitive wheelchair curling. Team Korea training in Mission, BC 3/4/2010The high demand for ice time shunted the
Korean team from their usual Richmond or New Westminster training sites,
inland to Mission BC this week, prior to the team moving into the
athlete's village over the weekend. Watch USA train in Abbotsford March 9 3/4/2010Team USA will again be using the
Abbotsford Curling Club as a pre-competition training facility and will
hold an open practice session on Tuesday March 9 from 9am till 2 pm with
a short break for lunch. Canadian wheelchair curlers win Team Of The Year Award 3/3/2010The Canadian wheelchair curling team was
named Team Of The Year after winning the 2009 World Championship. Canada lead Sonja Gaudet to carry torch 3/3/2010The Canadian Paralympic Committee has
selected Team Canada lead Sonja Gaudet as one of 25 torch bearers to
take part in the Paralympic Torch Relay for the Vancouver 2010
Paralympic Winter Games. Wheelchair curling "so much friendlier than regular curling" - Armstrong 3/3/2010"Everybody is here after going through
their own personal difficulties," Armstrong, who was a dentist but
sounds like a fair psychologist, told The Vancouver Sun's Kent
Gilchrist. "They've been through some of life's reality, and egos are
checked at the door. The man behind Armstrong's re-emergence 3/2/2010Canwest's Kent Gilchrist adds a twist to
the now familiar story of Team Canada skip Jim Armstrong's return to the
ice, suggesting Gerry Peckham, an old teammate and now CCA High
Performance Director, will deserve a medal for recruiting Armstrong to
the program. USA's Jimmy Joseph hoping for gold for daughter's birthday 3/2/2010Jimmy Joseph told the Herkimer Evening
Telegram the Paralympic final falls on his daughter’s third birthday.
“Hopefully, I’ll be playing for a gold medal to bring her home as a
present,” he said. Learn to curl in Austin, Texas 3/2/2010Last weekend's Learn to Curl session at
the Chapparral Ice Center in Austin, Texas, brought out over 400 people,
so the club is holding another session Sunday March 7th at 9.30 am. Gary Cormack to talk about his Torino gold medal 3/1/2010Gary Cormack, who played second for Team
Canada 2005-2008 and won a gold medal at the 2006 Torino Paralympics, is
giving a talk about his journey to the podium. BBC Sport introduces GB's professional wheelchair curlers 2/27/2010The BBC sent a reporter to Stirling to
watch Team GB prepare for the Paralympics. As he mentions, curling is
the winter Olympic sport that captures the attention of the British
public, and after the struggles of the GB Olympic teams, the pressure
will be on the McCreadie rink, described as professional wheelchair
curlers. GB's McCreadie "quietly confident of gold" 2/26/2010Team Great Britain skip Michael McCreadie
told reporters assembled at the team send off celebration at their teams
home ice at Braehead: said, “We’re quietly confident of bringing home
the gold medals.” Wheelchair curling coming to New Brunswick 2/22/2010The Canadian Paraplegic Association of
New Brunswick are working with the Fredericton Curling Club to introduce
wheelchair curling to the province. Team GB putting on a demo Feb 24 at East Kilbride 2/22/2010Team Britain will demonstrate their sport at the East Kilbride Ice Rink, East Kilbride centre, on Wednesday 24 February, 12noon-1.00pm. CLICK HERE for details. Lessard sees off Victoria CC challenge at Quebec Provincial 2/21/2010Benoit Lessard skipped his Lennoxville CC
team to a sweep of the challengers from the Victoria CC in Quebec City.
He won the third match of the best of 5 series 11-4, settling down after
going behind 4-0 on steals in the first two ends. Team GB enter and win Scottish Championships 2/21/2010Team Great Britain, all Scots, were one
of ten teams competing in this weekend's Scottish Championship at
Aberdeen. They went unbeaten, stealing in the 5th and 6th to take the
final 7-2 against Jim Elliot. (thanks
Bob Cowan) Hosts Team Lessard 2-0 in best of 5 Quebec Provincial 2/20/2010Ben Lessard led his Lennoxville CC rink to a 2 game lead in their best of 5 series against Jean-François Sylvestre of the Victoria CC in Quebec City. The Lennoxville team has only been curling for a couple of seasons, but that experience showed in comfortable 16-4 and 11-2 wins over the rookie visitors. "The difference for our team was in not giving up big ends," explained assistant coach Dan Janidlo. "The second game was close until we scored 4 in the 7th." Teams: Lennoxville - Benoit Lessard (skip), Carl Marquis (3rd), Denis Grenier (2nd) and Johanne Daly (lead) with Nicole Huberdeau (5th), coach Alfred Whittier assisted by Dan Janidlo. Victoria CC - Jean-François Sylvestre (skip), Michel Verreault (3rd), Allan Burridge (2nd), France Sévigny (lead) with Maxime Aubé (5th), and coachesJacques Palasse, Pierre Morneau and Jacques Deschênes. Championship information can be found HERE Ottawa's Cameron wins Dominion Ontario Championship 2/20/2010Bruce Cameron's rink curling out of the
RA Curling Club brought Ottawa its first provincial title when he beat
three time champion Chris Rees from Toronto 8-3 in the final of the
Dominion Ontario Championship. Quebec holds first Provincial Championship 2/19/2010Wheelchair curling in Quebec began at the
Lennoxville CC where Al Whittier, assisted by Daniel Janidlo moulded a
group of established athletes accomplished in other disciplines into a
team that represented their province for the first time in 2009. Rees crushes Gregory's hopes of repeat Ontario title 2/19/20103-time Ontario champion Chris Rees
(Toronto) booked his place in the final of the 2010 Dominion Ontario
Provincials by beating defending champion Ken Gregory (Bradford) 10-1 in
the semi-final. Gregory, who had relied on a last end 4 in the morning's
last round robin draw to squeak into afternoon play, had no answer for
Rees, who took 2 in the first and then stole to 9-0 lead after 5 ends. Final end 4 puts Gregory in Ontario semi-final 2/19/2010For most of the game it looked like
defending Ontario champion Ken Gregory would become entangled in a
three-way tie of 1-3 teams for third place in the Dominion Ontario
Provincials at the Collingwood CC this morning. Final camp and exhibition matches for Team Canada 2/18/2010Team Canada have their final training
camp this weekend at the Richmond CC. Ottawa's Cameron through to Dominion Provincial final 2/18/2010Bruce Cameron's Ottawa rink rolled to a
third victory on Day 2 of the Dominion Ontario Provincials at the
Collingwood CC. beating Tpronto's Chris Rees 9-8 on a steal in an extra
end. At 3-0 he is assured of a first place finish in the 5 team round
robin, and will go straight through to the final. You can find line scores HERE Cameron takes early lead at Dominion Ontario Provincials 2/17/2010Bruce Cameron's Ottawa rink won both
their games on the opening day of the Dominion Ontario Wheelchair
Curling Championships at the Collingwood CC. Cameron, out of the RA
Curling Club beat fellow Ottawan Richard Fraser from the North
Greenville CC 9-6 in the morning draw despite giving up a steal of 4 in
the 3rd. In the afternoon Cameron posted a 14-1 win over Iderton's Lance
Claus it would take a gun to keep me out of the line-up now! - Armstrong 2/16/2010Want the definitive word on Jim
Armstrong's injury status? The message is the same as already described
on the blog, but here it is, as requested, from Jim himself. Team Gregory looking beyond 2010 2/12/2010Katie Paialunga, who plays second on Ken
Gregory's Bradford based Ontario championship team, admits to looking
beyond 2010, to the 2011 Nationals where she hopes the winner will be
declared Team Canada, breaking the current selection process. Top secret biomechanical research aids TC shooting accuracy 2/12/2010Team Canada's wheelchair curlers have
been part of a top secret research program out of the University of
Alberta that has been analysing and subsequently fine tuning delivery
motions using computer analysis of high speed photography. Armstrong injury update 2/12/2010Several people have mentioned to me that
from their observation, Team Canada skip Jim Armstrong is carrying the
injury to his non-throwing shoulder with obvious discomfort. While there
has been no official comment from the team, my understanding is that the
injury is uncomfortable, and does affect his mobility, but is not
expected to be an issue as far as playing is concerned. Canada's only female skip bringing her team to Halifax 2/8/2010Newfoundland & Labrador's provincial team
will play a series of exhibition games at the Halifax CC this weekend,
February 13-14, against Team Nova Scotia. Both teams finished at 3-6 at
last year's Nationals in Nova Scotia. Team Canada finalists for True Sport Foundation's Team of the Year 2/7/2010Team Canada are one of three finalists
for the True Sport Foundation's award of Team of the Year, to be
presented at the 37th Canadian Sports Awards, March 3rd in Toronto. Meet the new champs, same as the old champs 2/7/2010It was deja vu all over again in Edmonton
and Kenora as Jack Smart and Wayne Ficek successfully defended their
Provincial titles. Ficek 0
0 2 0 3 0 1 0 1 - 7 Alberta and N. Ontario Provincials Day 2 2/6/2010In Edmonton, Jack Smart finished round
robin play with a 13-3 defeat of Edmonton's Donaldson in just 6 ends at the Alberta Provincials. Nuspal beat Keith
12-3 in 7 ends setting up an all Calgary (Smart and Keith) and all
Edmonton (Donaldson and Nuspl) semi-final. Alberta and N. Ontario Championships underway 2/5/2010Current champion Wayne Ficek took 6 in
the 3rd end of a 9-3 victory playing Thunder Bay's Carl Levesque on home
ice in the opening draw of the Shoppers Home Healthcare 2010 N. Ontario
Championship at the Kenora CC. Championship weekend for Alberta and N. Ontario 2/4/2010Two teams from Calgary will travel to
Edmonton's Jasper Place CC to challenge two Edmonton teams for Alberta's
Provincial Championship. Jack Smart's Calgary champions make one forced
change. Last year's 5th, Martin Purvis, replaces Bruno Yizek who'll be
on Team Canada duty during the Nationals. They'll play with the
confidence of knowing that they have represented their province at every
national championship, coming within a whisker of gold in 2009. Team USA works with non-profits to boost adaptive curling 2/3/2010Team USA is based at the Utica CC and
works closely with SITRIN (Success Through Adaptive Recreation and
Sports) which has joined forces with The Central Association for the
Blind and Visually Impaired, and United Cerebral Palsey to raise funds
to enable all their patients curl. USA's McDonald has another chance to represent his country 2/3/2010Californian Patrick McDonald, the only
Team USA curler not competing out of the Utica CC, is profiled
HERE. Karen Blachford named as 2010 RBC Olympian 2/3/2010Karen Blachford, a member of the original
Team Canada and who retired from the national squad after winning a gold
medal at the 2006 Torino Paralympics, has been chosen by the Royal Bank
of Canada to be a 2010 Olympian. Whitney Warren skips to BC provincial title 1/31/2010Prince George's Whitney Warren, one of
only two players to have appeared in every National Championship, will
this year skip the defending national champions on home ice. His team of
Frank LaBounty (3rd), Gerry Austgarden and rookie lead Allison Duddy
beat Gary Cormack 7-1 in the final of the three team championship. Norway complete sweep in Perth 1/31/2010Norway finished the final pre-Paralympic
tournament with a six game sweep against major opposition in Perth,
Scotland. The beat Great Britain, Sweden, Germany and Switzerland and
two Scots development teams. Cormack advances to final of BC provincial 1/30/2010Paralympian gold medalist Gary Cormack's
CVCG Avengers, with Rich Green (3rd) Vince Miele and Corrine Jensen
advance to the final of the BC Provincials after beating Whitney Warren
and Cyril Kinatkin in the three game round robin. Team Canada coach Joe Rea talks to his hometown paper 1/30/2010Team Canada coach Joe Rea tells Jason
Peters of the Prince George Citizen that coaching the national team has
fulfilled the dream of wearing a Team Canada jacket that eluded him as a
player. Norway pull ahead of strong Paralympic field 1/30/2010Norway posted two more wins against
Paralympic contenders on the second day of competition at Perth,
Scotland. The defeated Sweden 6-4 and Gemany 7-6. They also beat
Scotland I 6-4 to end the day 5-0, two games ahead of Great Britain
(3-0). Norway start strong at season's last pre-Paralympic spiel 1/29/2010Five national teams and a couple of Scottish development squads are competing at the Dewar's Centre in Perth, playing alongside teams competing for the Scottish Ladies' Championship. Norway started well, beating Scotland II 9-7 and then Great Britain 6-4. Their coach, Per Christenson, who has yet to officially announce his Paralympic side, had said he didn't want his team to peak too early and Norways performances too date have been patchy. But they have been the side that Canada has found difficult to beat when it mattered. Great Britain straddled their loss with comfortable wins over Scotland I and Scotland II, with Aileen Neilson reportedly throwing fourth stones. In other matches, Sweden beat Switzerland 6-3 while Scotland I overcame Scotland II 6-4. Results can be found HERE. Using the Paralympics to publicise the sport 1/28/2010Team GB third Aileen Neilson gave an
extended interview to
Paul Thomson of the East Kilbride News. She talks about her life
before her disability, how she came into wheelchair curling, how she has
prepared for Vancouver and her hopes for success. USA skip in "I compete clean" TV anti-doping campaign 1/28/2010Team USA skip Augusto Perez, and his photogenic family, are part of the US Anti-Doping Agency's latest media campaign. See blog for video. Premier championnat provincial de curling en fauteuil roulantCurling Québec est fier d’annoncer la
tenue de son premier championnat provincial de curling en fauteuil
roulant qui sera présenté les 20 et 21 février prochain sur les glaces
du club de curling Lennoxville, dans la région de l’Estrie. Rick Mercer curls from a wheelchair 1/27/2010Canadian comedian Rick Mercer filmed a
segment on wheelchair curling shown on Canadian TV last year. No change in WCF attitude to powered wheelchairs 1/27/2010When issues concerning wheelchair curling
arise at the World Curling Federation, the executive looks to their
vice-President Kate Caithness, for guidance. Wheelchair curling is very
much "her baby.' Here is a link to my January Wheelchair Watch (Issue 4) column which outlines the issues as I see them. GB's Jim Sellar to retire if successful in Vancouver 1/27/2010Team Great Britain's Jim Sellar, the
likely fifth in Vancouver, told the Bellshill Speaker that he will
retire from competitive sports if successful in Vancouver. Sellar (53),
who is also a champion bowler, has curled for nine years and has
represented Scotland at five World Championships, winning gold in 2004. Gregory takes gold at Ontario Parasport Winter Games 1/24/2010Ken Gregory's Bradford rink rebounded
from a morning final round robin draw defeat by beating Thunder Bay's
Carl Levesque in an extra end of the gold medal tie-break game at the
Ontario Parasport Winter Games at the Kingston CC. Scores are HERE. In sign of maturing sport, 7 of 9 provinces hold playdowns 1/23/2010Nine provinces have agreed to send teams
to the Canadian Nationals taking place in Kelowna, BC from March 15-21,
the same dates as the Paralympics. Chris Daw commenting from the sidelines 1/23/2010The Vancouver Sun's Lyndon Little, in an
interview posted on Kelowna.com, talks to ex-Team Canada skip Chris Daw
about his new life as manager of the Vancouver CC and his thoughts on
Canada's Paralympics prospects. Read the full article HERE. PEI sponsoring another wheelchair curling clinic 1/23/2010The PEI Curling Association is sponsoring
a free demonstration and workshop at the
Crapaud
Community Curling Club on Sunday January 31. A similar event was
held in December, but the inclement weather kept many people from
attending. It is hoped that representatives from all PEI curling clubs
can attend these sessions. Final international during Scottish Men's Championships 1/23/2010
Bob Cowan reminds me that Great Britain will host the final
international spiel before the Paralympics when they share the ice with
the Scottish Men's Championships at the Dewar's Centre in Aberdeen. Team Gregory 4-0 at Ontario Parasport Winter Games 1/23/2010Ken Gregory's Bradford rink is leading
the six team field at the Ontario Winter Games. With one draw to play
they have a 4-0 record, and having already beaten Carl Levesque's 3-1
Thunder Bay squad, look set to take home gold regardless of the outcome
of tomorrow's draw. They play Kenora's Wayne Ficek, and may be looking
for some revenge after the 13-0 drubbing the were handed in a tie-break
at he 2009 Nationals. 2010 Ontario Parasport Winter Games - Jan 22-24 1/19/2010The Royal Kingston CC is hosting the
curling component of the 5 sport 2010 Ontario Paasport Games from
January 22-24. Six teams wil be competing: Ficek (Kenora), Levseque and
Dawid (Thunder Bay), Rees (Toronto), Gregory (Bradford) and Cameron
(Ottawa). Team Fitzgerald win Nova Scotia playdown 1/17/2010Team Fitzgerald beat Team Brown 3-1 in a best of 5
series at the Lakeshore CC today to become Team Nova Scotia. Four sport Paralympian Tom Killin profiled 1/16/2010Tom Killin, expected to play second on
Team Great Britain in Vancouver, began his Paralympic career at Arnhem
in 1980. Now 59, he has competed in four Olympic sports at the games
