Canada cruised to a 10-5 win over USA to go 2-0 on the opening day of competition at the Paralympics.
USA took 2 in the first but then gave up 4 in the second, and steals of 2 in the third and fourth.
Line scores when available.
Sweden completely fell apart in the final end of their match against Korea, throwing zeroes with their first 6 stones, and losing 8-4. Korea showed they can draw, burying two behind misplaced Swedish guards while Sweden failed to clear the front.
Norway beat Great Britain 7-5 on a game that saw GB take a 3-0 after 2, fall behind 5-3 after 5, tie it after 7 and then give up 2 in the final end.
Japan beat Italy 9-6
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Paralympic Draw 1 results
Canada beats Great Britain 9-2 in opening draw. USA beats Korea 9-6. Germany beats Norway 10-6. Switzerland beats Sweden 7-6
Great Britain took 1 in the first according to this CTV photo
Line scores have been posted to the wheelchaircurling.com website HERE
Report from CTV
The Canadian wheelchair curling team opened their campaign to win back-to-back gold medals by taking a 9-2 victory in seven ends over Great Britain in a rematch Saturday of the gold medal final from four years ago.
Comment from Jim Armstrong: “It certainly didn’t reflect well on Great Britain. They are better than the score showed. We got on the ice quick and it was curling a lot more than we were used to. They [were forced] to come to us and it was tough for them.”
and one from Michael McCreadie: “It was a good start for us with a steal [in the first end]. But then we were too aggressive in the second and third ends. We tried to claw back but you just have to learn from these types of games. If we’re going to have that kind of game, why not have it early?”
Draw 2 begins at 6pm local time. Canada play USA, Norway vs Great Britain, Sweden vs Korea and Italy vs Japan
Great Britain took 1 in the first according to this CTV photo
Line scores have been posted to the wheelchaircurling.com website HERE
Report from CTV
The Canadian wheelchair curling team opened their campaign to win back-to-back gold medals by taking a 9-2 victory in seven ends over Great Britain in a rematch Saturday of the gold medal final from four years ago.
Comment from Jim Armstrong: “It certainly didn’t reflect well on Great Britain. They are better than the score showed. We got on the ice quick and it was curling a lot more than we were used to. They [were forced] to come to us and it was tough for them.”
and one from Michael McCreadie: “It was a good start for us with a steal [in the first end]. But then we were too aggressive in the second and third ends. We tried to claw back but you just have to learn from these types of games. If we’re going to have that kind of game, why not have it early?”
Draw 2 begins at 6pm local time. Canada play USA, Norway vs Great Britain, Sweden vs Korea and Italy vs Japan
Paralympic Games - Draw 1 preview
It would be foolish to say that as goes Draw 1 so goes the tournament, but that may be true for Great Britain. They open against Canada with not only a Torino Final memory to erase, but with a chance to push aside all the skepticism and doubt expressed by those outside their program, myself included, that their radical approach to delivery position can bring success.
A year ago Great Britain appeared in disarray. Their coach put that down to expected and manageable effects of learning a new approach to throwng their stones.
This year Great Britain welcome back Angie Malone at lead, and with Aileen Neilson now settled at fourth stones, skip Michael McCreadie is free to concentrate on calling the game.
Canada will show how well they handle the pressure of the home crowd's expectation that they'll win them all. We'll see whether Jim Armstrong's series of physical misfortunes has affected his play.
A win for Great Britain will mean that not only can Canada be beaten, but also that their experiment is working. Canada can afford a loss, though I don't expect them to lose. Scotland need a win, or at minimum a very tight game, to settle their nerves and build their confidence.
Other games in the opening draw: Korea-USA, Sweden-Switzerland and Germany-Norway.
A year ago Great Britain appeared in disarray. Their coach put that down to expected and manageable effects of learning a new approach to throwng their stones.
This year Great Britain welcome back Angie Malone at lead, and with Aileen Neilson now settled at fourth stones, skip Michael McCreadie is free to concentrate on calling the game.
