Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it's off to Prague we go

Play at the 2011 World Wheelchair Curling Championships begins next Tuesday, February 22, at the Curling Hall Roztyly, in Prague.

Hosts Czech Republic, and the top seven teams from the 2009 Worlds led by defending champions Canada, will be joined by qualifiers China and Russia in a ten team round robin with a page playoff and final a week later on March 1st.

Canada will be heavy favourites having won both Worlds in 2009 and Paralympics in 2010, albeit on home ice. They field their Paralympic team with Alberta's Bruno Yizek at alternate replacing Manitoba's Chris Sobkowicz from an otherwise all British Columbia 2009 World gold medal team.

Team Canada 2011
Jim Armstrong, Darryl Neighbour, Ina Forrest, Sonja Gaudet and Bruno Yizek

Canada made only a couple of competitive appearances this season; a split squad played each other in the final of the 2010 Richmond International, and the 2011 team went unbeaten in an international spiel in Scotland in January.

The one cloud might be how recent legal distractions may have interrupted skip Jim Armstrong's mental preparation, and indeed may have been a distraction to what has been a very close-knit group. But this is a team that has worked together for over two years now, like each other and have good team dynamics, overseen by sports psychologist Dr. Laura Farres who with Coach Joe Rea and Team Leader Wendy Morgan will be with the team in Prague.

In the past Canada has not always got off to a fast start, and in Prague they have a tough opening three games against China, USA and Korea just three days after arriving in Europe.

Team Korea 2011
Taeyeong Jeong, Giteak Kuon, Haenam Yang, Young-a Jung, Oejeong Kang

Korea were the team that had all the international coaches worried when they brought an outstanding hitting game to challenge Norway in the 2008 Worlds final. A disappointing 2009 Worlds was followed by a heroic comeback against Canada in the Paralympic final, when they spotted Canada to an 8-1 half-time lead and fell just one short in an 8-7 loss.

This year's team is completely new and untested against this calibre of opposition. I have been told that Korea sends its club champion to represent their country (can anyone confirm?) which might explain the wholesale change in personnel. It will be a major surprise as well as a testament to the depth of talent in Korea if a rookie squad can compete against the experience of most of the other teams.

Team Sweden 2011
Gert Erlandsson, Glenn Ikonen (skip), Kristina Ulander, Patrik Kallin and Patrik Burman

Paralympic bronze medallists Sweden return with their very experienced skip, Jalle Jungnell, now coaching. His Vancouver third, Glenn Ikonen, who ran afoul of the Paralympic drug testers, has served his 6 month suspension and is now skipping. Patrik Burman moves from 2nd to 3rd and last year's alternate, Patrik Kallin who did so well stepping into the team at the tie-break game, plays 2nd.

Long-time lead Anette Wilhelm has retired, her place taken by Kristina Ulander who was the alternate in 2008.

Sweden faced a lot of adversity last year in Vancouver. Skip Jungnell had barely played since a serious illness. They lost their 3rd, who had taken over last stones. But they could rely on the presence and experience of one of Sweden's most decorated players, Tomas Nordin, to see them through tough times. This year their success may depend on Jalle Jungnell's ability not only to come up with a winning game plan, but to lead from off the ice.

Team USA - 2011
"Goose" Perez, James Pierce, Jimmy Joseph, Jaqui Kapinowski, Penny Greely

One group not lacking in confidence is the ever-positive Team USA. They suffered a blow when they lost the services of Patrick McDonald to shoulder surgery. McDonald, a veteran, brought a steely-eyed seriousness to a group not short of things to say. He is replaced by Penny Greely, but the core of the team remain players who have reached the playoffs every year since 2008.

With skip Augusto Perez maturing and not trying to win the game with every shot, and some solid support from James Pierce, Jimmy Joseph and lead Jacqui Kapinowski, this may be USA's year to improve on their solitary bronze medal.
.

Team Norway - 2011
Rune Lorentsen, Jostein Stordahl, Tone Edvarsen, Terge Rafdal, Runar Bjørnstad
.

"I have a good feeling," says Norway's coach Thoralf Hognestad, who had taken his national team to two World titles before handing over to Danish coach Per Christensen for the Paralympics. He is back with Rune Lorentsen at skip and Jostein Stordahl at 3rd, but with a brand new front end. Tone Edvarsen, the first player to take advantage of the WCF rule change that allows power wheelchairs onto the ice, plays 2nd and Terge Rafdal is the lead.

Norway have been proof that results don't rely on good statistics. When they were winning they were never atop the stat charts, though it could be argued that their results in Vancouver in 2009 and 2010 were in line with the overall shooting percentages.

Norway had an impressive run of 17 unbeaten games earlier this season, culminating in a win at the Prague Open. If Rune has his confidence back and Thoralf has them implement his famous "wheelchair curling not regular curling" game plan, they may well make a come back, despite their inexperienced front end.

Team Scotland - 2011
Gregor Ewan, Tom Killin, Aileen Nielsen, Angie Malone, Michael McKenzie
.

Scotland have made their first major changes since Frank Duffy retired after Torino. Skip Michael McCreadie has taken a year off from the national team while he decides whether he wants to compete internationally again. I think it would be fair to say that while he was an excellent 3rd to Duffy, he never looked comfortable at skip.

That role now passes to Aileen Nielsen who will be the first female to skip a national side at a World event, though she threw 4th stones at the Vancouver Paralympics. She is supported by two veterans, Angie Malone back at lead after serious illness, and Tom Killin who will be a very experienced vice.

The two newcomers are Gregor Ewan, who somewhat rashly told a reporter he was after Aileen's job, and Michael McKenzie, who played under Ewan on the current British Championship team.

Scotland, who compete as Great Britain at the Paralympics, are a puzzle: highly experienced, well funded and trained, yet with little to show for the resources poured into the program since a bronze medal in 2007. On paper they look a strong side, but a 10-17 performance over the past three years indicates something is missing. 

New British national coach Tony Zummack has been unable to take up his position because of paperwork delays in Scotland, so the team will be led by Sheila Swan, who assisted their previous coach Tom Pendreigh. On the plus side she knows the team. On the negative side, the team did not thrive under Pendreigh and his delivery position theories.

It remains to be seen who will make the team and where they will throw from. Those decisions will be made by Swan. Zummack hopes to be with the team in time for the Scottish Championships later in March.

Team Germany 2011
Marcus Sieger (skip) Jens Gäbel, Christiane Steger, Stefan Deuschl, Heike Melchior

Germany ditched their ebullient skip Jens Jäger after the Paralympics where they fell from a 2009 bronze medal to a tied for last 3-6 record in 2010 with virtually the same team.

Marcus Sieger steps up to skip though he will continue to throw 3rd stones.  Jens Gäbel throws last rocks, newcomer Stefan Deuschl plays 2nd while Christiane Steger returns at lead.

Last year Coach Helmar Erlewein said they would treat Canada as just another game, and not treat them differently from other teams. "We have a master plan," he said, "which we can vary if required."  This year he tells me that "because of personnel changes, the team is working on a new tactical concept."

In 2009 Germany had a magical round robin that put them into the 1 vs 2 playoff game. Whether this year's team without Jäger will channel the magic of the last rock of the bronze medal game in 2009, or the disappointment of 2010, will depend on whether their new tactical approach works.
.

Team China 2011
Wang Haitao, Liu Wei, He Jun, Xu Guangquin, Zhang Qiang

China opened many eyes at the World Qualifying Tournament in Finland by their low to the ice delivery and super heavy hitting. They were the tough luck team in 2009, displaced from automatic qualification this year by the host team. It did, however, give China an opportunity to gain international experience by playing nine games in Finland. 

Their team includes three of the players who soundly beat Canada during round robin play at the 2009 Worlds, and if their tactical approach can come close to their hitting, they will contend for a playoff spot.

Team Russia 2011
Marat Romanov, Andrey Smirnov, Alexander Shevchenko, Svetlana Pakhomova, Oxana Slesarenko
.

Russia were the last team to qualify for the event, having to beat two 2010 Paralympic teams, Japan and Italy, in the Qualifying playoffs to book their spot in Prague. With the 2014 Paralympics to be held in Sochi, they are the only team competing in Prague who will not need the qualifying points to be amassed over the next three World Championships in order to compete in 2014.