over a 30-year period, including basketball, fencing and table tennis. Team Great Britain officially announced 1/16/2010The Royal Caledonian CC, the governing
body of British curling, announced a familiar five names as the official
Team Great Britain. Michael McCreadie will skip an all Scot squad that
includes two other members of the team that suffered the heartbreak loss
to Canada in Turin., Angie Malone and Tom Killin. They are joined by
Aileen Neilson who took a leave of absence from her teaching job to
train ful-time, and Jim Sellar who has attended four World
Championships. Curling is expanding in the San Francisco Bay area 1/16/2010The San Francisco Chronicle reports that
curling is coming to downtown Oakland. The San Francisco Bay Area
Curling Club is expanding beyond San Jose and Fremont, with a curling
Open House at the Oakland Ice Centre on January 30th. "Don't hold back," says Team USA skip 'Goose' Perez 1/16/2010Action Online, the magazine of the United
Spinal, includes Team USA's Augusto Perez in a group of athletes asked
to talk about their outlook on life. As befitting his style of play on
the ice, Goose is forthright and positive. Brown and Fitzgerald tied after first day of NS playdown 1/16/2010Two three man teams are playing a best of five series to decide who claims Debbie Earle and represents Nova Scotia at the Nationals in Kelowna. [see 1/7/2010 post below]. In draw 1 it was Fitzgerald 8-2, with reuslts reversed in the evening as Brown won 7-3. There will be two draws Sunday (17th) and a decider Friday January 22 if necessary. CLICK HERE for Ian Readey's photos of the day's play. Team Sobkowicz takes Manitoba playdown 1/16/2010Chris Sobkowicz will represent Manitoba for the fifth time at the CanadianNational in Kelowna, March 15-21, after defeating Richard Dudek in a best of three playdown at the East St. Paul Curling Club. He made one change from the 2009 team, George Horning replacing Michael Alberg. Alberg played for the challengers, with Don Kalinsky and Effie Loubardias. Manitoba are an experienced side and will be favoured to improve on the bronze medals they won at the previous two Nationals; especially with with BC losing JIm Armstrong and Alberta losing Brno Yizek to the Paralympics. Italy take the 2010 Identa Cup 1/10/2010Andrea Tabanelli skipped Team Italy to a
6-0 record to win Germany's 2010 Identa Cup. Italy was one of two
Paralympic teams in the seven team field. Jens Jager's Germany finished
4th with a 3-2-1 record. Nova Scotia playdown winner gets the girl 1/7/2010Making wheelchair curling a mixed gender
sport was, according to WCF VP Kate Caithness, a key selling point in
the campaign to join Paralympic Games. Recruiting female curlers,
however, has been a struggle in Canada. Team Saskatchewan selected 1/7/2010The five person team that will represent Sakatchewan at the 2010 National Championship in Kelowna next March has been selected. There is one change from the 2010 team, with Terry Hart replacing Calvin Bird. The team: Del Huber (Regina) Gil Dash (Wolseley) Marie Wright (Moose Jaw) Darwin Bender (Regina) and Terry Hart (Regina). The team will again be coached by Lorraine Arguin (Moose Jaw) assisted by Bob Capp (Regina). Official Team Canada profiles online 1/6/2010Did you know that Darryl Neighbour has 13 siblings? Find out more about the Team Canada members on the Canadian Paralympic Comittee's website. Jim Armstrong - Darryl Neighbour - Ina Forrest - Sonja Gaudet - Bruno Yizek Jim Armstrong interviewed on Shaw TV 1/6/2010Team Canada skip Jim Armstrong gave an interview to an old friend, Fanny Keifer of Vancouver's Studio 4 Shaw Cable broadcast. Sitting in a regular studio chair, he talked about his transition to wheelchair curling, how strategy in the wheelchair game is different from regular curling, and stumbled into describing eligibility for wheelchair curling in terms of what the rules may become next April. You can watch the 14 minute interview HERE 2010 Identa Cup in Schwenningen, Germany January 8-10 1/4/2010Jens Jäger's Team Hunters, who will represent Germany at the Vancouver Paralympics, are hosting the 2010 Identa Cup in Schwenningen, January 8-10. Seven teams will compete, including squads from Switzerland, Italy and the Czech Republic. The draw is HERE. Curl at the Callie 1/4/2010Things may be looking up for wheelchair users in Saskatchewan as I have been contacted twice since Christmas by people involved in promoting the sport. At the moment activity is centred on the Callie CC in Regina and wheelchair users have ice time on Monday afternoons. Darwin Bender and Del Huber of 2009 Team Saskatchewan, who finished a very creditable 4-5 in their first appearance at the Canadian Nationals in 2009, are part of a wheelchair team that plays in an Open League Wednesday evenings. It's a Christmas Quiz! 12/24/2009So how closely do you follow wheelchair
curling, and how closely do you read the blog? No. Ontario skip chosen to carry Olympic torch in Kenora 12/21/2009Wayne Ficek has been given the honour of
representing his home Kenora by carrying the Olympic torch on it's last
leg into Kenora, ON. The rationale behind Team GB's changed delivery zone 12/18/2009The Institute Of Sport, SportScotland's
high performances arm, has published a paper describing why Team Great
Britain throw from 10 or 15 feet further from the near hogline than any
other team. GB finish the year win win at Lausanne Bonspiel 12/16/2009Team Great Britain followed their
appearance in the final of the Kathy Kerr in Ottawa by traveling to
Lausanne, Switzerland the following weekend. Two teams from Great
Britain competed against eight teams from France and Switzerland, with
Manfred Bollinger's Berne team expected to offer the stiffest opposition
to the McCreadie rink. Team GB's Aileen Nielson talks about the team's progress 12/16/2009Though Scottish wheelchair curlers have
struggled in recent years, after a bronze at the 2007 World
Championships failing to bring home major silverware from the past two
World Championships, Aileen Nelson told
Chris Cottrell: Radio-Canada Estrie a visité le Club de Curling de Lennoxville 12/15/2009Radio-Canada Estrie a visité le Club de
Curling de Lennoxville pour en apprendre plus sur le curling en fauteuil
roulant. Mireille Roberge, animatrice de l'émission "Plan de match"
s'est entretenu avec quelques-uns des joueurs en fauteuil roulant de ce
club incluant le 3e joueur de l'équipe du Québec Carl Marquis et le
capitaine Benoit Lessard qui porte toujours une attelle sur la jambe
suite à un grave accident de ski nautique survenu l'été dernier. Fort William CC now has an elevator to the bar 12/15/2009Dave Kawahara and Dave Forester get the
credit for starting the process that raised $370,000 for the elevator
project. Wheelchair user and club member Terry Lynch told
TBNewswatch.com that curling is 10 per cent on the ice and 90 per
cent social. “There are not a lot of curling clubs across the province that are 100 per cent accessible,” said MPP Michael Gravelle told The Chronicle-Journal. “They basically raised the standard of what they can do.” Read the article's by Jeff Labine and Graham Strong on the Grand Opening. Rock & Roll Funspiel January 23rd in Bradford ON 12/15/2009The Bradford CC is teaming up with the Canadian Paraplegic Association to host the Rock & Roll Funspiel on Saturday January 23rd. Bradford is the home club of Team Ontario skip Ken Gregory who told the Bradford Times that he changed venues from Toronto when the club made the ice and washrooms accessible six years ago. The organizers hope the spiel will build interest in curling, and especially in wheelchair curling as an activity for those with spinal cord injuries. "It's one of the few sports that wheelchair and able-bodied can play on equal ground," Gregory says. The goals are to raise funds for the Canadian Paraplegic Association Ontario, but also to raise awareness of the challenges and triumphs of people with spinal cord injuries living in the municipality. You can see the event poster and registration details HERE or register on-line HERE. Jim Armstrong profiled on national TV 12/12/2009Jim Armstrong took part in the opening
ceremonies of the Tim Horton's Road To The Roar Olympic Trials in
Edmonton, along with many familiar faces pictured above.
Visit the blog to see a photo. How many faces do you recognise? Russ Peake and Monique LaCoste to call Vancouver Games 12/9/2009Alberta Sport Hall of Fame announcer Calgarian Russ Peake will join Winnipeg's Monique LaCoste as the commentators for wheelchair curling at the 2010 Paralympic Games. Jacqui Kapinowski completes 52nd marathon 12/9/2009Team USA lead Jacqui Kapinowski completed
her 52nd marathon this past weekend in Palm Beaches, Florida. The next
day she flew to Utah to try for a spot on the archery team for the 2012
Paralympic Summer Games. Armstrong - "Too soon for Paralympic trials" 12/7/2009Jim Armstrong participated in the opening ceremonies at the Olympic Trials in Edmonton Sunday, one of four holding brooms for ceremonial first rocks. Sun Media's CON GRIWKOWSKY Con Griwkowsky took the opportunity to profile him. Even though Armstrong found the idea
of holding an Olympic wheelchair qualifier at the same time as a
Canadian curling trials compelling, he figured it might be an idea best
saved for sometime in the future. Fortunately we have four years to argue the case and justify a Paralympic Trials. Get a (better) grip, says coach Ernie Comerford 12/4/2009Coach Ernie Comerford (London Ontario) has some suggestions for possible delivery stick handle improvements. "I have been experimenting with additions to some delivery sticks with handles from garden tools to see if this might help the thrower throw more easily and be more consistently accurate. Feel free to improve on these ideas." To see what Ernie is suggesting, with photos, see the blog. Communication key to USA success says coach Brown 12/4/2009Team USA coach Steve Brown told Universal Sports reporter Josh George that involving all the team members in the game will help skip Augusto 'Goose' Perez and improve the team. “When you can get four people, four sets of eyes (assessing the situation), you’ll be a lot stronger than one,” Brown said during a phone interview. "Goose knows the strategy comparable to the top teams, but he is still going to make mistakes sometimes,” said Brown. “But if you have that extra set of eyes, instead of making a call that is almost guaranteed to backfire, you have someone making you take that second look.” Vice-skip Jim Pierce commented after the US Open, "We did gain some ground in communication, which is a huge thing....Everybody has to stay in the game, you can’t just shoot your two shots and be done.” Read what you will between the lines here, but having met the team and seen them play, I know Goose is a forceful personality who relishes the big occasion and the opportunity to make the spectacular shot. If he is able to draw on the insights of the quieter members of his team, the game calling may become less adventurous, but USA's medal prospects may improve. End the WCF ban on power wheelchairs now! 12/3/2009The World Curling Federation, at its
semi-annual meeting taking place in Aberdeen this month during the
European Championships (regular curling) has two items on the agenda
directly affecting wheelchair curlers. Jim Armstrong to be a special guest at Olympic Trials 12/3/2009Jim Armstrong will be one of the special
guests at the Opening Ceremonies at the Tim Horton's Roar Of The Rings
in Edmonton. USA beat Great Britain in Cathy Kerr final 11/29/2009Teams had
an early start Sunday morning as the semi-finals of the the Annual Cathy
Kerr Memorial Spiel began at 8.30am at Ottawa's RA Club. Swiss overwhelm Norway to win Czech Open - Canada 3rd 11/29/2009Switzerland beat a full strength Canada
8-4 in the semi-final of the Czech Open in Prague today. They opened
with a single point, scored facing four Canadian stones, then gave up 3
in the second. The game turned in the 3rd when Switzerland scored 5, and
Canada were unable to recover, giving up a steal of 1 in the 4th to be
down 7-3 at the break. Canada did have a chance for 3 in the 6th, but
only scored 1 and the teams shook hands with Canada run out of rocks in
the 7th. GB, USA, Manitoba and Gregory in Cathy Kerr semis 11/28/2009The four most experienced teams won
through to Sunday's semi-finals at the 5th Annual Cathy Kerr Memorial
Spiel in Ottawa. Unranked Finland upset Canada, Canada & Norway top pools 11/28/2009Canada were upset by Finland, a team that
have never appeared in a World Championship, in the morning draw of the
second day of the Czech Open in Prague. Meanwhile Great Britain and USA play in Ottawa 11/27/2009Bruce Cameron and the Capital Wheelchair
Curling Club have assembled the largest competitive field outside of a
national championships for the 5th Annual Cathy Kerr Memorial Spiel at
the RA Curling Club in Ottawa this weekend. It's deja vu all over again for Canada/Sweden at Czech Open 11/27/2009The opening draw of the 2009 Czech Open
in Prague matched the 2009 Worlds finalists and Canada again scored 9 to
win. Canada went out to an early 6-0 lead, taking 2 with the hammer and
stealing 3 and 1 before Sweden got on the board with 2 before the
half-time break. Crapaud CC in P.E.I. to host Wheelchair Curling Workshops 11/25/2009The PEI Curling Association is looking to
expand its programs this season by attracting those who are either
vision impaired, or use a wheelchair. CLICK HERE for a link to the event poster "I'll personally be disappointed without gold" - Jim Armstrong 11/25/2009Canada skip Jim Armstrong is one of five Olympians and Paralympians Canada.com's North Shore News selects as "athletes you should know" in the run-up to the Games. "We'll be disappointed if we aren't on the podium," Armstrong says. "I personally will be disappointed without gold." [read more] 10 team field at 5th Annual Cathy Kerr Memorial in Ottawa 11/24/2009The 5th Annual Cathy Kerr Memorial
Bonspiel will be held at the RA Curling Club in Ottawa this weekend,
November 27 -29. Canada leave for Prague 11/23/2009Canada fly out to Prague tomorrow
(Tuesday November 24th) for the 4th Open Czech Wheelchair Curling
Tournament 2009. It is an eight team field, with two pools for round
robin play beginning Friday with a final on Sunday November 29th. Vancouver CC hosts Canada/Japan exhibition 11/23/2009Team Canada skip Jim Armstrong returned
to the club displaying many of his achievements as an able-bodied
curler, in an exhibition match against Paralympic contenders Japan. USA 1 beat Ottawa at 2009 US Open in repeat of 2008 final 11/22/2009Team USA faced last last year's finalists
Team Cameron from Ottawa in the 2009 US Open final at the Utica CC in
New York. Skip Goose Perez executed a perfect hit and roll to the button
with the last rock of the 8th end for a single point and a 5-4 win. Fairness demands two-tier participation - Michael McCreadie 11/21/2009Team Great Britain skip Michael McCreadie
is one of the world's most experienced wheelchair curlers, with decades
of participation in other wheelchair sports. He feels that the time has
come for the introduction of a two-tier classification that will force
inclusion of more severely disabled wheelchair users onto teams
competing under WCF rules. USA I beat both Canadian visitors on Day 1 of US Open 11/21/2009USA I beat visiting Team Cameron 8-4 and Team Gregory 10-6 on the first day of the US Open in Utica, NY. Ken Gregory's Bradford ON team posted the one Canadian victory, a 9-4 win over USA II. In the remaining match USA II beat Ottawan Bruce Cameron's side 5-3. The four teams are playing a double round robin with a final Sunday November 22nd. US Open begins at the Utica CC November 20 11/19/2009Just four teams will be competing at the
US Open this weekend at the Utica CC in upstate New York. Manitobans form their own Association 11/19/2009Wheelchair users in Manitoba will now be
represented by their own MCA affiliated Manitoba Wheelchair Curling
Association. Newly elected President Richard Dudek explains: Golden Ears Club hosts mixed stick spiel 11/15/2009The 3rd annual '2 on 2' Golden Stick Open Bonspiel was held at the Golden Ears Winter Club in Maple Ridge BC this weekend. 18 teams took part, including 6 wheelchair pairs. The winner was Tim Gabert and partner, seen with Jim and Darryl, and Rich Green and Gary Cormack in the photos above. Sweden take 2009 Rolli Trophy 11/15/2009Tomas Nordin coached
Sweden beat Norway 8-2 in the final draw of the 2009 Rolli Trophy,
stealing seven points in four consecutive ends and finishing top of the
table with an unbeaten record. Sweden beat GB, remain unbeaten at Rolli Trophy Day 2 11/14/2009Sweden (4-0-1) are the only unbeaten team
after 5 draws at the end of the second day of play for the Rolli Trophy
in Bern, Switzerland. Bob Weeks profiles Jim Armstrong 11/13/2009Noted curling author Bob Weeks has a
profile of Jim Armstrong in the
Globe and Mail. It
rehashes the same information that has been appearing in the mainstream