Canada will show how well they handle the pressure of the home crowd's expectation that they'll win them all. We'll see whether Jim Armstrong's series of physical misfortunes has affected his play.
A win for Great Britain will mean that not only can Canada be beaten, but also that their experiment is working. Canada can afford a loss, though I don't expect them to lose. Scotland need a win, or at minimum a very tight game, to settle their nerves and build their confidence.
Other games in the opening draw: Korea-USA, Sweden-Switzerland and Germany-Norway.
New to wheelchair curling? Watch this video
BBC Sport has a series of videos introducing wheelchair curling and also the members of the wheelchair curling team.
Michael McCreadie, skip of Team Great Britain, was the only curler to be given the honour of carrying his nation's flag at the Opening Ceremonies of the Vancouver Paralympics.
In the video below he gives a full explanation of how wheelchair curling is played, ending with encouragement for people to come out and try the sport. There's lots of people who will help, he says, concluding:"Give me a call and I'll turn up also."
One interesting note from the video: they edited in the last rock thrown by Frank Duffy from the Torino Games, where Great Britain had an open hit to win gold. It starts at 2.00 into the video.
Other videos including video profiles of Team GB curlers, can be found HERE.
Michael McCreadie, skip of Team Great Britain, was the only curler to be given the honour of carrying his nation's flag at the Opening Ceremonies of the Vancouver Paralympics.
In the video below he gives a full explanation of how wheelchair curling is played, ending with encouragement for people to come out and try the sport. There's lots of people who will help, he says, concluding:"Give me a call and I'll turn up also."
One interesting note from the video: they edited in the last rock thrown by Frank Duffy from the Torino Games, where Great Britain had an open hit to win gold. It starts at 2.00 into the video.
Other videos including video profiles of Team GB curlers, can be found HERE.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Team USA give lessons in Robson Square
The coach and members of Team USA gave some lessons to on-lookers in Robson Square.
[from Inside Vancouver blog] Out on the Robson Square ice, members of the Team USA wheelchair curling squad were giving a demonstration and free lesson. Onlookers with disabilities made their way into the rink and formed a circle of wheelchairs around the American coach, who explained the basics of “rocks,” “houses” and keeping score. Watching the demonstration – with kids in wheelchairs and on crutches taking turns slinging 42-pound curling stones down the ice – I got a glimpse into a little of what Paralympic competition is about: inclusion, optimism and improvisation.
USA Coach Rusty Schieber gives a lesson
[from Inside Vancouver blog] Out on the Robson Square ice, members of the Team USA wheelchair curling squad were giving a demonstration and free lesson. Onlookers with disabilities made their way into the rink and formed a circle of wheelchairs around the American coach, who explained the basics of “rocks,” “houses” and keeping score. Watching the demonstration – with kids in wheelchairs and on crutches taking turns slinging 42-pound curling stones down the ice – I got a glimpse into a little of what Paralympic competition is about: inclusion, optimism and improvisation.
Information pages for Paralympics and Nationals
I have created pages for the statistics of the matches played at the Vancouver Paralympics and the Kelowna Nationals.
I will attempt to update them at least daily. I will also write and link to news items as I have time. Those will likely appear first here.
There will be some coverage of wheelchair curling on Paralympic Sport TV where 2006 gold medal skip Chris Daw will be providing commentary. The CCA have announced they will be posting information on Team Canada on their website. They also have a space on their site for information from the Nationals.
The best way to keep in touch with what coverage may be available on this site and the blog, is to follow WheelChairCurl on Twitter.
I will attempt to update them at least daily. I will also write and link to news items as I have time. Those will likely appear first here.
There will be some coverage of wheelchair curling on Paralympic Sport TV where 2006 gold medal skip Chris Daw will be providing commentary. The CCA have announced they will be posting information on Team Canada on their website. They also have a space on their site for information from the Nationals.
The best way to keep in touch with what coverage may be available on this site and the blog, is to follow WheelChairCurl on Twitter.
Who'll make the podium at the Paralympic Games?
I gave my predictions in my Paralympic preview post. Now it's your turn.