Team Czech Republic - 2011
Radek Pokorný (skip), Martin Tluk, Radek Musílek, Michaela Charvátová, Jana Břinčilová

Finally, the host team Czech Republic are a team on the periphery of international competition. They have competed in the last three Qualifying tournaments prior to 2010 when they did not need to qualify as hosts in 2011.

Their best result was a thrid place finish in 2008 on home ice with the same team that will compete this year. In fact the only changes to the team membership since 2006 has been at lead, currently Michaela Charvátová.

Team Czech Republic, this year skipped by Radek Pokorný, with Martin Tluk at 3rd and Radek Musílek listed at 2nd will do well despite playing on home ice, if they avoid the 2011 Qualifying tournament next November.

Change in policy for comments

One of the major reasons for starting this blog, was to give followers of wheelchair curling the opportunity to have their say in a way that was difficult for me to implement on the wheelchaircurling.com website. People do have opinions, and those opinions were often interesting and thought provoking, even if they did not carry an identity.

My default position has been to allow all comments that were not obscene, obvious trolls, patentently untrue, or personally abusive. While there have been people who abused anonymity, and from time to time unkind things said, I think the comments to posts by and large have provided a valuable service and a worthwhile duplication of effort on my part. And of course readers of posts must seek out comments, so they are easily ignored if found upsetting.

I am going to make a change to the policy however. People posting comments must now enter either a Google ID, an Open ID, or provide a name and/or URL.

Posting by using the Anonymous button, though possible, will mean that your comment will go unseen.

I get a lot of comments addressed to me personally. I will not post those unless I think they contain information of general interest. If you have comments or criticism about the way I manage this blog, contact me by email so that I have the opportunity to respond.

I can be reached at eric@wheelchaircurling.com

Updated - In newspaper interview Armstrong denies he did anything wrong

Team Canada skip Jim Armstrong was interviewed for almost three hours yesterday by The Province, and in today's paper reporter Ethan Baron writes: Armstrong, 59, said he did nothing wrong, but agreed to a guilty plea because authorities told him that if he didn't, his son wouldn't be able to get his plea agreement for a year and a day in jail.

The U.S. prosecutor's case was riddled with inaccuracies, Armstrong claimed in the interview, but was told Gregory would have faced a 10-year prison sentence unless he agreed to a package plea.

"They put a gun to my head by putting it to Greg's head," Baron reports.

On Tuesday, Armstrong said he opened the box because it was large, looked beat-up and had been wrapped with a lot of tape.

"If I knew what was in the box, why would I have opened it in plain view of everybody?" the retired dentist said.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration Special Agent Jim Burkhardt pounced before Armstrong had a chance to call his son to ask about the contents of the box, Armstrong claimed.

"There's not a chance in the world that I'm taking this across the border," Armstrong said. "I know it's got to be illegal."


Asked for a response, U.S. Attorney's Office spokeswoman Emily Langlie told The Province Armstrong needs to live with the statements he made.

"That's what he told law enforcement. It's unfortunate that having entered a guilty plea that he is now interested in disputing the facts of the case," Langlie said, adding that Armstrong pleaded guilty "freely and voluntarily."

You can read the full interview HERE

I have been in contact with Jim who told me that his "intent would be to let the facts speak for themselves," and that The Province "didn't get it completely right."

UPDATE: Thursday 3PM - Since then a friend has reported claims by Jim of Prosecutorial misconduct, the fact that his son was under investigation prior to Jim's arrest, and mention of a polygraph test. (You can read them in the 6.53PM comment to this post.)

None of that goes directly to what is for me the key question: was Jim coerced into making false statements in his plea agreement admitting guilt for sommething he did not do, in order to have his son's sentence reduced from ten years to one year?

Jim had agreed to make a statement here, however the last email I received from him stated that he was on his way to the airport. "By the time we arrive in Prague, some desicions will be made regarding absolute, full disclosure, and any potential risk to Greg's wellbeing now."

I have asked Jim six pointed questions intended to cut through the inuendo and supposition. Though public interest is obviously high now, I think we should probably give Jim time to decide what is in his and his son's best interests before he makes a more definitive statement.

CCA response to Jim Armstrong sentencing

After the details of the sentence that Team Canada skip Jim Armstrong received from US District Court Judge Ricardo Martinez became public yesterday, I offered Greg Stremlaw, the CEO of the Canadian Curling Association, Gerry Peckham, head of the national program, Joe Rea, coach of the national team, and Jim himself the opportunity to make a public comment.

None of those individuals owes me a comment personally. They do all realise, however, that what is said here will likely be read by everyone with an interest in wheelchair curling.

Here is the reply I received from Greg Stremlaw.

Eric,

The CCA is aware of the outcome of yesterday’s court proceedings with Jim Armstrong. We monitored this very closely and have been formally debriefed.

At this time, there was no new information which came forth.

As you have indicated, the sentencing judge actually reduced the recommended actions and fine accordingly.

Given there have been no new facts or information which came forth which were relevant to this situation, the CCA has remained consistent with its disciplinary actions which were already handed down, including the specific conditions, that came out of the comprehensive review by the designated review committee.

The Canadian Curling Association continues to have the right to review or revisit this issue should any further information come forth which was not learned as part of our review and investigation.

The athlete is continuing to train and compete as part of the National Team Program at this juncture.

Thanks Eric.

Team Canada skip sentenced in fake Viagra case

Jim Armstrong leaving the Seattle court after sentencing
[photo Marcus Donner - The Province]
.

Team Canada skip Jim Armstrong appeared before US District Judge Ricardo Martinez in Seattle's US District Court at 2PM this afternoon to be sentenced for selling and dispensing counterfeit Viagra and Cialis drugs with the intent to mislead or defraud.

Judge Martinez told Armstrong that as a retired dentist, “you are a trained medical professional... you knew better,” than to provide counterfeit drugs.

He sentenced Jim to a $30,000 fine and a year of supervised release that must include 75 hours of community service. This was $20,000 less than had been recommended to the judge in the signed package plea agreement that avoided a trial.

The fake pills were to have been distributed in Vancouver by his son Gregory, who also faced sentencing today. Gregory was sentenced to a year and a day in jail, a $5,000 fine and two years supervised release, and was taken into custody immediately.

The judge will determine on April 12th whether the men owe restitution to the drug companies whose products were counterfeited.

The Province published a report HERE.

The Toronto Sun reported on background to the case last Sunday.

Given that there were no surprises at today's hearing, it is not expected that Jim will be the subject of any CCA sanction beyond what Greg Stremlaw had previously announced: "disciplinary actions taken and specific conditions imposed; but that the athlete is still a part of the National Team program and will continue to train and compete as such at this time."

Jim departs with the rest of Team Canada on Thursday to defend their World Championship in Prague February 21 - March 1.

Video report from Ontario CCA camp

Coach Wendy Morgan and Team Canada members Darryl Neighbour and Sonja Gaudet were interviewed at the Ontario Talent Identification and Development camp that is taking place at the Peach King Centre in Grimsby, during the Ontario Men's Tankard, their provincial championship.

What did coach Morgan hope would be taken away from the camp? "We hope they will be enthused and take their game a little further," she said.

Weekly Poll #6

Skips! 35% of last week's poll participants feel their team would play better if they played in a different position.

No telling whether that 35% felt they could do a better job than their skip.

Wheelchair curling covers a wide range of activity, from purely recreation to competitive league play. Formats vary from two person stick curling to orthodox four person teams, and play is becoming increasingly integrated into clubs' regular schedules.

So this week's poll question is: When you curl in a game who are your opponents?

a) usually wheelchair users

B) usually non-wheelchair users

C) usually a mix of both

d) I don't curl competitively

News from Phoenix Arizona

Team Alberta lead Bridget Wilson has been visiting Phoenix and contacted the four sheet Coyote Curling Club, who play on the ice used by the Phoenix Coyotes NHL team.