media for several months now. GB 3-0 on first day of Rolli Trophy 11/13/2009Michael McCreadie's Great Britain are the only team with 3 wins after the first day of the Rolli Trophy in Bern, Switzerland. Sweden tied with Norway and sit 2-0-1 while Bern I is 2-1. Germany, perhaps struggling to regroup after the excitement of their Berlin Awards ceremony, are 0-3. RESULTS HERE "We're technically more advanced," says Canada lead 11/13/2009"Our technical ability is quite advance compared to other teams,” Canada lead Sonja Gaudet told her home town newspaper The Vernon Morning Star. [read article] Jens Jäger's Team Germany win national award 11/13/2009Germany's wheelchair curling team skipped by Jens Jäger was presented with the National Paralympic Team of the Year award in Berlin, beating out teams competing in basketball and volleyball. Germany won bronze at the 2009 Worlds, beating USA with a last stone redirection that, if you haven't already seen, is worth a view. Christine Steger has replaced Astrid Hoer on the team that will compete in Vancouver in 2010. Origins of wheelchair curling reported in Vancouver Sun 11/12/2009Lyndon Little, writing in the Vancouver Sun, has an informative overview of the origins and the implementation of wheelchair curling, without mentioning that it is a sport for people requiring use of a wheelchair for their daily mobility. You can read it HERE. 2-on-2 bonspiel at Golden Ears CC (BC) Nov 14-15 11/12/2009Twenty teams have registered for the stick bonspiel being held at the Golden Ears Winter Club in Maple Ridge, BC, this weekend. There will be three Korean teams playing as well as Jim Armstrong and Darryl Neighbour from Team Canada and several other local wheelchair curlers. Matches are 6 ends, with 6 rocks per end. All participants must use delivery sticks. Sweeping is allowed in front of the hogline. First draw is at 9qm Saturday and games continue through midday Sunday. Jim Armstrong talks injuries, team spirit and game calling 11/12/2009"The shoulder's improving; slowly, but improving," Jim Armstrong told me this morning. "There was no question that it had to be repaired, and I was told that the rehab would take four to six months, but I didn't really buy into that. Now I am having to learn patience. We had a physio with us on our last trip and that helped and I am also doing the rehab exercises. I can push the chair. I just don't go up hills on my own. But everyone around me is being very supportive and my throwing shoulder is fine. "This team is a great group. No egos, everyone working hard and willing to learn. I've told them that I wouldn't trade any one of them for anyone that I have seen play. Bruno stepped up in Richmond when Darryl was sick, and played really well. He had a chance in Europe to play a couple of games away from home, get over the nerves that come with playing for Canada. He was ready to step in when we needed him in Richmond. It's tough being a fifth. You have to be prepared without being anxious that you're not on the ice. "I'm still adapting the way I call the game. The whole premise of calling without sweepers is very different. For a shot that you'd give a foot of ice for with competent sweeping, you might need two feet without that help, and then you probably add six inches because you don't want to risk scraping a guard. And that's if the throw's are accurate. "I believe that wheelchair curling is a hitting game and will become even more so. When people tell me it's a tap-back game I say maybe, but only on straight ice and I haven't seen any of that. Some teams will attempt to play in the centre to even the odds, and take their chances. Korea can certainly hit and I was impressed by their technique. They'll be strong challengers in Vancouver. They just lack experience. As I tell Darryl, if there was an experience tablet you could take I'd have prescribed it already. I'm still on my own learning curve, keeping the game plan simple. When you put down the broom, and the rock's on the way, there's no help." 8 teams contest 2009 Rolli Trophy in Bern, Switzerland 11/11/2009The 2009 Rolli Trophy begins Friday, November 13 and features teams from Great Britain, Germany, Sweden and Norway as well as four domestic Swiss teams. Manfred Bollinger, who is expected to skip Switzerland's Paralympic team, will skip the Bern I side. Results should be available HERE. Norway won last year's tournament, beating Bern II, with Scotland finishing third. Canada's next game is an exhibition against Japan in Vancouver November 23rd, prior to flying to Prague for the 4th Annual Czech Open at the end of the month. Canada take $1,000 for Richmond win 11/7/2009The three most experienced teams, the
only teams that had previously played together, shared the $2,000 purse
on the final day of the Richmond International. Canada cruise to final of Richmond International 11/6/2009Team Canada gave up a steal in the first end of the morning draw against Chris Daw's team, but then posted a series of big ends to come away 16-4 winners and finish the round robin 5-0. Darryl Neighbour sat out the game, still unwell after his flu shot. Bruno Yozek played 3rd. Korea finished with an 8-4 win over the Richmond hosts to claim second place at 4-1. Alberta beat BC 8-5. In the afternoon Page playoff, Canada held Korea to a single point, running out 10-1 wins and claiming the place in tomorrow afternoon's final. Third place Alberta beat Richmond 9-4 and face Korea in the morning semi-final. Teams have pocketed $50 for each win, and $2,000 is at stake tomorrow. Vernon BC, Sonja Gaudet's home town, gets Games spirit 11/5/2009Vernon's Davidson Orchard has a photo-board up celebrating the spirit of thr Winter Games. Vernon is the home of Team Canada lead Sonja Gaudet, and Team Canada 2nd Ina Forrest lives just up the road in Armstrong. (see blog for photo) Columbus (Ohio) CC inviting wheelchair users to curl 11/5/2009ThisWeek reporter Kevin Parks describes how the Columbus CC is hoping to attract wheelchair users and volunteers in football obsessed Ohio to come and try wheelchair curling at their two year old facility in the Clintonville area. Club committee member Steve Shaffer wonders if someone attending the clinic might wind up representing Columbus as a member of the 2014 USA Paralympic Wheelchair Curling Team. "I'd love to see, as a start, just some participants," said Shaffer, who also is chairman of the club's building facilities and maintenance committee. "To have a team, that would be great." Experience in Canada tells us that it takes that one person detremined to make it happen, for a program to succeed. The give-it-a-go session will be held between 11 - 3pm on Saturday Novemver 14 and they hope to have members of the 2010 USA team present. Contact the club for more information. Team Canada Joe Rea receives award 11/5/2009Prince George's Joe Rea was one of a dozen BC coaches to receive a 2009 Petro-Canada Coaching Excellence Award, a prestigious award that recognizes coaches whose athletes achieved international success during the past year at open World Championships and the Special Olympics World Winter Games. Rea, who coached Canada to an inaugural gold medal at the Torino Paralympics, won his first World Championship in 2009 in Vancouver. (islandsportsnews.net) Canada unbeaten after 4 draws, but Korea hang tough 11/5/2009Canada swept to another blowout score in a 16-3 win over hosts Richmond in the morning draw. Darryl Neighbour, unwell with a bad reaction to a flu shot, sat out the game and Bruno Yizek played 3rd. Alberta posted their first win, 10-0 over a Chris Daw-less CGVC Avengers team. Korea beat BC 8-7, their third win and the third time they have split the ends with their opponents. The marquee matchup came in Draw 4 with Canada edging Korea 6-5, taking a sngle with hammer in the 8th to win. CAN 1 0 1
1 0 2 0 1 - 6 Richmond beat Alberta 5-3 and BC beat the Avengers 10-4 in seven ends to round out the second day's play. Friday's games Canada overwhelm opposition - Day 1 Richmond International 11/4/2009The Richmond Centre For Disability sponsored event began with piper Jamie Thompson leading out the teams and acting Mayor Linda Barnes throwing the ceremonial first rock. Then things got serious as Canada faced Alberta in the opening draw and crushed last year's winners 11-1 in just 6 of the scheduled 8 ends. Canada played alternate Bruno Yizek at lead in place of Sonja Gaudet who did not play in the morning draw. Alberta, without Bruno at 3rd, fielded the same team of Jack Smart, Anne Hibberd, Martin Purvis and Bridget Wilson that won silver at the 2009 Nationals. Korea began against the CGVC Avengers, skipped by Chris Daw, with Gary Cormack, Vince Miele and Corrine Jensen. It was a tight game with each team winning 4 ends. Korea fell behind early but ran out 8-6 winners with a steal of one in the 8th. The third morning game saw the Richmond host team of Rich Green, Jackie Roy, Tom Parker and Samantha Siu beat the BC Team 9-7 in an extra end. The BC team is skipped by Bob Macdonald, with Jim Miller and the alternates from Team Canada and Team Korea. In the afternoon, Canada beat BC 12 - 1, Korea again shared the ends but came out 7-5 victors over Alberta, and the Avengers doubled up Richmond 12 - 6. The format is a 5 draw round robin and page playoff, with draws at 9.30 and 1.30. The semi-final and final are this Saturday, November 7th. Thursday
matchups Friday Six team field at Richmond spiel 11/3/2009There will be a six team field at the Richmond International, with Team Canada, Korea, Alberta, Richmond hosts, Team Daw and a team of alternates. Reduced funding this year reduced the number of teams competing but there will be some fascinating match-ups. "Korea are technically awesome," Jim Armstrong tells me, "and Alberta look very confident." Chris Daw returns to the ice with Torino teammate Gary Cormack, and Vince Miele and the Island's Corrine Jensen. The Richmond Disability Centre's team has Rich Green, Jackie Roy, Tom Parker and Samantha Siu. Bruno will probably play lead for Team Canada in the first game against Alberta. 7th Annual Pat 'O' Reid Memorial Mixed Bonspiel Nov 8 11/3/2009The Toronto Cricket & Curling Club is hosting this Open format event at whiich wheelchair users can either play together or with regular curlers. The first games start at 10.30 with a dinner set for 5pm. Richmond International begins Nov 4 - plus other BC news 11/1/2009Richmond CC hosts Team Canada, Team Korea and Team Alberta as well as local teams in their 3rd Wheelchair International November 4-7th. Korea shocked everyone with their power-hitting style of play a the 2008 World Championships, where the finished 2nd to Norway. They failed to reproduce that form at the 2009 Worlds; a fact that their coach put down to general indiscipline in what was essentially a club side. It will be interesting to see whether they have regained their focus, and the ability to throw accurate 8 second takeouts. Chris Daw is blogging about life as a new BC resident, and managing the Vancouver CC, a post that will become even more challenging post-2010 when the club moves into the adjacent Olympic curling facility. You can read his blog HERE. The Vancouver CC are hosting a Canada versus Japan exhibition game November 23 at 1 pm. That may be west coast supporters' last chance to see Team Canada play before the Paralympics. Maple Ridge's Golden Ears CC featured Ken and Keris, two wheelchair users on their home page. reminding their membership that wheelchair curlers integrate well into the regular game. The club had scheduled a 2 on 2 event November 14-15 with Korea and also Canada's Armstrong and Neighbour expected to take part. It's not on their calendar, so contact the club for details. Kelowna CC's planning for the 2010 Nationals is getting underway, headed by Gerry Austgarden and Donna Stuike. They'll be looking for plenty of volunteers. Contact the club if you'd like to help. The re-modeled and newly accessible club lounge and bar is spacious with lots of excellent viewing areas, so plan ahead for a March visit. Vanoc's 2010 website showing wheelchair curling video 11/1/2009Vanoc are streaming a video titled "Wheelchair Curling with the Experts" as part of their campaign to familiarise the general public with the sports that will be part of the Vancouver Olympics and Paralympics. Members of the Team Canada squad that won he 2009 Worlds, talk about their sport. View the video HERE Killin and Brown take GB National Pairs title at Braehead 11/1/2009Nineteen teams turned out for the 2009 Star Refrigeration National Pairs Championship at Braehead, Scotland, this weekend. GB Paralympian Tom Killin partnered with James Brown to defeat Paralympic teammate Michael McCreadie and Russell Shanks 6-3 in the final. Full results are HERE and you can see lots of photos from the event at Bob Cowan's Skip Cottage Curling Blog. In Pairs play you rely on your opposition to brace your chair during delivery. It's worth noting that although all the members of the GB Paralympic squad played, they each paired with a less experienced curler. More Kinross plus (blog) photos and another Goose miracle 10/23/2009You can read the official report from the Kinross International HERE and see team photos of the medalists on the blog. The report describes, in a tone of wonder, Team USA skip 'Goose' Perez's shot that snatched bronze from Switzerland. Canadian supporters may remember he executed a similarly spectacular shot to beat Canada at the 2009 Worlds. Canada (4-1) take 2nd Annual Kinross International 10/22/2009Team Canada recovered from a final round robin draw 1-4 defeat by Switzerland to take the 2nd Annual Kinross International. Their second place in Pool A led to a 4-2 semi-final win over USA. They then faced Germany who beat Switzerland 7-4 in the other semi-final. In the final Canada beat Germany 5-2 and USA took bronze with a 5-3 win over Switzerland. Great Britain, winners last weekend in Norway, lost to both USA and Germany and failed to reach the playoffs. For full results CLICK HERE. Team Russia looking for Canadian competition 10/21/2009Team Russia, who will be hosts at the 2014 Winter Paralympics, are prepared to travel to gain the necefssary experience to succeed at the 2010 World Qualifying Tournament. Late-comers to a international competition selection system that rewards longevity, Russia won the season opening Internation Bonspiel in Denmark, and impressed Norway's coach Per Christesen enough for him to comment that they were likely favourites for qualification to the 2011 Worlds next year. The team is hoping to visit Canada prior to the Olympics and is looking for opportunities for competitive play. News from Quebec 10/21/2009Quebec's Lennoxville CC, who made great strides in producing a competitive team by recruiting established athletes from opther sporting disciplines, suffered a severe blow when their skip, Ben Lessard, suffered a serious accident while competing at water-skiing in France. Despite that setback they will have two teams on the ice for the club's season opening bonspiel this evening. Lennoxville is hosting an Open House on Sunday October 25th and have invited three Quebec City coaches to observe, as well as Quebec Provincial Coach Alan Smith who may film the curler's deliveries. There will also be a clinic the weekend of October 31 - November 1st and the club will be sending at least one team to the Cathy Kerr Spiel in Ottawa at the end of November. Wheelchair curling begins at The Peak 10/21/2009The Peak Ice Centre in the Stirling (Scotland) Sports Village is starting their wheelchair curling program Thursday October 22nd on their 6-sheet rink. USA curlers part of pre-Olympic celebration 10/21/2009Augusto Perez, James Joseph and Jackie Kapinowski will be part of the United States Olympic Committee's Olympic Winter Festival on Nov. 4 at New York's Rockefeller Center. They will also appear on NBC's "The Today Show" to mark the 100-day countdown to the opening ceremony of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Canada 2-0 after Day 1 of Kinross International 10/21/2009Canada won against Scotland (7-0) and Norway (7-4) on the opening day of the Kinross International. "We played well and were pretty much in control of both games," said Jim Armstrong. "Last year they had shaved the rocks, and there was a huge amount of late swing, but this year it's a great surface and the rocks have had a year to bed in, so we're getting a very manageable 2-3 feet of swing on draws. "Great Britain struggled a bit today but they are throwing with a lot more confidence than at the Worlds. I think they have been practicing all summer and it shows. Sweden are also playing exceptionally well under Tomas Nordin, and i have been impressed with Norway's new coach, Per Christensen. Canada have a big target on our backs, and that's all good. "At the moment we are thinking that we will keep our front end and our back end together, so Bruno will fill in for anyone unable to play, rather than reconfigure the whole team. Darryl will sit out our final round robin game against Switzerland to give Bruno some ice time." Event results are slowly appearing HERE Norway experience frustrating, disappointing - Armstrong 10/20/2009Jim Armstrong skipped and threw 4th stones throughout the recent Norwegian Open, and told me this evening that the spiel was a frustrating experience. "There was a last minute change of venue which meant we had a four hour bus ride each day. Then our two losses were directly influenced by the time keeping. We were two up against USA after 6 ends, when the bell rang; but we played the 7th end and gave up 3. Then against Scotland, we were one down after 5 ends when the bell rang, but though we began the 6th with the hammer, we were told to come off the ice. Two games, two different rules." Armstrong, who sounded quite weary over the phone, said that he would probably sit out at least one of their 3 round robin matches in Kinross. Nine teams are competing over three days, with the semi-final and final set for Thursday. UPDATE - And it's on to Kinross, Scotland, October 20-22 10/20/2009The 2nd Kinross International begins today with nine teams in two pools. Canada, Switzerland, Norway and Scotland 1 in pool A. USA, Germany, GB and Scotland 2 and 3 in Pool B. Click link for the event schedule DOC or PDF. Results will hopefully follow. Games are scheduled for 8 ends, but will finish at the end completed at or after the bell. Great Britain are coming off a convincing win in Oslo where they went undefeated to pull away from a strong international field. They have persevered with their near t-line delivery, and that additional width may have made a difference on European ice that is generally a lot straighter than the 4-6 feet of movement expected in Vancouver. Great Britain undefeated to take Norwegian Open 10/18/2009Great Britain went 6-0, including a last draw 6-5 win over Canada, to take the 2009 Norwegian Open. Canada (4-2) placed second. Three draws were squeezed into the final day, so Sunday's games were limited to 5 ends. Final table Norwegian Open changes format - Day 2 results 10/17/2009The ambitious proposed 6 game round robin plus playoffs format for the 2009 Norwegian Open was changed to a two games per day round robin, with final standings decided on points. Though the event is being held at the club managed by Dordi Nordby, it is still being organized by the Halden CC. After two days play, Great Britain are undefeated at 3-0, and Canada are equal on points but with a record of 3-1 after losing 6-7 to USA. Results can be viewed here, and hopefully line-scores will be added here. No word on Team Canada line-ups. Dordi Nordby the new host of Norwegian Open 10/16/2009The fire marshals shut down the brand new Halden Curling Centre last Monday, necessitating a change of venue for the 3-day Norwegian Open that began today. The event was moved a two hour drive from the hotel away to the Snarøya CC in Oslo, home of Dordi Nordby. Canada was scheduled to play Scotland, USA and one of the Norway teams today but results are not yet available. I did however have the opportunity to speak with Thoralf Hognestad, who coached Team Norway for three years and a double World Championship before handing over to Per Christensen this summer. Thoralf has long argued that Norway's success was down to their understanding of the different demands of the wheelchair game. (He put their struggles at the 2009 Worlds down to lack of ice for training, though they did beat Canada.) He feels the team that will win in Vancouver next March will be the team with the highest percentage on takeouts. "It's a hitting game, especially on European straight ice," he said. "It's harder to hit on Canadian ice that swings 6 feet, but I think the team with the best hitting game will win." Does Norway have that potential? "They have the potential," he said, "but it is open. Canada won last March because of Jim Armstrong's ability at skip. He understood a lot more about the wheelchair game than when we first played him in Europe." Hognestad was dubious of Korea's chances, though they bring with them a reputation as a big-hitting team. "They were a little fortunate to reach the final in 2008," he said, "and I don't think they have improved much over the last few years. Korea and China both play a draw, draw, draw and wait and see what happens style, and I don't think that will be enough to win. Canada has a big advantage at skip but I think the Paralympic competition is open." I hope to have news and results from Oslo later this weekend. Wheelchair curling in BC is expanding 10/15/2009Terrace CC is the latest BC club to welcome wheelchair users. Canadian champions Frank LaBounty and Whitney Warren were at the club last week to assist with a give-it-a-go session. Read the Terrace Standard's article for more information. Elsewhere, the Nanaimo CC is installing an elevator to allow wheelchair users full use of their facility, including the bar. Wheelchair curling will commence on completion of the project, anticipated to be the end of November. Let's go sturling 10/15/2009There's a move to widen the appeal of 2-on-2 curling by removing the requirement to use sticks. What a obvious and wonderful idea! The 2-on-2 format has just as much appeal to curlers able to use a slide delivery as those forced to use a stick, and fears that stick users would be unable to compete with sliders have been shown to be unwarranted. Sticks have been banned from major competitions as they (may) offer competitive advantage. 2-on-2 curling addresses many of the objections voiced by newcomers to wheelchair curling: too much dead time and not enough to do. Removing the insistence on sticks opens the game and will mean more opportunities for wheelchair users to compete. Visit sturling.net for more information. Norwegian Open begins October 16 at Halden Curling Ctr. 10/15/2009The Halden Curling Centre is hosting the 2009 Norwegian Open October 16-18. Canada, Great Britain, Scotland, Sweden, USA and a two-team split Norwegian squad are competing. As Team Canada left for their tour, which includes the Kinross Invitational October 20-22, it was unclear how much throwing injured skip Jim Armstrong would be able to manage, though his presence with the team, after being unable to attend any of the pre-season training camps, will bring off-ice benefits that warrant him making the trip. He needs to reconnect with the team, see how they are playing and also see teams he will have to beat next March. It is difficult o imagine that Armstrong won't skip at the Paralympics, but it is feasible he may not throw last rocks. If that happens, roles that appeared established, may have to change. For example, and this is pure speculation, if Jim threw lead, would Sonja play 2nd, or would Bruno or would Ina stay put? What would your Team Canada line-up be placing Jim at skip throwing lead stones, and why? Comments are open. Team Germany set for 2010 10/9/2009The German Paralympic team makes just one change from the five that led after the round robin and then snatched bronze with the tournament's miracle shot at the 2009 Worlds (view HERE). Jens Jäger skips, with Marcus Sieger at 3rd, Jens Gäbel at 2nd and Caren Totzauer at lead. All are from the Schwenningen Curling Club. Christiane Steger from the Füssen Curling Club replaces Astrid Hoer who ha stopped curling because of health reasons. The team's next competition will be Kinross, October 20-22. Jens Jäger has his own website (in German) which reflects the spirit and energy he and the team's supporters brought to the empty bleachers at the 2009 Worlds, though their lusty renditions of the team's song may be harder to hear this coming March. CCA announces 2010 team and Bob Weeks tells a story 10/8/2009The CCA has finally officially announced Canada's 2010 Paralympics team, fortunately unchanged from our earlier post. CEO Greg Stremlaw sends his personal congratulations to the team and Team Leader Wendy Morgan says: "This has been a three-year journey in a comprehensive selection process. It has been a difficult process at times, as it is not exclusively a skill-based decision but encompasses team dynamics, peer assessment, performance in competition and positional aptitude." Which is a tacit acknowledgement that
however diligently statistics are compiled, and they were, in the end
selection is made on the coach's and in Canada's (special) case the
skip's gut feelings about which combination of individuals are most
likely to produce a gold medal. Armstrong back on the ice 10/5/2009Team Canada skip Jim Armstrong is getting back on the ice as he rehabs the surgically repaired shoulder that was further stressed in a car crash. "The accident probably set me back a couple of weeks physically, though of course there has been a lot of family stuff as well. "We had a wonderful celebration of (late wife) Carleen's life ten days ago," he told me this morning just before leaving for practice at the Richmond CC. "And yesterday 106 people were part of Team Momma Armstrong at the CIBC Run For The Cure. It took several of them, but they pushed me round the whole course. "Now I am doing lots of physio to get the shoulder fit, and beginning to throw some stones. I'm thankful to have wheelchair curling to concentrate on after all that has happened this summer. "I'll be traveling with the team to Norway and Scotland, probably to provide some comic relief. Everyone has been very supportive and understanding that I haven't been able to participate very often in the training camps. I am really impressed with how the team has come together. If you had asked me a year ago whether a selected team could work together as well as this one does, I would have been skeptical. But I think our team spirit will be one of our advantages next March." Asked his reaction to Sweden's coach Tomas Nordin's initial impression that the wheelchair game was very similar to regular curling, Armstrong said: "Tomas is a great curler and very experienced and will do well. But my understanding of the wheelchair game has been a lengthy learning curve and it takes time to appreciate the nuances. Not having the big weight to clean up trouble has to be taken into account, although I suspect that in the future the top teams will develop the ability to throw the 7 or 8 second takeout accurately." Team Canada will be competing in Norway's Halden International October 16-18 and then Scotland's Kinross International October 20-22. McCreadie skips GB 2010 team to British Open win 10/4/2009Michael McCreadie, with 2010 Parlympian team mates Aileen Nielson, Tom Killin and Angie Malone lifted the Caithness Cup at this weekend's British Open, defeating the all-male team of Jim Taylor, Bill Masterton, Jim Elliott and Ian Donaldson 5-3. The McCreadie team fought off opponents
seeking to avenge a 17-1 round robin drubbing in what GB coach described
as a high class final. "They had to pull out all the stops and
manufacture some excellent shots right from the first end where they
developed a two with the hammer after being under pressure from the off.
From there they tried to keep the game tidy and force the Taylor team
away from their aggressive style of play." Bob Cowan's photos can be seen HERE. Second West Coast venue for USA curlers 10/3/2009The Evergreen CC in Portland OR last weekend hosted a wheelchair curling tryout. The session was run by Team USA member Patrick McDonald supported by BC national gold medalist Vince Miele. Click HERE and HERE for photographer Matthew Ginn's images from the event. Scots building skills and interest by challenging regular curlers 10/2/2009Bob Cowan photographed four members of
the Great Britain Paralympic team competing at the Dewar's Rink in the
Wednesday Perth Super League. It's an excellent opportunity to practice
the game calling skills they'll need to beat Jim Armstrong's Team
Canada. At the beginning of September Scot Jim
Taylor challenged World Champion David Murdoch to a game at Stirling to
raise funds for the Marie Curie Big Build Hospice Appeal. The event was
organised by Give Them a Sporting Chance, which is a registered charity
giving carers and those with disabilities, of all ages, the opportunity
to make their sporting or recreational dreams come true. The bonus from Logan Gray: "Immediately after this event, there was an Active Stirling Come and Try opportunity for wheelchair curlers at The Peak. Four new wheelchair curlers turned up and thoroughly enjoyed learning the basics of curling and have come back for follow up coaching sessions. Wheelchair curling is a growing network with clubs being started all over Scotland and plans are now in place for Stirling to become a new centre for wheelchair curlers to take to the ice." (Thanks Bob Cowan) For more information on wheelchair curling, please contact Logan Gray at Active Stirling on 01786 432323. 9 teams competing for British Open title at Kinross Oct 2-4 10/2/2009Nine teams are competing at the Kinross Ice Rink this weekend for the British Open title. A two pool round robin will conclude with a semi-final and final on Sunday. Click here for the draw. Welsh ambitions stymied for lack of a female 10/2/2009The North Wales Pioneer reports that the Welsh wheelchair curling program's ambitions to compete in the upcoming British Open and international events have come to an abrupt halt with the unavailability of their lone female curler. The
Deeside Ice Rink based program began six years ago. Team member
Peter Knapper explained: “We’d be going to the British open as well as
world championship qualifiers – these could be in Prague, Vancouver,
they could be anywhere. The team is specifically looking for
female members but anyone interested in trying it out should contact
team coach John Stone on 01244 810673 or team member Allan Young on
07516479053. Read more on the Welsh wheelchair curling program HERE Lack of female participants is one of the reasons competitive wheelchair curling has struggled to establish itself as a winter recreation. National championships and international events are run under WCF rules that mandate mixed gender teams, despite far fewer than 25% of active wheelchair users being female. Sonja Gaudet styles the new HBC Paralympics clothing 10/2/2009Team Canada lead Sonja Gaudet was part of yesterday's launch of the Hudson Bay Company's line of Olympic and Paralympic clothing. Each team member will receive 28 items as part of their 2010 uniform, including leisure wear, jackets, pants, parkas and luggage. Visit the blog for a photo. (Thanks TCN) Canada, Korea to play in Richmond BC Nov. 3-7 - slots open 9/29/2009The 3rd Richmond International Cashspiel will take place November 3 - 7 at the Richmond BC curling club. It's an eight team event and so far Team Canada and Team Korea have registered, as have Team Alberta and a host team. Several other teams have expressed interest and the organisers, Richmond Centre for Disability will accept registrations for the four remaining slots on a first come basis. For more information contact Rich Green by email or call 604-232-2404. Canada's 2010 Paralympics team named 9/27/2009Following the squad's third training camp, just concluded in Richmond BC, the players who will represent Canada at the 2010 Paralympics will be Jim Armstrong (skip), Darryl Neighbour (3rd), Ina Forrest (2nd), Sonja Gaudet (lead) who are all from BC and were the on ice players during the final of the 2009 Worlds. The alternate is Bruno Yizek (Alberta). Read a profile of Bruno HERE. Should Ina or Sonja be unable to play
before the team is officially registered in February, they would be
replaced by Jackie Roy. It is unlikely, absent ill-health, that the
alternate will see any playing time. Karen Blachford did not play in
Torino. Call to curl in Calgary AB, Canada's largest wheelchair league 9/26/2009The Calgary Wheelchair Curling
Association is gearing up for another great season of Wheelchair Curling
and inviting all who are interested to come out and give it a try. Jasper Place CC in Edmonton AB now fully accessible 9/26/2009Renovations have now been completed at Jasper Place CC. The club raised $200,000 for the project, adding wheelchair accessible bathrooms and an elevator to the upstairs lounge, and will host the Alberta Wheelchair Curling Championships, February 5-7, 2010
The Edmonton Journal reports
local curler Mike McMullan saying in the short time he has played,
curling has already made a difference in his life. Team Sweden coach Tomas Nordin talks about his new job 9/22/2009The Swedish Curling Association approached Tomas Nordin, a three-time World Champion, to coach their national wheelchair team last May. After meeting with the team, which took silver at the 2009 Worlds, he agreed. Today he shared some of his first impressions of his new sport. Here's what he had to say: "I had been away from curling, even social curling since 2006 after the Torino Olympics. When I was asked to coach the national wheelchair curling team I agreed because I thought my experience might help the team prepare for the Paralympics. "When I played with Peter Lindholm we approached the game seriously. We were an organized and well-prepared team. I hope that I can bring the approach that brought me success in regular curling, into the wheelchair game, both in organization and in understanding tactics. This team will have a game plan that suits the players, and we will play our game. "I think that wheelchair curling shares a great deal with regular curling, and though there will be more misses, hopefully throwing accuracy will improve (to help compensate for the lack of sweeping.) If I thought it was a completely different game I don't think I would have taken the job. "I have only just begun working with the team, and we have few opportunities for competition. I have been trying to find video to watch. There are not many wheelchair curlers in Sweden, and we don't play 4 on 4, even in our national championships because there are not enough players. "We played in Denmark and we will be going to Norway and Prague so we will see Canada play a couple of times before Vancouver. Canada are obviously big favourites for gold, but we will go hoping to win, or at least make the podium." Tomas agreed to another interview later this season, and it will be interesting to see whether or in what way his initial impressions change. Nova Scotia expanding program 9/22/2009Opportunities for wheelchair curlers are growing in Nova Scotia, site of the 2009 National Championships. There is league play on Friday evenings at the Lakeshore CC (contact Laughie Rutt) and starting this season there are plans for 2-on-2 play at the Halifax Curling Club on Sunday afternoons (contact Nancy Beaton). Laughie hopes to expand wheelchair curling to Windsor and Cape Breton, but wherever you live, new curlers are very welcome so make yourself known. Carleen Armstrong passes away 9/17/2009I received the following note from Jim this morning, and am publishing it here as I know many people have had her in their thoughts since word broke about her illness. "It is with our deepest sorrow and regret