Places 1 through 4 in the comments below - and remember, there's no credit of your post is anonymous.
Your choices, in alphabetical order: Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Korea, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, USA.
Highland Wheelchair CC holding give-it-a-go in Inverness March 16
Highland Wheelchair Curling Club are inviting wheelchair users and those with mobility impairments to a come and try event at Inverness Ice Centre on Tuesday 16th March between 1.30-3.30pm.
Those taking part will be given an introduction to the sport, a lesson on the ice, while also having a go at the Hot Shots competition, which is part of the Try Curling initiative that is being run this month by the Royal Caledonian Curling Club.
For further information, or to book a place at the event contact Mo Simpson, secretary of Highland Wheelchair Curling Club, on 01463 716227 or 0779 871 0404.
[information from The Inverness Courier]
Those taking part will be given an introduction to the sport, a lesson on the ice, while also having a go at the Hot Shots competition, which is part of the Try Curling initiative that is being run this month by the Royal Caledonian Curling Club.
For further information, or to book a place at the event contact Mo Simpson, secretary of Highland Wheelchair Curling Club, on 01463 716227 or 0779 871 0404.
[information from The Inverness Courier]
Gaudet and Armstrong make Macleans Top 10
Team Canada lead Sonja Gaudet and skip Jim Armstrong make the Macleans.ca 10 Paralympians to watch.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Takashi Hidai, at 75 this year's oldest Paralympian
Takashi Hidai
[Information from the Tokyo Five blog] Takashi Hidai plays 2nd for Japan and at 75 years old is not only the oldest person to ever join the Japanese Paralympics Team, but will be the oldest competitor at the Vancouver Games.
When he was 31 years old, he was working in Tokyo as an electrician on a construction site when a crane fell on him, paralyzing him from the waist down.
He credits the love of his wife and daughter (who was three years old at the time) with helping maintain his positive attitude after his tragedy.
He is an accomplished archer, traveling to England in 2005 to compete in the World Archery Championship.
“Being 70 years old (at the time), I was really surprised to make it to the World Championships!” he said.
About five years ago, an acquaintance who participated in a local Wheelchair Curling workshop suggested Mr. Hidai try curling. He doubted that he would be able to maneuver his wheelchair on ice at the age of seventy, let alone compete against people forty or fifty years younger than him, but now excels at it.
Takashi Hidai lost his daughter, whom he said constantly encouraged him with a smile, nineteen years ago from cancer. She was only 28 years old and had just became a mother.
He wishes she was still here to encourage him when he plays at the 2010 Paralympics in Canada next month.
*****************************
Speaking of encouragement, here's the support flag that the Asahikawa Cute para-curling team sent to Vancouver. {from Kannane.net via the Para Sports in Japan blog]
"If I don’t have headache, I didn’t think hard enough" - Perez
Goose Perez, braced by Jimmy Joseph and watched by lead Jacqui Kapinowski
Team USA's Augusto 'Goose' Perez says he loves skipping. “It makes me think. If I don’t come off the ice with a headache, I didn’t think hard enough,” he told Grant Granger of the Abbotsford News. Read the article HERE.The USA team trained at the Abbotsford CC at the invitation of Linda Kirton, who will be taking the oath on behalf of the officials at the Paralympic Opening Ceremony tomorrow evening.
Goose took (friendly) exception to my suggestion in the Paralympic preview that he loves the hero shot.
"if we end up wih a tough shot either because of misses or errors in game calling on my part, then i am ready to take responsibility. I have always avoided the hero shot which may win you games but not championships. The fact is that in the past by our own mistakes, probably mostly in errors of mine in calling the game, we have found ourselves in a spot to throw not the shot we wish but the one we had to. One thing is right, if it needs to be thrown i don't shy away if that's the only choice we see. Remember most heroes end up dead!"
Team Newfoundland & Labrador at RE/MAX Centre tonight
photo - Ian Readey
Joanne MacDonald, the only female skipping a provincial team, will be demonstrating wheelchair curling at the RE/MAX Centre, home of the St. John's CC, this evening.