She was looking for some practice ice. She found the true spirit of curling alive and well in the desert:

I had contacted the Coyotes Curling Club about possibly getting out on the ice to do some training for the up coming Nationals. Not only did they comp me the ice time, the staff and all the curlers welcomed me with open arms, all greeting me and introducing themselves. 

They all came on the ice with me to practice and then proceeded to ask me to stay and play on one of their teams. Which I did and had an absolute ball...they were all so nice and very good curlers. 

After we went to the bar in the facility and the food and drinks just kept on coming along with lots of laughs and new friends made. The have invited me back out on Feb 25 to curl again.  They even blew up our Team Yizek provincial championship photo we had just had taken, asked me to sign it and posted it up in the curling club.

I would really like to thank ex-Calgarian Darryl Horsman and the Coyotes curling club for arranging this. He is hoping to start a wheelchair league here as well. Here's hoping and hats off to all the wonderful people here ...talk about INCLUSION! It's a wonderful club and is so wheelchair accessible it's unreal!

If you use a wheelchair and live near Phoenix, contact the club via their website.

CCA camp for Ontario in Grimsby Feb. 11 - 12

The CCA is holding the final regional camp in its talent identification and high performance development series, this weekend at the Peach King Centre in Grimsby, during the Ontario Men's Championship.

All 16 of the available slots were taken at the two day $50 a head camp, run by national team coaching staff member Wendy Morgan with Sonja Gaudet and Darryl Neighbour.

Sonja and Darryl will be in Toronto on Saturday evening to accept an award at the 27th Annual Great Valentine Fundraising Gala at the Royal York Hotel.

Minnesota Veterans learning to curl at St. Paul CC

The Courage Center sponsored a group of US military veterans on a learn to curl visit to the St. Paul CC in Minesota.

CBS Channel 4 was on hand to watch.

“Now I just need to work on being able to have some strength, and pushing it down there and trying to get to the house, I’m learning new terminology today,” said veteran Todd Kemery.     

“This is something that I never thought I would do, but this looks like it’s a lot of fun. I would like to do this again,” said veteran Edward Graham.

News from Kenora, No. Ontario

Wayne Ficek,  skip of Team Kenora/Dryden, says his team is "chomping at the bit and ready to go... As under achievers last year (3-6) none of our team was happy with the results and would love the opportunity to compete in Edmonton."

Denise Miault braced by Mark Wherrett with Chester Draper watching
[photo - Ian Readey]

Congratulations go to two team members, Mark Wherrett and Denise Miault who qualified for full carding under the OCA/NOCA Quest for Gold program.

Last Saturday they played Chris Sobkowicz's Manitoba team winning the first 7-6 when Chris wrecked on a guard looking at three in the four foot.

"The second game was a blow out 9 -1 win after six. While the first game's ice was good, we played on the same sheet after a 45 minute lunch and things had tightened up," Wayne said. "I think we caught them off guard with the ice and this is the first wins the team have had against Manitoba ever, so kudo's to Mark, Chester and Denise who are all playing better than ever.

"We're hoping we can get back to Nationals and truly believe three times = lucky."

Armstrong sentencing rescheduled to Valentine's Day

Jim Armstrong and his son Gregory were to appear in Judge Martinez US Federal Courtroom Friday, February 11, for sentencing related to their plea agreements signed last October.

The sentencing hearing has again been rescheduled, this time to Monday February 14 at 2PM because of a court scheduling conflict.

Team Canada fly to Prague via Frankfurt for the 2011 World Championships on Thursday February 17. Joe, Jim, Darryl, Ina and Sonja travel out of Vancouver. Bruno flies from Calgary and Wendy from Toronto.

Elisabeth Young-Walker of CurlBC's Adaptive Outreach Program

The CCA's website has an article on the programme assistant for CurlBC's Adaptive Outreach initiative, Elisabeth Young-Walker, a 4-time Paralypiam swimmer and Assistant Chef de Mission for the London 2012 Paralympic Summer Games. She is currently developing an adaptive program to get children with disabilities involved in curling. While the goal is to promote the sport through fun games and not focus solely on wheelchair curling, many of the concepts can be adopted for on-ice play.

Elisabeth Walker-Young hopes to reach 50 to 70 children and youth this year. A retired Paralympian with a background in adaptive sport and sport administration, she strives to increase awareness and opportunities so that one day others may follow in her footsteps; whether by pursuing an active life or achieving success at the international level. For more details about the program or if you have a fun title for the program, please contact her directly at ewalkeryoung@curlbc.ca 

The program is funded through CurlBC's share of 50/50 money raised during the Olympics and Paralympics.

You can read what she has to say HERE.

Team Sudbury funraising gala February 17

The Sudbury CC is holding a fundraising gala for its wheelchair curling team on Thursday February 17 between 7 and 10PM.

Sudbury is fielding a team at the Northern Ontario Championships in Thunder Bay Feb. 25-27. Tim Phillips, for NortherLife.ca, reports "skip Steve Daniel, along with mates Rick Prudhomme, Sarah Lashbrook, Dennis Duclos, coach Thomas Matheson and assistant coach/sponsor Norm Gervais from the Sudbury club, have been busy gearing up for the event.

The team has been practicing two and three times per week, sharpening their skills in hopes of capturing the prestigious event. The Sudbury club is holding a fundraising gala for the team Feb. 17, from 7 to 10 p.m.

Tickets are $5 and available at the club. To get involved in wheelchair curling, phone 705-673-5601."

Wheelchairs take the stage at SaskTel Tankard

Players competing in the men's provincial championships for the SaskTel Tankard and a place at the Brier, took some time out to try wheelchair curling with members of Team Saskatchewan on Saturday.

"I hogged at least three. I hit the boards, like, three times and I threw the wrong turn three times," Chadd McKenzie told Kevin Mitchell of The StarPhoenix.

Mackenzie's team of able-bodied curlers lost 11-2 in six ends to the wheelchair squad. "That just shows . . . I've curled for 11 years, but going into this is completely different. It's a different game," he said.

Read the full report HERE.

National champ Cormack adds BC provincial title

Gary Cormack skip, Frank LaBounty 3rd, Vince Miele 2nd, Alison Duddy lead
[photo - Matt Coxford]
.

Gary Cormack had a second chance at a national title last year, when his second place at the 2010 BC Provincials allowed him to skip the Host Team to last season's national title.

This year, he retained Vince Miele at second, and added 3rd Frank LaBounty and lead Alison Duddy from last year's BC championship side, hoping to get to the Edmonton Nationals in March through the front door.

After two wins in round robin play at the 2011 BC Provincial Championships in Kimberley his team went straight through to this afternoon's final, though not against their expected opponent. Bob Mcdonald, playing with just Bill Lindstrom and Samantha Siu as 3rd Sonja Gaudet was unable to travel, upset the multi-medalled Armstrong team in the semi-final, and looked to continue an extraordinary run into the final.

They started well, with Cormack facing four with his last stone on the 1st end, and only able to limit the damage, giving up a single. But Cormack quickly regrouped, scoring 2 in the 2nd and then posting steals of 2 in the 3rd and 4th ends for a comfortable 6-1 lead at the break.

Mcdonald fought back with a single, and a steal of a point to pull within 3 after 6 ends, but Cormack's 2 in the 7th allowed him to run Mconald out of stones, and claim his first national title since 2006 when he was a member of Team Canada.

Cormack *  0 2 2 2 0 0 2 X - 8
Mcdonald   1 0 0 0 1 1 0 X - 3

You can read a full report by Matt Coxford of the Cranbrook Daily Townsman HERE.

The 2011 Nationals are scheduled for March 20-27 at the Jasper Place CC in Edmonton, Alberta.

Mcdonald upsets Armstrong in BC semi-final

And that, as my wife says, is why they play the games.

When Bob Mcdonald faced Jim Armstrong on the first day of the BC Provincials, he was unable to get on the scoreboard in a 10-0 drubbing. Just after 9AM this morning, he stole the opening point of the game. Seven ends later he had stolen 3 more ends and made a game saving last rock takeout to win 6-5.

Kimberley had experienced rain on Saturday which had made the ice very slow, and particularly challenging for Mcdonald's lead, Samantha Siu. This morning the ice was much faster, and Samantha set up the ends to enable her team to win.