that we inform you of Carleen's passing tonight. She fought a courageous
battle against Cancer to the very end. We will miss her dearly. Carleen was a great supporter of wheelchair curling and made an appearance in this short documentary. GB's Angie Malone returns to international competition 9/16/2009British Curling have announced the cut from six to their five person Team Great Britain training squad. Angie Malone replaces Rosemary Lenton, the one change from the team that finished tied for 5th at the 2009 Worlds. Angie played lead on the Torino silver medal team, but had been fighting serious illness in recent years, and missed the 2008 and 2009 Worlds. The Great Britain squad (all Scots): Michael McCreadie, Tom Killin, Angie Malone (all Torino silver medallists) Aileen Neilson and Jim Sellar. This is a very experienced group who have all medalled at World level competition. Derek Brown, the British equivalent to the CCA's Gerry Peckham, said: "The athletes selected today know there is no room for complacency as selection for this squad does not in itself guarantee a place on the Paralympic Team." That selection will be announced at the end of the year. Tom Pendreigh, Head Wheelchair Curling Coach said "The GB squad will undertake an intensive training and competition schedule between now and the final selection date and I am looking forward to leading the squad in their final preparations for Vancouver." Read the full announcement HERE. Disappointing turnout for Olson Ossoyoos 2 on 2 9/14/2009Just seven wheelchair users turned out for the Olson Curling Supply Ososyoos 2 on 2 spiel this weekend, and three of them were from out of province. The team of Darryl Neighbour and Chris Sobkowicz won, but it is a shame that having secured the support of a major curling sponsor, the organizers of the Osoyoos event have been unable to sustain the interest of even local Team Canada members. The poor attendance is a reflection of the parlous state of wheelchair curling in BC. Despite hosting the coach and four out of five of the national team, and taking the last three national titles, success at the top has not trickled down to inspire grassroots interest. In the past CurlBC has not seen it in their interest to encourage competitions outside of their immediate selection control. That appeared to change with last year's provincial playdown, but as things stand now, there is unlikely to be a 2010 playdown, for lack of female competitors. Russia win season's first International 9/14/2009Russia went 4-0 to win the 12 team Danske Internationale Kørestole Curling Cup, the first event of a busy pre-Paralympic international calendar in Taarnby, Denmark. Germany placed second on points with a 3-1 record. Scotland and Sweden were also 3-1 while the Norway I team (they split their squad) were 1-3. Games were played over just 6 ends and full results are HERE. Russia did not qualify for the 2009 Worlds or the 2010 Paralympics, but are assured of a place as hosts of the 2014 Games. The next big international event is at the Halden Curling Centre in Norway, October 16-18. Team Canada selection September 27 9/14/2009Canada's team for the 2010 Vancouver Paralympics will be announced on September 27th at the conclusion of the team's third training camp. Coach Wendy Morgan said that the team will be Jim Armstrong, Darryl Neighbour, Ina Forrest, Sonja Gaudet and one from the three men who have been attending the pre-season training camps: Bruno Yizek, Chris Sobkowicz and Gerry Austgarden. The five selected will travel to Norway and Scotland (see calendar). Jim Armstrong's fitness will be assessed during the camp. "If he is not fit to travel, we will just take four people," she said. "We are not anticipating that Jim will be unable to play in Vancouver, but the Paralympic registration deadline is not until February 25th so we have until then if we have to name a replacement." Canada has committed to having two women in the team, and BC's Jackie Roy has been training with the squad and would step in were Sonja or Ina unavailable. Canada has added a trip to Prague to their preparation schedule which means they will not be attending the Cathy Kerr Memorial Bonspiel in Ottawa. "We decided on Prague because Germany and Sweden and other top international teams will be competing there," Morgan said. "We are still considering several options for competitive play prior to the Paralympics, as well as hoping to get some practice on arena ice." The team will take up residence in the Paralympic Village on March 8, and the wheelchair curling event is scheduled from March 12-20. Jim Armstrong car wreck confuses Team Canada selection 9/13/2009Team Canada skip Jim Armstrong has been involved in an accident that totalled his car. "My car rolled several times," he told me, "and I ended up on my injured shoulder and had to be cut out of the vehicle. I'm at home now and for some reason my shoulder seems to have survived the accident." A few days ago Jim was telling friends that he was going to rent an electric wheelchair so that he could get back out on the ice and rejoin his league team mates. It's not clear how the accident may affect his rotator cuff rehabilitation and availability for Paralympic selection. Of more immediate concern is the health of his wife who has been readmitted to hospital and is very seriously ill. Gerry Peckham. the CCA's High Performance coach, said that while everyone was hoping that Jim would be available, contingency discussions have been taking place. Team Canada pool members had been expecting to know whether they had made the team by the end of the Richmond BC training camp the last weekend in September. "That decision may have to be delayed if Jim's status is unclear," said Peckham. "We have to decide whether we are looking for primarily a shot-maker, or someone who can help with strategy." Asked whether Chris Daw might rejoin the program, Peckham said that if that happened it would not be before 2010. "Chris has taken on a very challenging new job as manager of the curling club that will take over the Olympic curling facility after 2010. He will not be rejoining the team this season." Canada leave for spiels in Norway and Scotland in October (see calendar). 12 team international spiel begins in Denmark 9/11/2009The 3rd Annual Danske Internationale Kørestole Curling Cup 2009 began today at the Taarnby Curling Club. Denmark, Norway and Finland are each fielding two teams and teams from Scotland, Czech Republic, Germany, Sweden, Russia and Switzerland are also competing. The event is being organised by Per Christensen, a Dane who left his national team to take over from Thoralf Hognestad as coach of Norway. You can follow the event by clicking on the competition link of the Taarnby Club's website. Team USA's James 'Jimmy Jam' Joseph profiled 9/11/2009The USOC has an excellent video profile of Team USA 2nd 'Jimmy Jam' Joseph on their TeamUSA.org website. In it he talks about how he became involved in wheelchair curling and how much it means to him to have the honour to play for his country. He's a double amputee and a high energy guy and a great ambassador for the sport. The USA Paralympics website also has a write-up on his career HERE Welcome back, Bob Cowan 9/11/2009When Bob Cowan discontinued his Curling Today blog we lost a reliable source of stories and images of British curling. Happily he is back with a new blog, and I have already begun poaching his photos and will be referencing his reports over the season. Vancouver 2010 - Canada opens with GBR, USA and Norway 9/10/2009Canada will have to avoid a slow start if they hope to medal at the 2010 Paralympics. They open against the only other semi-professional side, Great Britain (players are all Scots) and then take on USA and perennial nemesis Norway. The 10 team field appears to split 1-6-3 with Canada favourites given Jim Armstrong recovers from rotator cuff surgery. Six teams are in with a chance to challenge; Sweden, Germany, USA, Great Britain, Korea and Norway. Under-financed Italy, who faded from fatigue after a late arrival at the 2009 Worlds, inexperienced Japan who did not qualify in 2009, and a fortunate rebuilding Switzerland (silver in 2007) appear likely also-rans. CLICK HERE for full draw (pdf). Scots to continue delivery zone experiment, or not 9/10/2009Many, including Team Canada, were puzzled when the Scots changed their delivery zone from "as close to the hogline as possible" to the near ring t-line. Though throwing from further back increases delivery angles, especially on straight ice, it was a radical change that many outside observers felt was a significant factor in Scotland's fall from their pre-Torino dominance as the World's best team. Skip Michael McCreadie explained at the 2009 Worlds that the move had been fully discussed with the team and that everyone had bought into it. Coach Pendreigh appeared confident that given enough time, throwing closer to the hack would reap rewards in greater flexibility in shot making. It was noticeable, however, that some Scots were returning to the hogline when asked for up-weight hits. If nothing else, changing delivery positions complicated icing decisions for the skip. Today I asked Tom Pendreigh whether his team would continue the experiment as they began the competition year at this weekend's Danish Open. He characterised the change as "a skill learning project" that would continue to be available to the team. He made it clear, though, that delivery position was a decision for the player, taking into account ice condition. Here's his full statement: "The GB Squad embraced a skill learning project over 2 years ago which incorporated the ability to deliver stones from behind the T line. This is an option for any individual to consider whenever ice conditions are favourable, that has not stopped any player making the choice to deliver from anywhere between the T and the hog line as they see fit and we will continue with that theme." It will be interesting to see whether and under what circumstances, Scottish players continue with a t-line delivery. My guess is that this was an idea with a plausible justification, now being sold as a skill-learning exercise, that will be unlikely to reap reward on Vancouver Paralympic ice that's sure to have curl. Armstrong rehab complicated by wife's serious illness 9/01/2009Friends of Team Canada skip Jim Armstrong have known for some time that his wife Carleen has been fighting cancer and is very seriously ill. I have considered this a private family matter and have chosen to make no more than passing reference to Carleen's plight. Today's Vancouver Sun carries a story by Al Cameron, describing in detail with numerous quotes from Jim, what the Armstrongs have been facing since Carleen's diagnosis. There is a legitimate interest in any
issue that might affect Jim's availability for selection, though
personally I am going to leave it at his assurance
to me last week that he will be ready and able to participate come March
2010. Team USA recruiting in California 8/28/2009Steve Brown and Goose Perez, coach and skip of Team USA, will be visiting team member Pat McDonald's home turf when they put on a demonstration and clinic at the Labour Day Crush Bonspiel in Vacaville, California. McDonald is a member of the Wine Country CC who are hosting the international event. Vacaville is close to Berkeley, long a magnet for wheelchair users with its tradition of inclusion and accessibility, and an excellent choice for recruits to what has been a geographically limited American sport. The clinic begins at 3pm on Saturday September 5th at the Vacaville Ice Sports Centre. "I'll be ready for Vancouver 2010," says Jim Armstrong 8/28/2009Team Canada skip Jim Armstrong, after a stay in hospital at UBC undergoing surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff (first reported in TCN) is undergoing what promises to be a lengthy rehab of his non-throwing left shoulder. "It was a more severe injury than anticipated," he told me today, "and I was not able to travel to the camp that began just after I came out of hospital. But I have begun three times a week rehab now, and I'm sure that I will be ready for the Paralympics next March. "Though my return to the ice will be delayed, we have an excellent team, as technically good as any I have seen. And over the past season or two their knowledge and understanding of the game has grown. It's easier to throw well when you not only know how to throw, but also why you are being asked to play a particular shot. "There were some interesting developments at the last Worlds, especially with players getting really low to play up-weight shots. But although some, especially the Koreans, can throw big weight, we have some time before we have to deal with teams throwing multiple 8 second takeouts accurately enough to pose a threat." Team Canada's third training camp will be in BC at the end of September, and they leave for a ten day trip to Norway and Scotland on October 13. Other events on the competition schedule are the Richmond Invitational November 3-7 in BC and the Cathy Kerr in Ontario, November 26-29. Tomas Nordin, 3-time World Champion, to coach Team Sweden 8/21/2009Team Sweden, silver medallists at the 2009 Worlds, have a new coach, Tomas Nordin, who played in five World finals, winning 3 times at 3rd for Peja Lindholm. "It's interesting to enter a new role, and take on a new challenge," said Tomas. "I know regular curling, and think I have things to add also to wheelchair curling." Hans Säfström, head of sports at the Swedish Handicap Sport Association, added: "It's exciting to work across borders; when a excellent able-bodied player steps into the role of coach, we are taking a step into something new." Jalle Jungnel, long time Swedish skip, who won bronze in Torino, took a year off and then resuscitated the Swedish program through qualification in 2008 before losing to Canada in the 2009 final, said that his team is inspired by what feels like a new beginning. "We are already training," he said, "Just us and Anette Norberg's team, though it feels strange to be on the ice when it is 25 degrees outside." As for his team's Prospects in Vancouver:
"As you know, it's impossible to predict results, but we have said in
team meetings that our goal is to be serious and prepare as well as we
can, but still have fun all the way to Vancouver. No joy - no results,
that's the way we think. The 2009 silver medal team have been pre-selected to play in Vancouver. Lead Anette Wilhelm, second Patrik Burman, and third Glenn Ikonen will be skipped by Jalle Jungnell. The alternate player will be chosen from a candidate group of four players late this fall. [source] Canada's tournament season begins in Osoyoos Sept. 12-13 8/7/2009The first competitive event of the coming season will be the Olson Curling Supplies Two On Two Wheelchair Spiel in Osoyoos BC the weekend of September 12-13. Team Canada members will be competing. Entries are $50 per person (plus food) and entries close September 2nd. For more information and to register contact Gerry Austgarden by phone 250-979-3030 or email. Carleen Armstrong on wheelchair curling: "It's inspiring." 7/31/2009During the 2009 World Championships I was able to procure access to Team Canada for a group UBC journalism students. The video of their visit is online HERE. It includes a comment from Carleen Armstrong, whose support for her husband and for the sport has been acknowledged in every conversation I have had with Jim. Kenora to host 2010 N. Ontario Provincials 7/22/2009Wayne Ficek's Kenora/Dryden team surprised rivals Thunder Bay by winning last year's Northern Ontario Provincial Championship. Next season they will get to defend their title on home ice (date to be determined.) Skip Wayne Ficek said he and 3rd Mark
Wherrett welcome the opportunity to host, acknowledging they were
fortunate to score 5 against the favoured host Thunder Bay team at the