Aileen Neilson's Paralympic Diary
Photo - Bob Cowan
Team Great Britain's Aileen Neilson, who throws 4th stones for skip Michael McCreadie, will be writing a diary for the East Kilbride News.
"It was quite a surreal moment, but this was when I knew I had arrived at the Paralympic Games.
Picking up my accreditation card for the Games was an amazing feeling and when I saw my name on that card with the Paralympic emblem on it, I knew I was ready to enjoy and savour every moment of my time in Vancouver."
Read the rest of the first instalment HERE. Great Britain play Canada in the opening draw this Saturday (March 13) and I know I'll be looking for that entry.
World Curling Federation media coverage of Paralympics
The World Curling Federation will not have their media person at the Paralympics. Joanna Kelly, who took over from The Curling News' George Karys, is in Flims Switzerland covering the World Juniors. Dan Field will be the WCF media person in Vancouver.
Here's a link to their Paralympic Preview media release.
Here's a link to their Paralympic Preview media release.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Paralympic preview and predictions
Play begins at the 2010 Paralympic Games on Saturday when host team Canada takes on the nine nations with the best record over the past three World Championships. Japan, mostly on the basis of a 5th place in 2007, replace China, late-comers to international play, in the one change from the ten teams who competed at the 2009 Worlds in the same venue.
Canada skip Jim Armstrong's injury plagued season has kept the rumour mill grinding but there was never a real prospect that he wouldn't play. Lead Sonja Gaudet is the one returning 2006 gold medalist. Ina Forrest at 2nd and Darryl Neighbour at 3rd, makes alternate Bruno Yizek the one change from the team that after a sometimes shaky round robin, powered through the play-offs to win Canada's first ever World Championship last February.
Armstrong makes frequent reference to the absence of ego in the side, but it would have to be a very large ego to challenge the huge disparity in experience between the skip and his team. While four decades of curling brings obvious advantages in ice-reading and game management, it's Jim's throwing that excites coach Joe Rea.
"Who better, with all his experience, to throw the final stone?" he told me as the team wrapped up it's preparations.
"The thing we have been able to do this year," he said, "is work with the same group over two trips to Europe and several weekend camps. That's allowed us to try out different game plans, not all successful," he admitted.
"We've tried different things this season and have settled on a game plan we think works for us. We may alter it slightly depending on ice conditions, but essentially we'll be coming into the house early, keeping the front clean, and throwing 9 second takeouts.
"When we got into trouble last year it was through missing hits, and with extra weight you remove the ice as a factor."
No secret there, though last year opposing skips found it almost impossible to resist calling for low percentage (by wheelchair curling standards) hits on Canadian rocks to the side and to the back of the rings.
Then there's the University of Alberta's top secret Own The Podium financed performance evaluation and enhancement program. Everyone's sworn to double-secret probation against speaking about it.
"We were able to adjust a lot of things that were bio-mechanically incorrect," claims Phys. Ed. lecturer Pierre Baudin.
If Canada have a weakness it might be the team's over-reliance on Armstrong's leadership. Last year when Jim struggled, so did the team and especially Darryl at 3rd. The coaches deny that's an issue, but it's how it looked to me last year, and we have yet to see how well Jim can throw under pressure after his latest injuries.
The official team goal is on the podium, but to quote Jim: "I've never taken satisfaction from a contest that ended on a defeat."
Canada are heavy favourites, especially if their opposition, as last year, have not worked on a game plan to counter their strengths. But then, games can come down to one or two shots, and in a sport where excellence is still to be counted in the 60 percentile, there's lots of room for error - and upset.
Prospects - shock if not in play-offs, surprise if they don't take gold.
Great Britain, in contrast to Canada, made just one change from the Torino team who saw their gold medal flash away. Aileen Nielsen throws last rocks, replacing Frank Duffy, who retired. Michael McCreadie skips from 3rd, and Angie Malone and Tom Killin return at lead and second.
Two years ago the team began an experiment that moved their delivery point back from the hogline. Coach Pendreigh describes it as a "skill acquisition project" and professes surprise at the skepticism it has provoked.