After taking 2 in the 3rd to go ahead 3-1, Mcdonald posted three successive singles before giving up 2 in the 7th.

In the 8th end, Armstrong's team had the rocks in the house to force an extra end, but with the last rock of the game, Bob Mcdonald threw a takeout that though it rolled out, was enough to limit the damage to a steal of just 2.

Armstrong *   0 1 0 0 0 0 2 2  -  5

Mcdonald      1 0 2 1 1 1 0 0  -  6

Mcdonald, who is playing without Team Canada's Sonja Gaudet, is back on the ice at 2pm where he will attempt to give Gary Cormack his first loss, and take the provincial title.

Jim Armstrong, Darryl Neighbour, Chris daw, Jacqui Roy

Edmonton's Mike McMullen profiled

Photograph by Trevor Robb

Mike McMullen. who will be playing 3rd for Cliff Nuspl's Host Team at the 2011 Nationals in Edmonton March 20-27, is profiled in the WestEdmontonLocal.

Injured in fall 26 years ago, McMullen took up sports about ten years after his injury, first playing rugby and then curling.

“It keeps you active, keeps you motivated, gets you out in the public,” McMullen said.

There's one topic that he and Calgary's Jack Smart agree: the insistence that teams be of mixed gender is hindering the devlopment of the sport. "“It’s not holding the sport back in any way due to their skill levels, just there’s not a lot of them out there,” he maintains.

You can read the full profile HERE.

Cathy Craig, the Host Team coach and manager of Jasper Place CC where the Nationals will take place, has agreed her team can live at home during the Championship.

“What people don’t understand about wheelchair athletes when they travel is it’s hard work. It’s a challenge getting in and out of bed and going to the bathroom and getting out of the tub because most hotel rooms aren’t well equipped,” said Craig.

“Our team has chosen to stay home. By the end of the week when everyone else is tired because all their daily tasks are just so difficult, we should still be rested,” said Craig. “I just think it’s a huge advantage for us.”

Do you agree?

Weekly poll #5

Some of us get to choose where we play on our team, and some of us have our playing positions decided for us.

Do you think your team would play better if you played a different position?

Press the button on the right margin of the blog, that corresponds to your answer.

BC Provincials - Day 2

In the second Draw of the BC Provincials this morning, Bob Mcdonald faced Jim Armstrong without his most experienced player. Team Canada lead Sonja Gaudet, who was to play 3rd for Mcdonald, was unable to travel from Vernon because of road and weather conditions.

Playing with a three member team, they were overrun 10-0 by Team Armstrong, giving up steals in each of the 6 ends before handshakes.

Mcdonald did get on the scoreboard in his afternoon match against Cormack, taking one with hammer and then stealing a point. He held Cormack to one in the 3rd, but the lead was short-lived, as Cormack stole the next 9 points to win 10-2 in 7 ends.

Line scores are HERE

Tomorrow's 9AM semi-final is between Armstrong and Mcdonald; the winner playing Cormack at 2PM for the provincial title.

Bob Mcdonald, Bill Lindstrom and Samantha Siu

Cormack beats Armstrong in opening draw of BC Provincials

Team Canada skip Jim Armstrong faced National Champion and ex-Team Canada teammate Gary Cormack in the first round of the three team BC Provincials at the Kimberley CC this afternoon.

Cormack stole single points in the first two ends, then gave up single point steals in ends 4 and 5 to fall behind 3-2 after 5. He then levelled the scores with a single in the 6th, stole one in the 7th and two more in the 8th.

The final commentary entry on Playdowns.com said: Armstrong's final rock is not hard enough to clear the house and Cormack ends the game with 2.

Armstrong is playing with his TC 3rd Darryl Neighbour, past TC skip Chris Daw and 3 time national champion Jacqui Roy.

Gary Cormack has Vince Miele and two of last year's BC champions, Frank LaBounty at 3rd and lead Alison Duddy.

Armstrong is back on the ice 10AM tomorrow morning when he plays Bob Mcdonald. Mcdonald, playing with Team Canada's Sonja Gaudet, Bill Lindstrom and Samantha Sui, plays Cormack at 3pm.

Results and line scores are available HERE

Toronto's Chris Rees regains title at Dominion Provincial Championships

 Shauna Petrie, Alec Denys, Carl Bax, Chris Rees with coach Paul Emmett

Chris Rees, playing on home ice at the Toronto Cricket and Curling Cub, defeated previously unbeaten Ken Gregory 8-3 to reclaim the Ontario provincial title he last held in 2008.

Rees, with Carl Bax at 3rd, Alec Denys 2nd and lead Shauna Petrie, had given up an opening end 5 to Gregory in a 13-5 round robin defeat. The final began more quietly. The teams were tied at 3 after 5 ends, but Rees turned the tables on the Bradford team with a big 4 in the 6th, forcing Gregory to gamble, and allowing Rees to steal a final point in the 7th.

Gregory, playing with Collinda Joseph 3rd, Frank Cannarella 2nd and Jim Primavera at lead, were behind in only 3 of the 34 ends they played during the round robin. 

The semi-final between Rees and Ilderton's Mark Ideson was played earlier this morning. Only Jacqui Kinahan on Ideson's rink had more than a year or so's experience but the team, with Mike Munro and Tony Reynen became London's first to reach a provincial playoff. They earned their place by defeating reigning champion Bruce Cameron's Ottawa team in round robin play.

Facing home-ice favourite Chris Rees in the semi-final, perhaps, like nervous mountaineers, they looked down. After holding Rees with hammer to one in the first, they gave up steals of 3 in the second and a further point in the third, and could not recover. Final score 8-3.

Full line scores are available HERE
.

The six Ontario teams (Photo - Ernie Comerford - click photo for a larger view)

Rees, Fraser, Gregory, Ideson, Wrigley, Cameron

BC Provincial Championships begin Friday February 4

Three teams are scheduled to compete in the BC Provincial Championships in Kimberley starting tomorrow, February 4th at 4PM.

Defending National Champion Gary Cormack brings Vince Miele from last year's team and adds Frank LaBounty and Alison Duddy who played on the 2010 BC Championship team skipped by Gerry Austgarden.

Team Canada skip Jim Armstrong will be hoping to reclaim his Provincial title by teaming up with national team 3rd Darryl Neighbour, past Canada skip Chris Daw and lead Jackie Roy. Each of the men have won Paralympic curling gold medals and each have skipped a national championship team, while Jackie Roy won three national titles; in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Bob McDonald has Team Canada's Sonja Gaudet at third, with Bill Lindstrom and Samantha Sui.

Results will be available from this link.

Kimberley CC President Steve Tersmette is an enthusiastic supporter of wheelchair curling, and hopes the money invested in making the facilities accessible to attract a provincial championship will result in local wheelchair users trying out the sport.

Kimberley is close to the Alberta border while all but Sonja Gaudet will be travelling from the lower mainland, a distance factor that prohibited some of last year's competitors from registering this year. While CurlBC's policy of distributing championships across the Province has much to commend it, for a sport that is still attempting to become established as a recreation opportunity for wheelchair users, placing the championship such a long way from all current participants has meant a small field. Luckily, there is no snow in the immediate forecast.

Dominion Provincial Championships - Ontario Day 3

In the final round robin draw of the Dominion Provincial Championships, Bradford's 2009 Champion Ken Gregory maintained his perfect record and headed straight to Friday's final, defeating current champion Ottawan Bruce Cameron 10-2. Cameron started well, stealing a point in the first and holding Gregory to one in the second; but a series of steals put Gregory 7-1 ahead, and a 3 in the seventh sealed the win.

Ilderton's Mark Ideson, who had beaten Cameron yesterday, started slowly against clubmate Dal Wrigley, giving up single point steals in the first two ends. The game quickly returned to form however when Ideson posted 4 in the 3rd and stole the rest of the way to an 11-2 win that puts him in the semi-final against Chris Rees.

Richard Fraser improved his record to 2-3 when he took Rees to an extra end, taking a single with hammer for a 9-8 victory.