2009 Provincials. OCA reverse playdown exclusion ruling 7/21/2009The Ontario Curling Association, at their Annual General Meeting June 30th, reversed a controversial decision limiting the number of wheelchair teams eligible to compete in a provincial championship to half of other curling categories. The new policy will be to allow up to eight teams to compete before reducing entries via zone playdowns. The OCA also changed the Championship format: "The Dominion Wheelchair Provincial Championship will now accommodate up to eight (8) teams with the top three teams qualifying for the playoffs after round robin play." Last season Ottawa wheelchair curlers, who had developed their program so that they had two competitive teams, were forced into a zone playoff as only four teams, one from each Ontario zone rather than the usual two, were permitted into the provincial championship. London ON coach Ernie Comerford, who along with Ottawa skip Bruce Cameron had raised objections to last season's arrangements said: " As a major promoter of the game in Ontario and elsewhere, I am pleased that additional teams in Ontario will have the opportunity to participate and gain valuable experience." Jim Armstrong update 7/21/2009Here is what Jim had to say this morning about his fitness and his plans: He is as certain as it is possible to be this far out, that whether or not he has surgery he will be able to compete in the Paralympics. The timing of any surgery depends both on the availability of a hospital slot and the health status of a close family member who is facing serious illness and who is presently in hospital. Because of that illness, Jim will not be attending the Edmonton training camp scheduled for later this week. On a related note, I should reiterate that Chris Daw's move to BC is entirely job related and has nothing to do with any concerns about Armstrong's status. Chris Daw to be GM of Vancouver Curling Club 7/7/2009Chris Daw, now retired from high-performance competition, will be moving to Vancouver later this month with his family (wife Morgan, and sons Kyle, Shane and TJ from an earlier marriage) to take up the position of General Manager at the Vancouver Curling Club. [read announcement HERE] The club is about to begin its 60th year at its current location, and will be moving into the Hillcrest Olympic facility when it is retrofitted in summer 2011. The club will celebrate its centenary in 2012. Chris and Morgan are expecting their first child early next March. Canadian wheelchair curling boosted by Bentall 7/7/2009Team Canada skip Jim Armstrong spent some time on Canada Day (July 1st) signing autographs as part of Bentall's plan to invite the public to "Meet A Paralympic Athlete." Jim wrote: "Bentall manages many shopping malls across Canada and have partnered with CPC to fund raise and raise our profile. I had the opportunity of participating in the Canada Day Event at Willowbrook Shopping Centre in Langley. They can't do enough, and it will be a longstanding relationship. Kudos to Bentall." [photos on our blog] Bentall have a website associated with this effort at handsupcanada.com, where they are giving away a trip for two to the Paralympics. Will injury dash Canada's hopes for repeat Paralympics gold? 7/3/2009Team Canada skip Jim Armstrong confirmed today that he has a shoulder injury that will require surgery. "I have a muscle tear in my left (non-throwing) shoulder that has been bothering me since before the World Championships," he said today. "The prognosis for a full recovery is good, but the surgeons are suggesting that rehab may take three to six months." Jim is a large man and fairly new to using a wheelchair. It is easy to under estimate how much strain wheeling around, places on shoulders he described as "already beaten up by years of sweeping." Leaving aside issues of physical discomfort, the non throwing arm is important for a stable delivery motion, as well as the ability to manipulate the chair and thus maintain fitness. "The long rehab is a concern," Jim said, "but if I can get the surgery in a couple of weeks I plan to go ahead with it. Otherwise I'll wait until after the Paralympics." While the Team Canada squad is comprised of very capable individual curlers, Armstrong's leadership at skip was the decisive factor in Canada's first World Championship last March. It is also the cornerstone of Canada's hopes for repeating their Torino gold medal success at the Vancouver Paralympics in 2010. Even were he not fit enough to justify throwing last rocks, I suspect Armstrong's expertise in strategy, ice reading and team management would mean he'd have to be unable to get his rocks down the ice before he lost his place on the team. The injury does raise the question of who would replace him were he unable to compete, and what the coaching staff have done to prepare for that eventuality. And what effect will a Jim at less than 100% have on the rest of the team? Team USA lead Jacqui Kapinowski interviewed 6/23/2009The USA Paralympics website has a profile and interview with Team USA lead Jacqui Kapinowski, who talks about her start in wheelchair curling, her training and her expectations for 2010. [read more] Wheelchair curling snubbed by Paralympics broadcasters 6/17/2009A report in Broadcaster Magazine details Canada's Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium's planned coverage of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympics. It will be a full schedule of inspirational personal stories, 90 minutes of daily highlights, and every sledge hockey game, including live broadcast of the final. No mention that Canada are the reigning World and Paralympics wheelchair curling champions, and no specific wheelchair curling coverage. [read article] Danish coach Per Christensen takes over Team Norway 6/13/2009Thoralf Hognestad, says: "Due to a new work situation, I have resigned as coach of Team Norway." Thoralf joined the team after they narrowly lost to Canada in the semi-final at Torino, a game he feels Norway should have won. His team did win the World Championship in 2007 and 2008. Thoralf's teams were known for winning, not for statistical accomplishment. He selected athletes of proven ability in other sports and moulded them into repeat world champions. "We don't play the able-bodied game," he'd say. "We play the wheelchair game, and we always have a back-up plan." He put down the lack of success in 2009 to the lack of a local training facility for the entire season. "We just couldn't practice enough," he said, though Norway were still able to defeat Canada in a meaningful last round robin draw. He has struggled to balance coaching and
work commitments for some time, and hands off to Denmark's Per
Christensen. Per, 53, has been coach of the Danish national wheelchair
curling team since 2004 and attended the 2009 Worlds as an observer. He
shared my surprise that so few teams came into their games against
Canada with a specific plan to win. Charlottetown PEI holding Give-It-A-Go on June 16 6/13/2009Parasport and Recreation PEI and the Canadian Paraplegic Assoc. are sponsoring a Give-It-A-Go session at the CARI Complex in Charlottetown PEI, 4-6pm on Tuesday June 16. For more information contact Cathleen MacKinnon at 902-3699-4540 or by email. Aileen Neilson honoured at South Lanarkshire Awards 6/11/2009
Paul Thomson of the East Kilbride News reports" "It was a great
night for Strathaven’s
Aileen Neilson as she collected the prize for Adult Female Sports
Personality of the Year. A South Lanarkshire Primary School teacher, she
curls at the Lanarkshire club as well as in Braehead and was fully
deserving of her accolade. Team Canada 2010 (almost) set 5/29/2009It has been a fairly safe assumption for some time now that Canada's team for the 2010 Paralympics would include Jim Armstrong at skip and Darryl Neighbour at 3rd. Coach Wendy Morgan's confirmation that the team would include two women, left just one slot open for speculation. High Performance Director Gerry Peckham confirmed last night that failing injury or unforeseen circumstance, or a catastrophic loss of form, Ina Forrest and Sonja Gaudet would join Jim and Darryl on the team. "Their performance within the selection
process over the past few years and their gold medal achievement at the
2009 World Wheelchair Championships has placed them in excellent stead
to be selected to the 2010 Team," he said. "The carded athletes for the yearly cycle beginning this July are the five members who won the 2009 Worlds, plus Bruno Yizek on a "D" (development) card. Cardings are always a lagging indicator, based on past performance. Bruno was carded as he was 6th on our depth chart, though with everyone so close, that doesn't imply he is favoured to make the team over Gerry and Chris." The squad will play in Norway and Scotland between October 12 and 23, and Peckham says selection of the 2010 Paralympic team will occur that month. Cormack out, Roy in as Team Canada squad prepare for 2010 5/26/2009Canada's Paralympics squad includes a third female, Jackie Roy, who takes the place of fellow British Columbian Gary Cormack. Coach Wendy Morgan said that the decision had been made to include two females in the final team. This reflects program director Gerry Peckham's concern that having only one female posed an unnecessary risk of default were she unable to play. Given this concern, a third female makes sense, both to provide backup and some competition for places until the team is announced late this year. Jackie Roy has high performance competition experience as a summer sport Paralympian, and has twice won gold at the Canadian Nationals, playing lead for Jim Armstrong. Team Canada coach Joe Rea said in February that there was little to choose between Roy and other members of the national squad. Curlers outside of BC, especially Albertans, may be disappointed that the squad was not widened geographically, especially after Bridget Wilson's All-Star performance as lead for Team Alberta. Team Canada are looking for someone who can throw reliable up-weight stones at lead. While Ina Forrest has that ability, the coaches prefer her at second. Sonja Gaudet is reworking her delivery to add weight, and I am not sure that Jackie Roy offers a challenge in that regard. But then neither does Alberta's Wilson. My feeling is that given that whoever was chosen to be third woman is unlikely, absent injury, to make the final cut, the decision to pick Roy was a pragmatic one. She is a more than competent lead, has "big game" experience, plays regularly with Armstrong and Neighbour, and lives close to where most of the training is likely to take place. Gary Cormack, a Torino gold medallist, loses his squad place, though Gerry Austgarden and Bruno Yizek have "based on the last 3 years of evaluation" been invited to "try out" for the team. I have in the past quoted Peckham as
saying that each of the eight squad members will have an equal
opportunity to compete for a Paralympics team spot once training begins
in July. Whether that assurance has survived the post-season evaluations
remains to be seen. Ontarians challenge province's championship rulings 5/23/2009A late decision last season by the Ontario Curling Association to restrict participation in their provincial championship to just four teams, one from each region, denied Ontario wheelchair curlers the same opportunity for provincial honours offered other competitors. One of two Ottawa teams was eliminated in a playdown, an exclusion that was felt by supporters of wheelchair curling to be arbitrary, discriminatory and unnecessary as well as detrimental to the long term health of the sport in Ontario. When the championship was held, there was a significant last minute change to the rules for competition that changed the expected semi-final format from three teams to four. Various proposals for change in 2010 have been discussed at the Zone level and OCA Executive-Director Doug Bakes has promised that the Rules Committee will visit issues raised at their next meeting. Ernie Comerford, who is working to establish a London based wheelchair curling group, has circulated an analysis of last year's problems, with constructive suggestions for change that encourage inclusion and participation, rather than arbitrary exclusion. You can read his presentation HERE (Word doc). If you have any comments or suggestions, his contact information is included in the document. My (admittedly long-distance) impression is that the OCA, six or seven years into supporting wheelchair curling in Ontario, are disappointed that the number of participants has failed to grow significantly over that period. While that is no reason to exclude a second Ottawa team by halving, for wheelchair curlers, the usual number of teams allowed in a provincial championship, frustration with a lack of progress in participation levels may have played a part in a reluctance to take wheelchair curling as seriously as other aspects of the sport. I would be happy to stand, or rather sit, corrected. 2010 Nationals coming west, clashing with Paralympics 5/20/2009The CCA had hoped to have an announcement of the venue for the 2010 Canadian National Championships before the end of the very successful Halifax 2009 event. Come the final banquet, a deal had not been signed and the teams left with the traditional assurance that the 2010 championship would be held "somewhere in Canada." The venue will be Kelowna, BC from March 16 through 21. Kelowna CC is a 12 sheet club, recently refurbished with wheelchair access in mind. There is a large elevator to the upper lounge that will allow good spectator access. The question remains though, with the Paralympics taking place in Vancouver at the same time and probably four and possibly all five of the national team plus the coach coming from BC, will anyone be paying attention? The delay in announcing the venue would seem to indicate that it has been a struggle finding a club with the facilities to handle 50 plus wheelchair users and to take on the responsibility for moving them between hotels and club. Kelowna CC has always been supportive of wheelchair curling, and was the venue for the world's first wheelchair Cashspiel featuring the Great Britain Paralympic squad, back in March 2005. Winnipeg Mayor honours Chris Sobkowicz 5/14/2009Team Canada gold medalist Chris Sobkowicz has been honoured in a City Hall ceremony by Winnipeg's Mayor Sam Katz with the Mayor's Award For Sports Excellence. [Winnipeg Free Press report HERE] Team Alberta named CTV Calgary's Team Of The Week 5/5/2009CTV cameras caught up with the national silver medalists for a "Team Of The Week" profile. Lisa Bowes' report had some good video footage and an excellent explanation from Bridget Wilson for why every wheelchair user should come out and try our sport. The CTV page is HERE and the video is also on our blog. CTV/TSN cameras film Team Canada at practice 5/4/2009CTV/TSN were at the Richmond BC rink to film Team Canada at practice. The film will be used as part of their promotion of wheelchair curling during their coverage of the Paralympics next March. Go HERE to see photos taken during the shoot. Fort William CC renovates - will host 2012 Nationals 4/18/2009Thunder Bay's Chronicle-Journal reports Northern Ontario's Fort William CC is about to embark on a $350,00 renovation to make the facility completely wheelchair accessible. Club president
Rob Chicorli said because the lounge area at the facility is only
accessible by stairs, members who use wheelchairs or have mobility
problems miss out on a big part of the sport. “The game of curling is
50/50: 50 per cent action out on the ice and 50 per cent a social
activity.” The club will host the 2012 Canadian National Championships. Men's Worlds included wheelchair exhibition 4/18/2009Last week's Ford Men's World Championships in Moncton, NB, included a demonstration of wheelchair curling between the medal games. Team Nova Scotia members Laughie Rutt and Mike Fitzgerald participated, as did Scots skip Michael McCreadie. [photo here] Need a new sports wheelchair? 4/14/2009RGK, a UK wheelchair manufacturer, is offering discounts of up to $3,000 on the purchase of a new wheelchair in a program initiated by Chris Daw through the CCA's Discover Curling program. RGK wheelchairs are carried in Canada by MEDIchair and possibly others. Conditions will probably apply but if you want more information, email Chris Daw. Ottawa wheelchair curlers take mixed league Trophy 4/14/2009Bruce Cameron's rink's efforts over the
season competing in the RA Club's Monday Mixed League was capped by
going undefeated
in the final round of "A" division to win the trophy. He played with
Doug Morris, Jamie Eddy and Christine Lavallee. Photos from 2009 Canadian Nationals available online 4/2/2009
Photographer Ian Readey took many photos throughout the five days of
competition and you can see them on
his website. British Columbia 3-peat as National Champions 3/29/2009BC celebrated their third successive
national title, with Jim Armstrong's rink of Frank LaBounty, Whitney
Warren and Jackie Roy repeating their 2008 success to claim the 2009 TSX
Canadian Wheelchair Curling Championship. They beat Alberta 6-4 but the
championship was not decided until the last rock was thrown. Day 5 Wrap - 2009 TSX Canadian Nationals 3/27/2009With a Hotshots competition promised if
the schedule produced an empty half day Friday, few fans outside Ontario
were rooting for tie-breaks, However, Northern Ontario's final day loss
to Nova Scotia and Ontario's loss to Manitoba meant that the two teams
faced off this morning, pushing the Page games into the Hotshots slot
this afternoon. Ontario had chosen to bring four curlers and two coaches
rather than an alternate, so when a medical issue arose for one of the
team, there was the possibility that they might have to forfeit the
game. Whether that unsettled Ontario, or whether it was just that for
this week Northern Ontario had their number, they were never in the
game. Day 4 Wrap - 2009 TSX Canadian Nationals 3/26/2009Judging by the comments on our
wheelchaircurling blog, BC were firm favourites to win a third
successive crown at the 2009 TSX Canadian Wheelchair Curling
Championships here in Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia. At the end of round
robin play, they sit top of the table with an 8-1 record, and will face
7-2 Alberta in tomorrow's Page playoff 1-2 game. Day 3 Wrap - 2009 TSX Canadian Nationals 3/25/2009There was a side championship scheduled
for the week's curling at the 2009 TSX Canadian Nationals - the Ontario
Trophy awarded to the winner of the Ontario/Northern Ontario match-up.