"While we deliver softer weights from the back to allow us to use split times
and gain the use of all the ice, we still have the ability to move to the front (for takeouts). This (gives) the team a larger range of shots ... The performance dip which was expected and managed may well have cost us (Worlds medals) but we all believed our long term goal of achieving a top 4 spot at the Games was a worthwhile sacrifice.
"The team are much more comfortable with their new found talents and their understanding of the game and each other. Should we play anything close to our potential then all the work and effort will have been made all the more worthwhile.
"We relish the opportunity to play to Canada in the first game. I suspect there will be a degree of expectation on their shoulders and a passionate crowd with similar expectations……..I think it is therefore a good time to play Canada, but we have to play all the teams at least once!"
The GB team (all Scots) curl full-time. Aileen joins a group who have played and won at international level for many years, though Michael McCreadie, for all his playing experience, is one of the tournament's newer skips.
From the outside it appears Pendreigh took an unnecessary gamble changing delivery points. A subsequent rule change means everyone's stones can now be placed up to 6 inches off centre at delivery, and the further the rock has to travel, the more opportunity it has to go off-line.
Prospects - On the podium if the experiment works. Exile to England for the coach if it doesn't.
Norway brought in a Dane, Per Christensen, to coach a team lacking in self-confidence after a disappointing 6th place in the 2009 Worlds, not helped by lack of local ice, since solved.
"They have the mental toughness, the willpower, to overcome these problems and they do not give up before the last stone. That is their strength," Christensen said after announcing an unchanged squad.
"The team has been on a constant curve, which should peak at the Paralympics. They have played better and better during the season, winning January in Perth.
"Though it was difficult for the team in the beginning, our practices and adopting new tactics mean now I have a strong team and we are coming to Vancouver to play for Gold. No less, They were World Champions in 2007 and 2008. It will of course not be easy, All the participating teams can win, with Canada as favourites. Our first goal is to get to the play-offs. After that anything can happen.
"Will we play Canada differently than other teams? I say we play our own game ... we will set up our play according to which team we are meeting. I have to find their weak sides and then play to them."
Norway is a team with proven athletes from other disciplines. They have an excellent record against Canada, winning a game potentially critical to both teams in the last round robin draw of the 2009 Worlds.
Christensen is confident Canada can be beaten. Norway have never posted impressive stats, but if their new coach adds improved execution to a plan that doesn't allow Canada to dictate the play, their knack of pulling out wins makes them serious contenders.
Prospects - play-offs, as the team you won't want to meet.
Sweden also have a new coach, multi-World Champion Tomas Nordin. He teams with a very experienced skip, Jalle Jungnell, who won bronze in Torino and silver with this squad last March. Nordin may bring some sophistication to a side that got sucked into attempting low percentage back 12 hits in their 2009 final loss to Canada.
Nordin has been away from the game for several years and was unfamiliar with wheelchair curling when he took the job. Jim Armstrong has remarked how steep he found the learning curve transitioning from the able-bodied game. The question for Sweden is has the coach had time to absorb the differences and raise Sweden's game enough to win it all?
Prospects - play-offs if their maturity at skip is complimented by strategic and tactical improvements learned from one of curling's great players.
USA lean on their emotional skip, Augusto 'Goose' Perez, whose self-belief walks a fine line short of arrogance. He lives for the opportunity to make what Russ Howard describes as the "hero shot."
Team dynamics and communication have been a focus of preparation, Team Leader Marc DePerno said: "The extensive amount of time spent together has further reinforced team harmony.
"They devoted significantly more time and energy to their training regimen this season. The team has participated in dozens of games against elite level able-bodied and wheelchair athletes which has resulted in marked improvement in their strategy and shot making abilities."
If USA play as a unit and position their early stones, they have a last rock thrower ready to rise to the big occasion.
Prospects - with a good start USA could - go - all - the - way, but should be happy to break 500 and possibly make the play-offs.
Germany came to the 2009 Worlds through the Qualifying Competition, posted
the best round robin record (7-2) and won bronze, albeit on a spectacular fluke re-direction of the games last stone.