In the morning Draw 4, held over from the previous day because of bad weather, Ken Gregory defeated Ilderton's Mark Ideson 8-5 on the strength of steals in the 4th, 5th and 6th ends. Chris Rees bounced back from his first loss yesterday to trounce Dal Wrigley 10-2, and Bruce Cameron beat RA Ottawa clubmate Richard Fraser 8-5.

Tomorrow's semi-final between Rees and Ideson is at 10AM, with the winner playing Gregory in the final at 2.30PM

Table after 5 Draws

Ken Gregory 5-0
Mark Ideson  3-2
Chris Rees 3-2
Bruce Cameron 2-3
Richard Fraser 2-3
Dal Wrigley  0-5

Full line scores are available HERE

Dominion Provincial Championships - Ontario Day 2

In Draw 3 at the Dominion Provincial Championships in Toronto, Ken Gregory was the big winner, taking out previously unbeaten Chris Rees to maintain his own perfect record. His Bradford team took 5 in the first end, only to give back 4 on a three in the second and a steal of one in the third. Gregory's 4 before the break settled the team who went on to win 13-5 in seven ends.

Defending champion Cameron came unstuck against Ilderton's Mark Ideson when down 4-3 in the 6th, he gave up successive steals to lose 6-4. In the third game of Draw 3, Ottawa's Fraser beat Ildeton's Wrigley 10-2, posting his first win.

A significant winter storm meant that only one draw was played, with Draw 4 put back to Thursday morning, and Draw 5 to be played Thursday afternoon.

Full line scores are available HERE

Dominion Provincial Championships - Ontario Day 1

Victories went to the more experienced teams in the first Draw of the Dominion Provincial Championships at the Toronto Cricket and Curling Club.

Chris Rees, looking to regain his title after a couple of years, beat Mark Ideson's Ilderton 1 by 8-3 with three consecutive steals for 6 points in the middle of the game.

Bruce Cameron gave up a 3 ender in the first, but stole the last 8 points to win 12-4 against Dal Wrigley's Ilderton 2.

Ken Gregory got off to a perfect start, scoring 4 in the first end on the way to a 8-2 win over Ottawa's Richard Fraser.

In Draw 2 this afternoon, home ice favourite Chris Rees overcame a 6-4 deficit to post a 3 in the 8th for a 7-6 win over Ottawa's Bruce Cameron.

Ilderton's Mark Ideson gave up single point steals in each of the first three ends playing Ottawa's other rink skipped by Richard Fraser, before steadying to win 8-3 in 7 ends.

Bradford's Gregory defeated Dal Wrigley's Ilderton 2 side 15-0.

Table after 2 Draws

Gregory 2-0
Rees 2-0
Cameron 1-1
Ideson 1-1
Fraser 0-2
Wrigley 0-2

Full line scores are available HERE

Six Ontario teams competing in Dominion Provincials February 1 - 4

Six teams will be competing at the Toronto Cricket and Curling Club this week for the Dominion Provincial Wheelchair Curling Championship and the right to represent the southern part of the province at the Nationals in Edmonton, March 21-27.

Defending champion Bruce Cameron of Ottawa returns with Doug Morris, Jamie Eddy and Christine Lavallee. Fellow  RA Curling Club skip Richard Fraser has two females on his team;  Joanna Bos at 3rd and Clare Argo at lead, while Don Stinson plays 2nd.

Chris Rees will play on home ice with Carl Bax, Alex Denys and Shauna Petrie. Bradford is represented by Ken Gregory, with Collinda Joseph playing 3rd, Frank Cannarella and Jim Primavera (who was part of the very first Team Canada squad.)

Ilderton CC is bringing two teams to the championship this year. Mark Ideson skips Mike Munro, Tony Reynen and Jacqui Kinahan. The second team is skipped by Dal Wrigley, who moved from Chris Rees's team, Gilbert Blanchette, and two players born in Africa; Hocine Zenile, originally from Algeria and Peninah Mutindah, originally from Kenya.  Ilderton coach Ernie Comeford says all but Jacqui Kinahan are fairly new to the sport.

Some of the Ilderton CC's wheelchair curlers
Mark Ideson, Tony Reynen, Jacqui Kinahan, Gilbert Blanchette, Peninah Mutindah

First Draw is 10AM tomorrow (Tuesday February 1) with five round robin draws being played through Thursday morning. The top team will go straight through to Friday's final to be joined by the winner of the 2 vs 3 semi-final game.

The timetable, schedule and team list can be downloaded HERE

Daily line scores from the Championship should be available from the Ontario Curling Association's website.

Team Yizek wins 5th straight Alberta Championship

Bruno Yizek, Jack Smart, Anne Hibberd, Bridget Wilson, Martin Purvis
Coach Andy Jones

 Cliff Nuspl skip, Mike McMullan 3rd, Warren Fleury 2nd, Shawna Walsh lead
Coach Cathy Craig. 

Calgary's Team Yizek, playing on home ice and looking for their fifth consecutive provincial title, went out to an early 7-0 lead over Edmonton's Cliff Nuspl in today's final of the Alberta Wheelchair Curling Championship at the Ogden Legion CC. After the break, Nuspl took a single in 5 and stole 1 in the 6th, but gave up 4 in the 7th. Yizek won 11-2.

Team Yizek, with Jack Smart, Anne Hibberd, Bridget Wilson and Martin Purvis, is a talented team that has been working together since Ernie Comerford started the program in Calgary in 2004.

Bruno Yizek is a Paralympic gold medallist who will be in Prague defending Canada's World title in Prague in three weeks. Both Anne and Bridget have also worked with the Team Canada squad, and their experiences have been integrated into the teams practices.

Now coached by Andy Jones, for the past two plus seasons they were guided by Tony Zummack, newly appointed British national coach. He told me the team prepares just as hard as Team Canada; the only diference is lack of access to the specialists and off-site resources that the national team enjoys.

Team Yizek's experience and the time and effort they put into preparing for championships, made them heavy favourites to repeat as provincial champions. In seven weeks they will know if they are good enough to go one better than in 2007 and 2009, and break BC's stranglehold on the national championship.

Calgary's Yizek faces Edmonton's Nuspl in Alberta Provincial Final

Five time defending champion Bruno Yizek's rink reached the finals of the Alberta Provincial Wheelchair Curling Championships at Calgary's Ogden Legion CC, defeating fellow Calgarian Dale Keith 14-6 with seven unanswered points in the second half of the game.

Cliff Nuspl beat David Graves 10-2 in the battle to choose which Edmonton team would reach the final and therefore gain a place either as champion or host at the Nationals March 20-27.

The Provincial final between Yizek (4-0) and Nuspl (3-1) starts at 10.30AM tomorrow (Sunday January 30)

News from Norway

Team Norway 2011
Rune Lorentsen skip, Jostein Stordahl 3rd, Tone Edvardsen 2nd, Terje Rafdal lead, Runar Bjørnstad 5

Norway have been practicing this weekend at the Halden Curling Centre in southern Norway close to the Swedish border.

"The ice is keen, with good curl, I like it!" Thoralf Hognestad, their coach, told me. "We're lookijng forward to playing in Prague, and are going for the Page playoffs."

The team leaves for Prague on February 19. "I have a good feeling," says the coach.

Team Bradford curl at CPAO funspiel

Ken Gregory, right, and local curler David Kemp, at CPAO Funspiel.

Ken Gregory and his Bradford team curled in the 2nd annual Canadian Paraplegic Association Ontario Funspiel last Saturday as a practice session for their upcoming competition at the Provincials, being held in Toronto, February 1-4.

"We only get together at the Bonspiels," Gregory told Miriam King of the Bradford Times. "This is our big warm-up."

Ken Gregory's Team Bradford has Collinda Joseph 3rd, Frank Cannarella 2nd and Jim Primavera at lead.

Team Canada training in Kelowna this weekend

Team Canada made an unannounced appearance at the Kelowna CC this morning and are on the ice now (noon) in what is the last opportunity for the team to get together before the Prague Worlds (Feb 21 - March 3). The BC Provincials are next weekend, and Jim Armstrong is due to be in Seattle the following Friday. National Team Coach Joe Rea is leading this weekend's session.

They have ice time booked for 8AM tomorrow (Sunday) for anyone local interested in seeing them.