Northern Ontario were decisive winners, going out to an early 4-0 lead
on steals in the second and third ends, and then matching their southern
neighbours the rest of the way, wining 8-3. "At least they're the ones
who will have to worry about getting the trophy home on the plane,'
joked an Ontario coach, but I am sure that will be no bother at all to
Wayne Ficek. Day 2 Wrap - 2009 TSX Canadian Nationals 3/24/2009Day 2 of the Canadian National Wheelchair Curling Championship was always going to be a endurance challenge, especially for teams with only four members. The day started at 9:00 AM with an hour and a half of loading and transport to the club, and then three draws, and an hour and a half to get back to the hotel. Everybody looked exhausted as they returned to the hotel well after 11:00 PM. It's not surprising that by the end of the day there were no unbeaten teams, although BC, Alberta and Manitoba, the three teams with the most experience and the most settled sides, ended up top of the table at 4-1. BC started with a comfortable 11-2 win over Nova Scotia, with Frank LaBounty, having issues with his wheelchair, sitting out. At lunch time, coach Melissa Soligo was still trying to decide who would sit out for the afternoon draw. "Having five players is a huge advantage," Jim Armstrong had said prior to the tournament, "especially on the day with three draws." But that still meant that either Whitney or Frank would have to sit if Darryl was to play. It was decided by names out of the hat. I picked the names out of the hat and take full responsiblity for BC's 10-4 loss to Ontario in Draw 4. BC recovered with a tough 9-7 win over Northern Ontario in the evening draw, with Darryl sitting in for Whitney. A very tired looking Jim Armstrong said at the end of the day, "Everything that could have gone wrong on the ice went wrong." But they still have a share of the lead. Manitoba third Dennis Thiessen, at lunch after the morning draw, felt his 3-0 team were where they needed to be to make the playoffs. Despite a tough 6-5 loss to Alberta in the afternoon, Manitoba are 4-1 and have impressed with their steady play. Chris Sobkowicz is looking far happier skipping than he did playing lead at the Worlds. Alberta, after losing 6-5 to Northern Ontario in the morning, beat challengers Manitoba and Ontario to greatly increase their chances of making the Page 1-2 game. With only four team members, we'll see whether they can maintain their momentum. Northern Ontario continue to be the wildcard, capable of beating Alberta and Newfoundland & Labrador, but also losing to Saskatchewan, who posted their first two wins today. Quebec also posted their first wins today, beating Newfoundland & Labrador 7-5, and the Host team 8-5. Day 1 Wrap - 2009 TSX Canadian Nationals 3/24/2009The moment of truth came for the less
experienced teams during the first day of play at the 2009 TSX Canadian
Wheelchair Curling Championship. There were five double-digit scores
posted, and only one game decided on the last rock, when Nova Scotia
just failed to overcome an early four-ender, losing 7-6 to Newfoundland
& Labrador. Scottish Championships March 20-22 in Aberdeen 3/19/2009Eight rinks will be competing in Aberdeen this weekend for the 2009 Scottish Wheelchair Curling Championship. Jim Sellar and Michael McCreadie, who played together on the Scots team at the recent Worlds will each skip a side. Angie Malone, who won the British Open in Kinross last November, will also be skipping her team. You can follow the results HERE. Who will make the podium at the 2009 Canadian Nationals?3/16/2009Make your selections as a comment to this blog post and win a wheelchaircurling.com t-shirt! Nanaimo CC fundraising for an elevator 3/16/2009
The Nanaimo Bulletin reports: The Nanaimo Curling Club was
accessible to everyone earlier this month. Rick Mercer Reports 3/16/2009Just received this note from Jim
Armstrong: The 2009 Juan de Fuca Classic a great success 3/16/2009The second year of this stick curling event saw the field expand to 20 curlers. The $450 1st prize was won by Darryl Neighbour in a 3some with Gary Cormack and Corinnne Jensen. He stole a win over Jim Armstrong and Jackie Roy by 8-6. Read Corinne's report on the event and see some photos HERE. (.doc) Kenora CC gives Ficek rink a rousing send-off 3/16/2009Wayne Ficek and his Northern Ontario rink were given a rousing send-off last Friday at the Kenora Curling Club. [read report from Miner & News] World's bronze medalists Germany celebrate success 3/15/2009Here is a newsletter (pdf) from Jens Jäger, skip of the bronze medal winning team at the 2009 World Championships, celebrating his team's success. It is in German, but loosely translated, it begins: "We did it!! We won the bronze medal and will compete in 2010 at the Paralympic winter games in Vancouver… Hurray! "It was a strong achievement by the entire team: Astrid Hoer, Caren Totzauer, Jens Gäbel, Marcus Sieger, Jens Jäger and the staff with Helmar Erlewein (coach), and Marion Demeter (Physio) who kept us all fit. "There was a surprise at the station on our return to Rottweil. Members of the Schwenningen Curling Club welcomed us with enormous posters and cold sparkling wine. All had new T-shirts printed with “We congratulate the German team." Thank you for this marvelous gift. You are the best!" Wheelchair curlers win Lakeshore CC stick curling league 3/15/2009Mike Fitzgerald and Laughie Rutt triumphed in the Thursday evening stick curling league's championship at the Lower Sackville Lakeshore CC. The duo, who will constitute the back end of Nova Scotia's provincial team at the national championships starting March 23rd, were delighted to prevail without sweeping in a league primarily designed for non-wheelchair users. A scheduling conflict means their provincial team duties will prevent them from challenging for the Nova Scotia Stick Curling Championship in Middleton starting March 27th. South Lanarkshire loses pioneer with death of Charles Russell 3/15/2009Charles Russell passed away last week after a short illness. Though known internationally as a top-level competitor and advocate for wheelchair bowls, under his chairmanship of the South Lanarkshire Wheelchair Curling Club, membership has grown to over 30 members. [read obituary in Hamilton Advertiser] Nova Scotia ready to take on Canada's best 3/12/2009Team Nova Scotia is set for the 2009 TSX
Canadian Wheelchair Curling Championship to be held in Lower Sackville
starting on March 23rd, 2009. It's an experienced team, all
players having had played in last year’s Championship held in Winnipeg.
Armstrong makes Globe & Mail 6 Paralympians to watch 3/12/2009Jim Armstong makes the list of six Paralympians to watch in today's Globe & Mail. ""We are the defending champions from 2006. When you're dealing with curling, and talking Canada, it's like saying you're a hockey player. I'd say you're looking at disappointment if you're not looking at a gold medal. I call wheelchair curling the 'roller derby' of the sport. We don't have the big weight-hits or the sweeping. It's much more interesting, strategically. The able-bodied game is so sterile, with the perfect rocks and the players so good ... they had to change the rules to make it interesting." Do you have what it takes to play for Team Canada? 3/7/2009One of the questions I am most frequently asked is how a player not already in the High Performance player pool can attract the attention of Team Canada coaches. Here's a way. Practice these 15 drills (pdf) and if you can consistently score 160 - 170 then contact Joe Rea or Wendy Morgan, because they will want to check you out. 'Wheelchair curling founder proud of her baby' 3/5/2009The WCF's Kate Caithness tells the Vancouver Sun's Lyndon Little how wheelchair curling began. "``In January of 2000, I attended a workshop in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, where the concept was taking shape,'' she explains. ``The Swedes and the Swiss had been experimenting with it, but their idea was to use smaller rocks and on a shortened length of ice.'' [read more] Coach Ernie Comerford's Ilderton CC team profiled 3/5/2009Now in it's second year, the London ON team playing out of Ilderton CC were preparing for the Ontario Provincials when the London Free Press wrote this report. Bradford CC hangs a new banner 3/5/2009Bradford CC made their facility wheelchair accessible helped by an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant. They now have a new banner to hang, the 2009 Dominion Ontario Mixed Wheelchair Championship. [read story in Bradford Times] Meanwhile, back in Ontario 3/3/2009Ontario held its Dominion Provincial Championship over three days last week, with Ottawa's Bruce Cameron in first place at 3-0 and Toronto's Chris Rees, Ilderton's Don Bell and Bradford's Ken Gregory each at 1-2. Rees, perpetual Ontario champion, beat Bell 9-3 in the semi-final and Gregory beat Cameron, taking two with hammer in the 8th to win 6-5. That set up a Rees/Gregory final, with Ken Gregory's rink of Colinda Joseph at lead, Katie Paialunga at 2nd and Frank Cannarellla at 3rd running out 7-4 winners in seven ends. Teams and line scores are available on the OCA website, and a comprehensive article by Doug Graham of the Whig=Standard can be read here. With Chris Rees not making the 2009 Nationals, it will leave Prince George's Whitney Warren and Team Gregory's Frank Cannarella as the only players to compete in every National Championship. 2010 Paralympics teams line-up set 3/1/2009The ten teams who will compete for medals at the 2010 Vancouver Paralympics have been decided by adding the points each national team has earned in the three World Championships since the 2006 Torino Games. Canada claim an automatic berth as hosts, and Scotland's points count for Great Britain. Points are allocated 12 for a win, 10 for second, 8 for third down to 1 for tenth. In 2007 teams with equal records divided the available points. The last two years, where it was not possible to rank by won/loss records, rankings were decided by a draw to the button. Here are the teams, with accumulated
three year points totals.
The 3 year system means that China, one of the most colourful teams at this year's tournament and victors over Canada, fail to qualify even though their won/loss record during round robin play tied them for 5th. Germany's podium finish brought them a Paralympic berth. Switzerland, who are rebuilding their team around skip Manfred Bollinger, qualified by virtue of their silver medal in 2007. 2009 World Championships preview 2/19/2009The first thing you notice as you approach the brand new Olympic/Paralympic Curling Centre, site of the 2009 World Wheelchair Curling Championships is that it is still a work in progress. You are entering a building site and this championship is the venue's first event. [read the full preview HERE] Scots coach discusses team's prospects 2/19/2009Tom Pendreigh, coach of Team Scotland,
told the BBC: ""We couldn't have asked for a tougher start to the
tournament with Canada, the USA, who are an up-and-coming team,
defending champions Norway, and a strong Korean team in four of our
first five matches. Ice in for the 2009 Worlds 2/18/2009The arena containing the four ice sheets that will be used at the 2009 Worlds and next year's Olympics and Paralympics, will seat 6,00 spectators when finished. As you can see by this photo (on the blog) there is still a lot of construction work yet to be done. The ice is being put in by renowned
ice-makers Hans Wurthrich and Dave Merklinger and will be looked after
during the Worlds by Peter Luk from Switzerland and Jorgen Larsen from
Denmark, who prepared ice in Torino and at the World Championship last
year in Sursee. Rebuilt Golden Acres CC, Blenheim ON, wheelchair accessible 2/17/2009The Chatham Daily News reports that the Golden Acres CC, severely damaged by fire a couple of years ago, has been rebuilt as a wheelchair accessible facility. Jamie Pickering, curling club president, is reported as being interested in attracting wheelchair curlers. [read report] Meet Team Canada 2009 2/13/2009Get to know Team Canada 2009 by visiting this page. And then share your prediction on who will win the 2009 World Championship by casting your vote on the Wheelchair Curling Blog. BC's Jackie Roy honoured at 2009 Premier’s Athletic Awards 2/13/2009Jackie Roy was one of the athletes honoured at the 2009 BC Premier's Athletic Awards luncheon 2009 at the Sheraton Wall Centre February 12th. The awards are go to athletes who demonstrate the potential and commitment to represent British Columbia and Canada in athletic competition to relieve some of the pressures associated with training and competition. Jackie will be playing lead Jim Armstrong's team that will defend its national title in Nova Scotia in March. Darryl Neighbour won this award in 2008. Howard and Jones to throw from wheelchairs 2/13/2009Glenn Howard and Jennifer Jones will be throwing from wheelchairs for two ends of their charity skins game at Saturday's Dominion of Canada Spinal Tap Mixed Bonspiel in Thornhill ON. [read report on the curlingnews blog] Moose Jaw's Marie Wright profiled 2/13/2009One of the members of Saskatchewan's first provincial wheelchair curling team is Marie Wright of Moose Jaw. Matthew Gourlie interviewed her for the Moose Jaw Times Herald as she practiced. “I’m really enjoying it. It’s a lot of fun,” said Wright. “I didn’t think I would because I’ve really never done it before, but I’m really enjoying it a lot. I really like getting out there and doing something too.” [read article] China arrives on the 19th to much speculation 2/13/2009Team China will make a late arrival into Vancouver amidst speculation that they may be the dark horses of the tournament. This young team's impressive performance at the November Qualifying Tournament has caught the attention of Canadian coaches who, like many watching the Women's World Championship in Vernon BC last year, saw an unknown Chinese team challenge Canada in the final. Team China will now face a much stronger field than Prague Qualifying, but Korea proved last year that it's possible for a team playing full-time to quickly master the technical skills required to play at the highest level. [photo on blog] Would you break your toe just to curl better? 2/12/2009Dr. Krassioukov, a UBC professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, claims that some competitors with spinal cord injuries are taking extreme actions to increase blood pressure and improve athletic performance. He is proposing that curling teams be included in a study at the 2010 Paralympics that may help adjust International Paralympic Committee classifications to discourage athletes from feeling they have to break their toes to win medals. [read more] Team Korea arrives February 16th 2/11/2009Team Korea, odds on favourite to win this year's Worlds according to a quote attributed to Team Canada skip Jim Armstrong in today's Vancouver Courier, arrive in Vancouver this Sunday. This is the same on-ice team that rewrote so many coaches' expectations of what was possible when they posted extraordinarily high team shooting percentages in Switzerland at the 2008 Championships. Though they lost in the final to defending champions Norway, the experience may make them even more formidable opponents this year. [photo on blog] Full day learn to curl at Remax Ctr, St. John's Saturday 14th 2/11/2009Chris Daw has organised a full day for those interested in discovering the joys of wheelchair curling. The event will be held at the St. John's Curling Club at thhe Remax Centre in St. John's, Newfoundland. The day will include both on ice and off ice sessions and begins at 10.30 am. CLICK HERE for a schedule (Word) or email Chris for more information Armstrong talks about the potential of the sport 2/11/2009In an interview with Sandra Thomas of the Vancouver Courier, Team Canada skip Jim Armstrong manages to steer the conversation towards how the forthcoming Worlds can stimulate interest in curling among Canada's wheelchair users. " .. wheelchair curling is so relatively new there's so much potential. This is an untapped market because there are a lot of people around with a lot of time on their hands." [read full article] Team Italy leaving it late 2/11/2009Team Italy will be arriving in Vancouver the evening before practice at the Hillcrest Stadium, venue of the 2009 World Championships. The team includes the players who lost a tie-breaker to the USA last year for a semi-final spot, and skip Andrea Tabanelli and third Egidio Marchese played at the Torino Paralympics. [photo on blog] Team Sweden bringing 3 Torino medalists 2/11/2009Team Sweden will be bringing three members of the team who won a bronze medal at the 2006 Torino Paralympics. Jalle Jungnell, Anette Wilhelm and Glenn Ikonen are joined by Patrik Berman and new coach Patrik Kihlstrom and arrive in Vancouver on Sunday February 15th. [photo on blog] Swiss arrive on the 15th, will train at Royal City CC 2/11/2009Team Switzerland will arrive in Vancouver on February 15th and stay in Burnaby. They'll train at the Royal City Curling Club until practice ice opens at the Hillcrest venue on the 19th. This is a completely reworked team with a new coach. Skip Manfred Bollinger is the sole holdover from the team that went a disappointing 3-6 on home ice at last year's Worlds. [photo on blog] Team Germany arriving on the 15th 2/10/2009Team Germany arrive in Vancouver on Sunday. They earned their place at the World Championships by earning the best record at the Worlds Qualifying Tournament in Prague last November, losing only to fellow qualifiers China. Jens Jeger and Jens Gabel played on the 2005 team, the last time that Germany competed at the Worlds. They are joined by Marcus Sieger, Caren Totzauer, and Astrid Hoer, and their coach is Helmar Erlewein. [photo on blog] Team Norway arrive on the 15th 2/10/2009Team Norway, winners of the last two World Championships, are due to arrive in Victoria on Sunday where they will prepare at the Juan De Fuca Centre prior to coming to Vancouver on the 19th. Coach Thoralf Hognestad said last year that the team was hoping for a 3-peat and felt Canada, Korea and China would be the teams to beat. Today he was more circumspect. "We are hoping to get to the semi-finals" he said. "After that, anything can happen." [photo on blog[ Team USA take final practice, leave for Worlds on 15th 2/10/2009Team USA brought out the TV cameras for
their final New York practice before leaving for the Worlds next Sunday.