Sunday Update - Chris Sobkowicz has joined Jim, Darryl and Ina for the Sunday morning session.

Alberta Provincials - Day 2

In the last draw in the four team round robin for the Alberta Provincial Wheelchair Curling Championship, the Calgary teams played each other - Yizek beating Keith 10-1 in 6 ends. They'll face each other again in the 1v4 semi-final. Nuspl beat Graves 7-3 and will face each other in the all Edmonton 2v3 semi-final.

Keith losing to Yizek this morning means the final will have a team from each community. With two teams to qualify for the Nationals, this guarantees there'll be an Edmonton team at the Nationals in Edmonton in March.

Weekly poll #4

Do you play in a club league, and if you do, does your team have a uniform?

Press the button on the right margin of the blog, that corresponds to your answer.

Last week's poll - a big majority call for front first stone

I was surprised by the results of last week's poll. Asked where you would want your lead's and the games's first stone to end up, two thirds of the 30 respondents called for a front stone, with half caling for a front corner.

This was what the coaches I encountered in BC were advising 7 or 8 years ago, and I'd thought tactics had moved on since then.

Yes a front stone is not immediately removable, and if I was relying on a steal to win a game, the standard play would be a front stone on the centre line. As the opening stone of the game? I don't think so.

I think the more experienced teams ask their leads to come into the house, and if you are going to do that, then why not throw to the wings, where it might be more difficult to hit?

Putting the first lead stone in the house challenges the opposition; hit it and maybe we can all throw a few stones to get the feel for the ice on our way to a blank end. And of course, because wheelchair curling is a game of misses, maybe you're sitting one as you throw your second stone.

Or maybe the opponent decides to come into the house in which case you can hit and perhaps lie two. Or they throw a front stone and then you have an opportunity to start the game lying two.

So I want my first lead stone in the wings, daring the opposition to hit it. If they do, I repeat. If they don't. maybe I begin the game sitting two.

Seems a winning strategy to me, even though it appears a minority view. Comments?

Alberta Provincials Day 1

Calgary and Edmonton each have two teams competing at the 2011 Alberta Provincial Wheelchair Curling Championships being held at Calgary's Ogden Legion Curling Club.

In the opening draw, heavily favoured Team Yizek played against their 2010 alternate Cliff's Nuspl's Edmonton rink. The teams were tied at 2 at the 4th end break, Nuspl pulled ahead 4-2 after 6, but could not hold on as Team Yizek put three more on the board to win 5-4.

Edmonton posted a win with Dave Graves defeating Calgary's Dale Keith 7-3.

In the second draw Yizek (2-0) beat Graves (1-1)  12-5 and Nuspl (1-1) beat Keith (0-2) 7-3, both games called after 7 ends.

Cathy Craig is posting occasional scores via Twitter - account 1CathyC

Jim Armstrong sentencing delayed until February 11

Jim Armstrong and his son Gregory were to appear in Judge Martinez US Federal Courtroom tomorrow, January 28, for sentencing related to their plea agreements signed last October.

The case has been continued and sentencing rescheduled because the US District Attorney's Office did not complete in time the paperwork that the Armstrongs require to be allowed into the United States.

Sentencing is now set for Friday Fenruary 11 at 1.30PM for Jim, and 2PM for Gregory.

News from Quebec - Nouvelles du Québec

Benoit Lessard skip, Carl Marquis 3rd, Sébastien Boisvert 2nd, Johanne Daly lead
Germain Tremblay coach

A very experienced wheelchair curling coach suggested to me recently that the up-and-coming team in Canada was Team Lessard from Quebec. They're young, proven athletes in other disciplines, who with coaching will be the team to beat in the years to come. They also won the Cathy Kerr Spiel last November.

They were among the ten Quebec wheelchair users attending the CCA's Talent Identification and Development Camp last weekend at the Boucherville Curling Club, receiving guidance from national team coach Wendy Morgan and Team Canada 2nd, Ina Forrest.

One of 143 photos from camp fauteuil roulant on the Quebec Curling Facebook page 

Quebec's Provincial Championship is scheduled for February 25-27 at the Victoria CC in Quebec City.

Un entraîneur très expérimenté de curling en fauteuil roulant m’a commenté récemment à l’effet que l’Équipe Lessard du Québec, est sans doute la plus prometteuse sur le circuit canadien.     Il s’agit d’une formation jeune,  mais en plus, tous les joueurs pratiquent une autre discipline sportive qui fait d’eux des athlètes accomplis à tous les niveaux.   Avec un bon entraînement, il est à prévoir que l’Équipe Lessard sera la formation à vaincre dans les années à venir.   Cette formation a d’ailleurs remporté le Cathy Kerr’s Bonspiel en november dernier. 

C’est par l’entremise de Curling Canada, qu’une dizaine de joueurs en fauteuil roulant du Québec ont participé pour la première fois, à un camp de développement et d’identification de joueurs potentiels cette fin de semaine au Club de Curling de Boucherville.   Tous ont pu profiter des judicieux conseils de l’entraîneuse nationale Wendy Morgan et de la seconde joueuse d’Équipe Canada Ina Forrest. 

Le championnat provincial du Québec est prévu pour les 25 au 27 février prochain au Club de Curling Victoria, Ville de Québec.

Calgary host Alberta Provincials Jan 28-30

The Alberta Provincial Championship will be held at the Ogden Legion CC in Calgary from Friday January 28 with the final on Sunday January 30. As last year, four teams will compete; two from Calgary and two from Edmonton.

Team Canada alternate Bruno Yizek rejoins his Calgary teammates after Paralympic duty last year. Team Smart 2010 thus becomes Team Yizek 2011 with Bruno Yizek at skip, Jack Smart, Anne Hibberd, Bridget Wilson and Martin Purvis, the all-star 2nd at last year's Nationals in Kelowna.

Team Yizek in a team meeting
Jack Smart, Bruno Yizek, Martin Purvis, Bridget Wilson, Anne Hibberd

Their coach for the past two-plus seasons has been Tony Zummack, now newly appointed Great Britain wheelchair curling coach. He tells me: "The coaching duties for Team Yizek are now in the capable hands of Andy Jones. 

"I look forward to their continued successes knowing their goals and ambitions. If I am still in Calgary during the Provincials I will be keeping an eye on them as a fan and a friend.

"The decision was made to have a new coach with the team prior to the Provincials so that the transition moving forward would be as smooth as possible and give Andy time to know the players. I have spent the last month with the team and Andy providing as much insight to their development and team philosophies as possible. I am confident that all 5 players and Andy are prepared and looking forward to the upcoming competitions."

Brian Rivers coaches Team Keith, Calgary's other contenders. They have Dale Keith at Skip, Karl Meier 3rd, George Assenheimer 2nd, Wanda Pizzinato  at lead with Curtis Junor the alternate.

Edmonton's Cathy Craig is bringing two teams to Calgary. Cliff Nuspl, who skipped an Edmonton team in 2008 and 2010 and was invited to join Team Smart as allternate in Kelowna last year, has Mike McMullan 3rd, Warren Fleury 2nd, and Shawna Walsh at lead.

The second Edmonton team is skipped by Dave Graves throwing 3rd stones, with Don Donaldson throwing 4th, Dwaine Shupac 2nd and lead Marie Laframboise. Doug MacEachern is the Edmonton alternate.

The format is a 3 draw round robin (first draw 11AM Friday) with 1 v. 4 and 2 v. 3 semi-finals 2.30PM Saturday, then a Sunday 10.30AM final. Because there will only be 9 provincial teams competing at the Nationals in Edmonton, Alberta will field a Host team. That means that both teams competing in the Alberta final will play at the Nationals.

New Brunswick and PEI not yet ready for prime time

New Brunswick's first wheelchair curling event, a spiel this weekend at the Frederickton CC, has been cancelled because of insufficient entries. Laughie Rutt, 3rd on Nova Scotia's provincial champion Team Fitzgerald and a long time evangelist for curling in Atlantic Canada, said that though the cancellation was a disappointment, several curlers from New Brunswick and PEI were able to attend the recent Atlantic Development Camp at Crapaud CC.

"There are some promising players in both PEI and NB," he said, "and they will soon be on the scene at nationals."

The CCA had hoped to add a tenth Provincial team to the schedule for this year's Nationals in Edmonton (March 20 - 27) but with New Brunswick and PEI deciding they were not yet ready to compete, Alberta will field a Host Team to round out the numbers, as has been done several times in the past.

Last year BC's Host Team, skipped by Gary Cormack, won the National Championship in Kelowna.

Thank you

I'd like to publicly thank the Calgary Wheelchair Curling Association for their very generous donation in support of this blog and wheelchaircurling.com.

Their show of support, along with the others I receive from time to time, allows me not only to recoup the expenses of runing the blog and website, but also makes it easier to justify the time that I devote to keeping up with what's happening in wheelchair curling, both in Canada and around the world.

Cameron takes trophy in Recreation Division of 50th Ottawa Valley spiel

Bruce Cameron, Doug Morris, Jamie Eddy, Katie Paialunga

Team Cameron and Team Fraser of the Capital WCC competed in this weekend's 50th Ottawa Valley Mixed Spiel at the RA Cemtre in Ottawa. They were part of an eight team Recreation Division, both reaching the final rounds.

Bruce Cameron, with Doug Morris, Jamie Eddy and Katie Paialunga (filling in for Christine Lavallee, who was sailing in a Miami regatta) won the trophy, beating a team of able-bodied curlers 3-2 in the final.

Michael McCreadie playing for Scotland in England

Fenton's Rink, located near Tunbridge Wells in Kent, south-east of London, is the only curling ice rink in England. This weekend it is the site of the Four Nations Competition, hosted by the English Curling Association, between teams from Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland.

Skipping and throwing 3rd stones for Scotland in the Tom Ballantyne Trophy competition (highest aggregate score over five games against England in the year) was Michael McCreadie, playing with Stephen McClymont, Graeme Maguire and Gerry Crighton.

Skip Michael McCreadie with 4th stones thrower Stephen McClymont
[photo - Bob Cowan]

Michael also skipped Scotland's Mixed Team against Wales.

 Michael McCreadie with teammate Liz Jamieson
watched by Ernest Fenton, owner of the rink
[photo - Bob Cowan]

Weekly Poll #3

Just 31% of those taking last week's poll felt that Canada would win all their games in Lanarkshire, but they were correct.

This week's question:

It's the first stone of the first end and your lead throws the exact shot you called for. Where did the stone end up?

Press the button on the right margin of the blog, that corresponds to your opinion.

Norway's Tone Edvardsen first to use power chair at Worlds

Tone Edvardsen, will be the first to take advantage of the change in the World Curling Federation's rules of competition, when she plays second for Team Norway at the 2011 World Championships in Prague using her power chair. Previously participation in World Championships had been limited to users of manual wheelchairs.

She is one of three changes to the Norwegian team made by coach Thoralf Hognestad, who returned to the team after their disappointing 3-6 finish at the Vancouver Paralympics. Tone, 36, is an occupational therapist and competing in her third season of wheelchair curling. Her major outside interest is photography, and you can see her photos at this link.

photo - Laila Bakke-Larsen

Sheila Swan to coach Scotland at 2011 Worlds in Prague

Sheila Swan
(from 2007 when she coached the British Universities Team)

Because of continuing delays in the paperwork allowing Alberta's Tony Zummack to relocate to Scotland and take up his position as National Coach, Dave Crosbee, British Curling's new Performance Director, has confirmed that Sheila Swan will be in charge of the Scotland team in at the 2011 World Championships in Prague.
Sheila played on Jackie Lockhart's World Champion team in 2002, and is currently the Royal Caledonian Club's Development Manager - Adults and Disabilities.

Tony is keen to take up his responsibilities and told me today: "I was very glad to see all eight athletes from the National Squad playing in the final three games in Lanarkshire. 

"To see Scotland reach the final against Canada should give the squad a sense of confidence heading to Prague.

"While I wish I was there now I have full confidence in Sheila Swan as she knows the athlete's quite well as she was with them in Vancouver. Preparations are ongoing and I look forward to the day I am there to meet the entire team and staff."

Canada beats Scotland to win Lanarkshire International

Back - Ian Dunn, Beith Forrest, Judy Mackenzie (SWCA Chairperson) and sponsor John Bell
Front – Chris Sobkowicz, Darryl Neighbour, Jim Armstrong, Sonja Gaudet and Ina Forrest

Canada posted two 4 enders to see off Scotland 2 in their morning draw, setting up a final with Scotland 1, who lost their unbeaten record, falling 6-5 in the morning to Hosts 1 after giving up a 4-ender.

In the final Scotland were behind 5-3 with hammer, but gave up a steal of 2 in the 7th (final) end and Canada won 7-3, finishing the tournament with a perfect 5-0 record.

The Czechs played Sweden in the battle of 2nd place teams, going out to a 4-1 lead and hanging on for a 4-3 victory. Scotland 2 beat Hosts 1 in the game between 3rd place teams.

Results of the two morning draws and the afternoon finals can be found HERE

A news report is available HERE and a video can beviewed HERE

Bob Cowan follows wheelchair curling in Scotland and attended some of the action on Tuesday. You can see his photos HERE. He also noted that in the game he watched. Darryl Neighbour skipped while Jim played front end.

Angela Higson, a South Lanarkshire WCC member and event organiser
[photo - Bob Cowan]

Canada and Scotland 3 for 3 on first day of Lanarkshire International

Team Canada flew to Scotland on Sunday, and at 9AM on Tuesday were on the ice for the first of three draws on Day 1 of the Lanarkshire International at the Hamilton (SCO) Ice Rink.

Scottish TV had cameras there at the start of the event. You can see the video at this link.

Bruno Yizek was ill and unable to travel; his place taken by Manitoba's Chris Sobkowicz.

Any jet lag did not seem to affect their performance as they posted 3 wins. They fell behind early in the opener against Sweden, but a 3 in the 3rd put them ahead, and they handed Jalle Jungnell his first loss as a National Coach, 6-3 in 7 ends. Sweden recovered to win their next two games, 8-6 over Scotland 2, and 6-5 over Mainhatten.

In Canada's second game Jens Jager's Mainhatten Ice Rollers managed only a single point in a 7-1 score in 6 ends.

Canada finished a hectic day with a 7-4 win over Host Team 3 from the South Lanarkshire WCC.

Scotland, still without new coach Tony Zummack, also posted 3 wins: 13-4 over Hosts 2, 6-2 over Marcus Sieger's Germany, and 11-2 over the Czech Republic. No word about where the Scots are delivering their stones from.

Line scores of all the games are HERE
Tables after Day 1 are HERE

Team Canada 2011 set for Prague World Championships

We have just received official confirmation that Team Canada for the 2011 World Championships in Prague, February 21 to March 3, will be:

Jim Armstrong (BC) - skip
Darryl Neighbour (BC) - 3rd
Ina Forrest (BC) - 2nd
Sonja Gaudet (BC) - lead
Bruno Yizek (AB) - alternate

Coach - Joe Rea
Team Leader - Wendy Morgan
Mental Trainer - Dr.Laura Farres

This is the same team that won gold in Vancouver last March. Hopefully a team photo will be available soon.

In response to a query about Team Canada's low profile this season, Program Director Gerry Peckham responded:  "This has basically been a year off as it relates to the intensity and profile of Team Canada activities. Our focus has been on regionally based talent ID and development and our NTP athletes have been engaged in assisting Wendy and Joe with that undertaking along with a personal focus on their own skill development. They are willingly “putting back into the sport” and have done an excellent job on behalf of the program in the years to come….


"We will gear up again next year."

It is understandable that after the rigours and the success of last season, National Team Program (NTP) members were entitled to an easier year post-Vancouver, and some have been very active in various CCA sponsored regional initiatives this season.

On the other hand, with interest in wheelchair curling potentially at its highest after a Paralympic gold medal, more CCA or NTP information (and dare we suggest photos) on just what the national team has been doing since March would capitalise on that interest.

While this blog receives responses to specific questions, the best publicity is proactive. Perhaps it's time for someone at the CCA or the NTP to be responsible for, and committed to, gathering and sharing publicity information.