[watch
video at this link] The USA team for this year's Worlds and next year's Paralympics was chosen last December. "…it is necessary for the team to have at least a full year of training to work on team harmony, dynamics and strategy leading up to the Paralympic Winter Games,” DePerno explained. Asked how the team felt prior to leaving for this year's Worlds he said, ""The energy is high; the motivation is at its highest level yet. We have great skill on our team; we have a lot of experience under our belt. We have a bronze medal coming off of last year’s worlds. We feel very confident on getting another medal this year and hopefully the gold." Saskatchewan chooses its 2009 provincial team 2/10/2009Nine athletes attended Regina's Callie CC selection camp January 24th for the right to become part of Saskatchewan's first provincial team. On and off-ice sessions evaluated Delivery Skills, Shot Making Ability, Game Strategy and Tactics. The team announced today is Del Huber, Darwin Bender and Calvin Bird all from Regina, Gil Dash from Wolseley and Marie Wright from Moose Jaw. The coach is Lorraine Arguin (Moose Jaw) assisted by-Bob Capp (Regina). The team will represent the Callie Curling Club out of Regina. The Scots are on their way 2/09/2009Bob Cowan reports that the Scots are set to leave for Canada on the 11th, to stay in a "holding camp" in Richmond BC. This reminds me that when they came to Kelowna in 2005, I had scouted out some accessible drinking establishments, only to be told by their pleasant but somewhat dour skip Frank Duffy that the team were not going to be allowed to go drinking. I hope the holding camp has at least a television, and its location registered with the Red Cross. Cameron wins playdown for spot at Ontario Provincials 2/09/2009The Ontario Curling Association's controversial decision to allow only one wheelchair team per region to attend the provincial championships in Kingston at the end of the month (other curlers are allowed two) necessitated a playdown between the two competitive Region 1 Ottawa teams. On Saturday, Bruce Cameron skipped Doug Morris, Jamie Eddy and Christine Lavallee to an 8-4 win over Team Fraser, going on to win the best of three playdown with a 9-3 win on Sunday. Game 1 Sat Feb 7/09 5:00 PM The Ontario Dominion Wheelchair Championship will feature four teams and be held Feb 25-27,2009 at the Royal Kingston CC. Fort William CC to build on success of wheelchair program 2/04/2009Coach Dave Kawahara, who brought wheelchair curling to northern Ontario, told the Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal that the Fort William CC, host to the N. Ontario Provincial Championships, has plans to install an elevator and grow their wheelchair curling program. “Mid-March, we should find out if we have all the capital, and then we‘re scheduled to start June 1,” he told reporter Graham Strong, adding that anyone with a physical disability is welcome to come out and try the sport, even if they have to borrow a wheelchair from the club. “We enjoy everybody‘s company,” Kawahara said. “And once we get the elevator, it‘s going to be really social.” The program has about 20 members and ice is available at the Fort William CC each Sunday afternoon at 3.30pm. CLICK HERE to read the full Chronicle Journal report. The Kenora Miner & News also reported on the MEDIchair Provincial Championship final. Read their report including comments by winning skip Wayne Ficek after the match. Kenora's Ficek storms back to take N. Ontario title 2/03/2009Wayne Ficek put aside a round robin defeat as he led his Kenora team to a thrilling come from behind victory over Thunder Bay's Carl Levesque in the final of the MEDIchair Northern Ontario Provincial Championship at the Fort William Curling Club. Down 7-3 after 6 ends, the Kenoran's scored 5 in the 7th and 2 with the hammer in an extra end for a 10-8 win. Line score HERE. Ficek and 3rd Mark Wherrett played for Levesque at the 2008 Championship on a coach selected team. This year they will take Chester Draper (2nd) and Denise Miault (lead) to the Nationals in Nova Scotia March 23-28. The Northern Ontario Championship was sponsored by MEDIchair who issued this press release about their involvement in wheelchair curling. Calgarians repeat as provincial champions 2/02/2009Experience proved out in a close final as Jack Smart led his Calgary team to a 7-6 win over fellow Calgarian Emer Stang and a repeat Alberta Provincial Championship at the Garrison CC in Calgary this weekend. Team Smart, with Team Canada squad member Bruno Yizek at 3rd, Anne Hibberd at 2nd and Bridget Wilson at lead went 3-0 in the round robin and then easily disposed of Edmonton's Team Nuspl in the semi-final. Two Edmonton teams and two Calgary teams competed in the three day event notable for a significant increase in the skills shown and the closeness of many of the games since last year's championship. For team rosters and results CLICK HERE MEDIchair N. Ontario Provincials underway in Fort William 2/01/2009Wayne Ficek skipped his Kenora team of Mark Wherrett, Chester Draper and Denise Miault to a 15-2 win over Fort Williiam host club's Richard Dawid in the opening draw of the MEDIchair Northern Ontario Provincials. In the evening draw, Fort William's Carl Levesque, with Rick Bell and Sharon LaFroye who he skipped at the 2008 Nationals, plus Ron Brunelle, ran out 7-2 winners over the Kenora team. The line scores are HERE. The round robin concludes tomorrow afternoon at 1.30PM local time with Levesque playing Dawid. Regional playoff required for Ontario Provincials 1/30/2009Ottawa's curlers have been told by the Ontario Curling Association that the decision to allow only one team per region will stand, necessitating a Region 1 playoff. Ottawa skip Bruce Cameron argued in a comment to an earlier post that wheelchair curlers should have been treated as in every other level of curling in Ontario, with two entries allowed per region. Excluding people, he argued, is "very frustrating when we, with the exception of the OCA, are trying to expand our sport." The playoff between Richard Fraser and Bruce Cameron, both representing the RA Centre in Ottawa, will be a best of three eight-end games played at the RA Centre in Ottawa. Game 1 Sat Feb. 5:00pm, Game 2 Sun Feb.8 9:00am and Game 3 (if necessary) Sun. Feb 8 3:00pm. The winner will join Chris Rees (Toronto) Ken Gregory (Bradford) and Don Bell (London) for the Dominion Ontario Provincials to be played at the Royal Kingston CC from February 25-27,2009. 2009 MEDIchair No. Ontario Provincials begin Feb 1st 1/30/2009The inaugural N. Ontario Provincial Championship, sponsored by MEDIchair, will be held at the Fort William CC from Sunday February 1st through 3rd. Three teams will compete for the right to travel to the Nationals in Nova Scotia at the end of March. Richard Dawid and Carl Levesque will skip teams out of the host club and will be challenged by a Kenora rink skipped by Wayne Ficek. “This is a proud moment in Northern Ontario curling history,” says Northern Ontario Curling Association President Al Gemmell. “We are very pleased to include wheelchair curling in our schedule and look forward to its growth across Northern Ontario.” This will be Northern Ontario's second appearance at the Nationals. In 2008 the selected team skipped by Carl Levesque finished a very creditable 3-4. Team details are HERE and the schedule is HERE. Follow the action at the Fort William CC website Valentine's Day Give-It-A-Go session in St. John's 1/29/2009Newfoundland's St. John's CC is hosting an introduction to wheelchair curling on February 14th between 11 am and 5 pm. The club plays at the Remax Centre, a fully wheelchair accessible facility. Paralympic gold medal skip Chris Daw will lead the session, though no word on whether he will be accepting Valentine chocolates or kisses. "This introductory clinic is aimed at anyone in the province who wishes to participate in wheelchair curling and will help build our provincial program," he said. Email Chris Daw at chris@chrisdaw.ca for more information. Quebec comes to Ottawa - the result a 16 ender 1/27/2009The Lennoxville CC, a newly formed team keen to get in as much practice as possible before the nationals, drove through a snow storm to take on the two Ottawa teams last Sunday. They beat both Team Cameron and Team Fraser, and the 4th end of the Fraser match ended with all 16 rocks in the rings. CLICK HERE to see a photo. Ontario Provincials entry deadline is January 30th 1/25/2009Registration for the Ontario Provincials closes January 30th and the Provincial Association had decided that only four teams would be allowed to compete, one from each region. A regional playoff would take place February 7-8 if more than one team from a region applied. The four team Provincials limit is controversial and seen by some Ottawa curlers, who have the potential to field two teams, as being unnecessarily restrictive. Tom Ward of the Ontario Curling Association says that no decision has been made about what would happen if there were more than two entries from a region yet less than five total. "We'll wait to see how many applications there are before deciding," he told me. BC, in organizing their first Provincial Championship this year, initially expected to use a traditional regional structure, but abandoned it in the spirit of maximizing participation in the championship. In the end only Team Austgarden in the four team field was drawn from the same region. Canada play Scotland to open 2009 Worlds 1/23/2009Canada open their campaign for the 2009 World Championship against Scotland at 12.30 February 21st. They finish their nine game round robin schedule against two-time defending champions Norway at 2.30pm Thursday 26th. The Championship will take place as the inaugural event at the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic facility in Vancouver. See the full schedule at this link. Windsor CC in Nova Scotia now fully accessible 1/22/2009The Windsor CC has been rebuilt and is now fully wheelchair accessible. Club President Rae Winkelaar told Christy Marsters of the Hants Journal that having a curling club that is accessible is great for demonstrating to other clubs that this can be done. “And, for others in wheelchairs, to be exposed to the fact this is something that’s possible… people can now see how others curl in wheelchairs,” Winkelaar said. [read full article] The club held a demonstration day last weekend and hopes to attract enough wheelchair users to form their own club team. Wheelchair curling in Nova Scotia has been centred in Lower Sackville, host to the 2009 Canadian Championships. Team USA training in Abbotsford BC Feb 16-19 1/22/2009Team USA will be training at the Abbotsford CC before attending the 2009 Nationals. They will finish with an open demonstration match at 6.45 pm on February 18th. Reports of Team BC alternate are premature 1/21/2009A report on The Curling News blog that Sonja Gaudet had been selected as the alternate on Team BC for the 2009 Canadian Nationals appears premature. Team BC skip Jim Armstrong tells me that a final decision has not been made about who will be the alternate if in fact CurlBC's budget allows for one. Jim Shannon 1946-2009 R.I.P. 1/21/2009 UPDATEDJim Shannon, one of the athletes instrumental in establishing wheelchair curling in BC, has died in Vancouver after a long illness. He is survived by his parents Melvin and Beryl Shannon, his daughter Aubrey and his sister Joyce. He was 62. His daughter said: "Jim was born in Medicine Hat on Sept 26 1946. He grew up in a curling family. He absolutely loved wheelchair curling. He died on January 15 2009. He courageously battled his aliments until the day he died in the hopes of regaining his independence and getting back to the curling rink. He also has been a long time volunteer at Pearson Centre, coordinating the karaoke group there, going on most weekends to involve the residents in his love of karaoke." A memorial Service will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 21st at George Pearson Hospital, 719 West 59th Avenue, Vancouver. On-line condolences may be expressed at www.schoenings.com or a comment left on the wheelchair curling blog. Jim skipped BC to consecutive silver medals at the 2005 and 2006 National Championships, and was the alternate on the team that won gold at the 2007 Championship even while he had curtailed his time on the ice because of illness. Team mate Darryl Neighbour credited his start in the sport to Jim. “Jim Shannon inspired me and asked me to come out and try it," he said. Darryl is now playing 3rd for Team Canada. A fixture at events at the Marpole and Richmond CC, Jim was recognised in 2005 with an award for his service in promoting wheelchair curling. He will be missed. Local press covers BC Provincials 1/21/2009Click HERE for a report from the Prince George Citizen and HERE for a report from the Vernon Morning Star Duluth beat Thunder Bay using rolling delivery 1/21/2009A team from Duluth MN beat a team from Thunder Bay 9-2 in the first ever cross border wheelchair curling club challenge match in Grand Marais, MN. The game was remarkable for the fact that the Minnesota players used a rolling rather than a stationary delivery. Duluth team member Shawn Corbin explained his surprise to discover that WCF rules insist that delivery be from a stationary wheelchair, as he had become used to manipulating both rock and chair towards the hogline before release. He felt that his method had considerable advantages, and saw no reason why the rules should not allow for it. I will post our emails on this subject as a comment on this date's blog post at wheelchaircurling blog. Team Armstrong repeat as BC Champions 1/17/2009Jim Armstrong will be defending his 2008 Canadian Nationals, though this year his team of Frank LaBounty, Whitney Warren and Jackie Roy will have earned the honour on the ice rather than had it handed to them at camp. In the morning semi-final against Darryl Neighbour, he took 4 in the 1st and ran out a 9-6 win that was never as close as the score suggests. The afternoon final against unbeaten Team Austgarden was a different matter, with play in the four foot almost every end and both teams impressing the spectators with consistent draw weight. Armstrong stole to a 4-0 lead after 3 ends, Austgarden took 1 and then stole 2 in the 5th when Armstrong's attempt at a last rock save came up inches short of the button. It took a measurement to give Armstrong a steal of 2 in the 7th, and in the final end, down 4, Austgarden had 2 rocks counting in the back of the house with skip stones to play before Armstrong threw a takeout through a narrow port for a decisive hit and a 9-6 win. Line scores are at playdowns.com and photographs will be posted on the wheelchaircurling blog. Team Sobkowicz defends its Manitoba championship 1/17/2009Team Canada 2009 member Chris Sobkowicz successfully defended his Manitoba title winning the opening two games of the best of three playdown against Team Horning. Chris will take teammates Arlene Ursel, Michael Alberg, Dennis Thiessen and alternate Terry Lindell to Nova Scotia in March where he is sure to face at least one other Team Canada member from BC. Austgarden wins easy passage to BC final 1/17/2009Gerry Austgarden, dropped from Team Canada 2009, had another two easy wins at the BC playdowns in Vernon, defeating Lindstrom 9-3 in the morning and Armstrong 11-1 in the final round robin draw. Armstrong beat Neighbour 12-8 in the morning draw, scoring 5 in the 5th and stealing 4 in the 6th. Neighbour faced the other 0-2 team Lindstrom for a semi-final chance. He stole 5 early points but squeaked home 7-6 after giving up 3 in the final end. Line scores at playdowns.com Armstrong faces Neighbour at 8.30am in the morning semi-final with the winner playing Austgarden at 1.30. Austgarden and Armstrong win in Draw 1 of BC playdown 1/16/2009Gerry Austgarden beat Darryl Neighbour 9-4 in the first draw of the BC playdowns in Vernon. He went out to an early 4 point lead, Neighbour, with 2 in the 3rd and a steal of 1 in the 4th, pulled to within 1 at the half-way point but gave up a game settling 3 in the 5th. Jim Armstrong, defending BC and National Champion, beat Lindstrom 6-3 with a 3 in the 6th end proving decisive. Line scores at playdowns.com Sonja Gaudet profiled in preview of BC playdowns 1/15/2009The Vernon Morning Star profiles local Paralympian and 2009 Team Canada alternate Sonja Gaudet as she prepares to play lead for Gerry Austgarden in the BC playdowns this weekend. [read article] BC playdown details on playdowns.com 1/14/2009With six of the 8 person Team Canada squad spread over the four teams competing for the right to represent BC at the Nationals in March, there may be more than casual interest in who wins this playdown. Jim Armstrong will be skipping the same team that won last year's national championship. Teams as per post of 12/20 and schedule available at playdowns.com Saskatchewan provincial selection camp January 24th 1/14/2009Anyone wishing to be considered for selection to the Saskatchewan team must attend the camp on January 24th at the Callie CC in Regina. contact Amber Holland at the Saskatchewan Curling Association office. Phone: 306-780-9202 or e-mail: tdsca@sasktel.net 7th Annual Pat "O" Reid Memorial Bonspiel on Valentines Day 1/14/2009The Toronto Wheelchair Curling Group is putting on the spiel on February 14th at the Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club. Open format, teams and individuals welcome to two games and a dinner. Details HERE (Word doc) Germany keep winning, take 3rd Annual Identa Cup 1/13/2009Germany won the 3rd Annual Identa Cup, held this past weekend in Schwenningen, Germany, heading a 10 team field with 8 points from 5 games. The field included the Italian, Swiss and Slovakian national teams as well a team from the Czech Republic and domestic teams from Switzerland and Italy. Germany put on an impressive performance at the 2009 Worlds Qualifying tournament, losing only to fellow qualifiers China in the 9 game round robin. It will be interesting to see how they match up with the more established teams at the Worlds starting February 21st in Vancouver. No. Ontario and BC holding playdowns for Nationals 1/13/2009Wheelchair curling is thriving in Northern Ontario with more than two dozen active players at clubs in Thunder Bay, Kenora and Dryden. Three competitive teams are expected for the first ever playdown to choose the 2009 provincial representative February 1-3 at the Fort William CC in Thunder Bay. BC holds it's first ever playdown this weekend in Vernon. Four teams have registered and play begins Friday evening with the final set for 1.30pm Sunday January 18. Jim Armstrong will return with his 2008 National Champion team, but will face tough competition as each of the challengers include current Team Canada squad members. (see post below 12/20/2008) Chris is baaack! Daw to skip at 2009 Nationals 1/13/2009Long-time Team Canada skip Chris Daw will have recovered from a serious hip injury in time to skip Newfoundland/Labrador team at the 2009 Nationals at the end of March. The team was formed this season with athletes who bring considerable outside competitive experience to the ice. Darlene Jackman and Joanne MacDonald are Paralympians, Lanie Woodfine is an accomplished road racer, and Felix Green has represented the province at multiple sports. The team has an experienced coach in Leslie Ann Walsh, herself a Mixed provincial champion. The team plays out of the Remax Centre in Saint John's, a fully wheelchair accessible facility, right down to the scoreboards. Read full press release HERE (pdf) Manitoba playdown, Atlantic select and Canada train 1/7/2009This weekend will be busy from coast to coast. Team Canada holds a closed training camp in Richmond BC, while on the east coast the Atlantic provinces are holding an open training camp in Lower Sackville, NS, with anyone interested invited to participate. Coaches Helen Radford, Leslie Ann Walsh, and Chris Daw will supervise both a high performance camp and exhibition games, after which team selection for Nova Scotia and Newfoundland/Labrador will be announced. In Manitoba two teams will compete in a playoff to determine the provincial representative. The 2008 Team Manitoba will hope to repeat as champions, skipped this year by 2009 Team Canada member Chris Sobkowicz, with Dennis Thiessen, Michael Alberg, Arlene Ursel, and with Terry Lindell as alternate. Their challengers are George Horning (Skip), Richard Dudek (3rd), Don Kalinski (2nd) and Effie Loubardias (Lead). For earlier news
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