Ten team field for Lanarkshire International January 18-19

Team Scotland 2011
Gregor Ewan, Tom Killin, Aileen Neilson (skip), Angie Malone, Michael Mackenzie

Canada will play in their second and final preparatory competition before defending their World Championship in Prague February 21, when they compete in the Lanarkshire International at the Hamilton Ice Rink (SCO) tomorrow, January 18.

The event has been organised by the South Lanarkshire WCC who include three local teams in the ten team two pool field.


Club secretary David Morgan told The Glasgow Evening Times the club, which has 33 players and includes members of the Great Britain Paralympic development squad, is all geared up for the two-day event.

“We wanted to invite some good teams to play us. At first, we hoped for about four teams to confirm, but we have 10 and it will be a great event."

Recently appointed Great Britain coach Tony Zumack is still awaiting paperwork for his move from Alberta, so the Scots, who have two new members, Gregor Ewan and Michael Mackenzie, will be mentored by Sheila Swan.

Skip Aileen Nielson comments; “We are really looking forward to the International competition at Hamilton. It is an exciting start to a new cycle with a new team. It will be a good trial, and, for me it is a great opportunity to skip the team and develop and build team dynamics.”

Canada will play four round robin games games beginning against Sweden at 9AM local time Tuesday January 18. The first 3 teams play across the pools at 2.20PM Wednesday. Results will first be posted HERE.


Pool A
Canada
Lanarkshire 3
Mainhatten Ice Rollers - (Jens Jäger)
Scotland 2
Sweden

Pool B
Czech Republic
Germany (Marcus Sieger)
Lanarkshire 1
Lanarkshire 2
Scotland 1

Skip uses wheelchair in latest CCA advertisement

The CCA's StartCurling Campaign includes a skip using a wheelchair in one of the ads in their "shots made on purpose" series.

Sudbury aiming to be new force in Northern Ontario

Sudbury skip Steve Daniel

Sudbury Curling Club will be joining Thunder Bay and Kenora in a challenge for the Northern Ontario Provincial Championship. Their team of skip Steve Daniel, vice Rick Prud'homme, second Sarah Lashbrook and lead Dennis Duclos practise up to six hours a week at the curling club, coached by Thomas Matheson.

Skip Daniel is a multi-sport athlete who competed for Canada at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing. His team, in their first year of curling, hope to join an evening league, but playing at the Thunder Bay Provincials February 25-27 will be their first time competing against wheelchair opposition. 

"All our (Northern Ontario) teams are pretty much evenly balanced," he told the Sudbury Star. "We might even have a competitive advantage. All of us are coming from a sport background. We all play basketball together. The only thing we have to work on is the strategy of curling."

Program booster Norm Gervais, owner of MEDIchair Sudbury, hopes that the 2012 Provincials will be held in Sudbury.

"The Sudbury Curling Club is wheelchair accessible and very familiar with wheelchair curling - plus they know how to run and host top-notch curling events." The idea to host the 2012 Northern Ontario Championship has been put to club president Bill Sloan and will soon be brought to the club's board, said Gervais.

Read the full report HERE

Curling around London Ontario

The Accessible Sports Council for the London Ontario area, reminds wheelchair users that the Ilderton CC is the base for local curling. The program is run by coach Ernie Comerford, who was instrumental in establishing the sport in Alberta before relocating to Ontario.

Sessions are held Sundays from 11AM to 1PM. More details HERE.

Weekly Poll - #2

There were 35 entries in last weeks poll, with 57% of the votes cast saying that Chris Daw would appear as a member of Team Canada before the Sochi Paralympics in 2014.

Team Canada fly to Scotland on Sunday January 16 to take part in the Lanarkshire International hosted by the South Lanarkshire Wheelchair Curling Club.

The ten team field includes teams from Scotland, Sweden, Germany and the Czech Republic.

Games times (thanks Bob Cowan) are Tuesday 18 at 09.00, 12.30, 15.10
Wednesday 19 at 09.00, 12.30, with the Final at 15.10.

This week's question: will Canada win all their games in Lanarkshire? Press the button on the right margin of the blog, that corresponds to your opinion.

Poll closes before play begins on January 18th.

Atlantic Canada camp at Crapaud Community CC this weekend

Curlers from PEI, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia will be attending a CCA sponsored development camp this weekend at Crapaud Community CC on Prince Edward Island. Attending will be members of the national coaching team Wendy Morgan and Dr. Laura Farres, Helen Radford, executive director of Curl Atlantic, as well as Team Canada lead Sonja Gaudet.

The Guardian (Charlottetown) reports that it will be the first inter-provincial competition for wheelchair curlers held on the Island. Activites run from 2.30pm Friday January 14, through lunchtime Sunday.

Marcus Sieger appointed Munich 2018 bid Ambassador

Marcus Sieger at the Vancouver Paralympics, where he played 3rd

Team Germany's skip, Marcus Sieger, has been appointed as an Ambassador for Munich's 2018 Winter Olympics/Paralympics bid. Munich, site of the 1972 Summer Games, is competing against Annecy, France and Pyeongchang, South Korea. The decision will be announced on July 6th, 2011.

"Shared happiness is doubled happiness" - Jalle Jungnell

Glenn Ikonen & Jalle Jungnell with their shared Paralympic medal

On the eve of their tie-break game at the Vancouver Paralympics, Sweden's Glenn Ikonen, who had been throwing 4th stones for struggling skip Jalle Jungnell, was suspended for failing a drug test.

The blood pressure medication that he had been taking for years across many tournaments, was through oversight or ignorance, in violation of the rules, and Glenn was not on the podium when Sweden ultimately placed 3rd.

"He didn't get a medal, so I cut mine in half, made molds of the halfs in tin, and glued them together," said Jalle.

"It just felt like the right thing to do. Glenn was so much a part of our medal team, it felt nice to give him a little piece of recognition.

"Don't misunderstand, I totally understand the decision to suspend him, and not give him a medal, but as a friend, and as friends, we all suffered with him.

"He was really happy when he got his half homemade medal, and shared happiness is doubled happiness."

Amen to that, Jalle.

Fredericton CC hosting New Brunswick's first wheelchair spiel

Wheelchair curling is arriving in New Brunswick with the 106 year old Fredericton CC hosting its first wheelchaair curling spiel January 28-30. The club is located on the Exhibition Grounds at the Coliseum.

The field will be limited to 10 teams. Cost $40 per person. Contact Karen Malone 506-457-9802, or 506-459-3003. Full details on the flier HERE.

News from Sweden

Jalle Jungnell, Sweden's long time skip, announced after Vancouver that he would be retiring from international competition. Fortunately for those who care about the sport at the World level, he has returned to his national side, this time as coach.

"Tomas Nordin (coach in Vancouver) would have been the ultimate choice for coach, we all feel, but he can not be away from work all the time that would be necessary," Jalle told me. "Tomas is still in the team, as an assistant coach during our training camps in Sweden."

Thomas Wilhelm, the husband of lead Anette (who also retired after Vancouver) is team manager.

The team is:

Glenn Ikonen, skip
Patrik Burman 3rd
Patrik Kallin 2nd
Kicki Uhlander lead
Gert Erlandsson  alternate

"So, with three players from Paralympics, and me and Thomas as staff, it's pretty much the same faces, but at least myself in a different role," Jalle said.

"Kicki is not totally new, as she played for Sweden 2007 and 2008. Gert also played 2007 when there was a different team representing Sweden at the Worlds in Sweden.

"Where we stand ....? We don't know, and Scotland (Lanarkshire International) will be really interesting for us."

Jalle is one of the true gentlemen in our sport, happy to share his knowledge and insights, appreciating that at this stage of the sport's development, athletes must be ambassadors and evangelists even while competing.

He has this to say about funding.

"It was interesting to read about the huge funding Scotland and Canada, had and have. We Swedes are in a totally different league. We got aprox. $50.000 for preparations for Vancouver, and have a total budget for $25.000 this year.....and that includes the Prague Worlds.

"We are supposed to be a rich country, but we are definitely not spending the money on curling."

Despite this comparative lack of financial resources, Sweden have won two bronze medals at the Paralympics and a silver at the 2009 Worlds.