They have an ebullient skip, Jens Jäger, a wonderful attitude and great fans who sing the team song. They also have a rare quadriplegic, Marcus Sieger, at third. What's needed for the next step?
"Good question," says coach Helmar Erlewein "The most important point is to maintain concentration from the round robin to the semi-finals. This was our big problem in 2009. We were not able to come back into the game as we wanted. But we are working on that.
"I don’t think that we will play Canada differently than other teams. We have a master plan which we can vary if required. Final decisions will be made from game to game."
Prospects - Performance this year has been spotty. They'll do well to finish above 500.
Korea scared everybody at the 2008 Worlds when they introduced a super-hitting style and smashed their way into the final. No one could match their hit weight. At last year's Worlds, neither could Korea, at least not accurately. The better teams adjusted to Korea's hitting game, and their coach seemed despondent that his team, who he had only met at the Championship, seemed unwilling to listen to his suggestions.
Korea played in the Richmond BC Cashspiel last November, finishing second to Canada. Success in Vancouver will likely depend on whether they have been able to add a draw game to their deadly hitting.
Prospects - with the element of surprise gone and teams no longer afraid of their hitting, no better than mid-table.
Italy arrived just before the start of last year's Worlds, began 4-1, beating Canada, then crashed to 4-5 as lack of fitness and experience took its toll. They have the skill to win as they proved by beating Germany in the 2010 Identa Cup but have comparatively little international experience or funding.
Prospects - they will do well to equal last March's record.
Japan has an average age of 51. Takashi Hidai (2nd) is 75, Japan's oldest Paralympian and the Games' oldest athlete. They made a short visit to BC in November, winning their one exhibition game against Canada 8-3. They failed to qualify for last year's Worlds, earning their Paralympic spot on the strength of a 5th place in 2007.
They are all members of the Shinsyu Chair Curling Club that won the last five Japan Wheelchair Curling Championships. with skip Nakajima participating in each one.
Over 100 members of the Japanese media attended the send-off ceremonies for Japan's Paralympic team, but while media interest is high, it's doubtful they'll out-perform the 2007 team.
Prospects - an unknown quantity but unlikely to prosper against much more experienced opposition.
Switzerland completely rebuilt their team around skip Manfred Bollinger after going 3-6 on home ice at the 2008 Worlds. In 2009 they did worse, and will have to re-qualify in 2011. Bollinger is an excellent shot-maker, though he damaged his hand late in the year and withdrew from the team's last spiel.
Prospects - unable to do worse than last year.
Summary - Canada won the 2009 Worlds because they made their shots, coaxed their opponents into low percentage hits and always had a viable shot with skip stones.
I expect Canada, Sweden, Great Britain (aka Scotland) and Norway to have made the biggest improvements over last year, with GB having the largest potential for improvement.
Germany and USA over-performed last year and may struggle to repeat. Korea need to do more than hit. Japan replaces China from the 2009 Worlds line-up and with Italy and Switzerland will have to re-qualify for Worlds play. None of the three have shown they could challenge this year.
Prediction: Canada, Norway, GB, Sweden, USA, Germany, Korea, Italy, Switzerland, Japan.
You can add your (more accurate, I'm sure) predictions to the comments, but you get no credit if you post anonymously.
Canada skip Jim Armstrong's injury plagued season has kept the rumour mill grinding but there was never a real prospect that he wouldn't play. Lead Sonja Gaudet is the one returning 2006 gold medalist. Ina Forrest at 2nd and Darryl Neighbour at 3rd, makes alternate Bruno Yizek the one change from the team that after a sometimes shaky round robin, powered through the play-offs to win Canada's first ever World Championship last February.
Armstrong makes frequent reference to the absence of ego in the side, but it would have to be a very large ego to challenge the huge disparity in experience between the skip and his team. While four decades of curling brings obvious advantages in ice-reading and game management, it's Jim's throwing that excites coach Joe Rea.
"The thing we have been able to do this year," he said, "is work with the same group over two trips to Europe and several weekend camps. That's allowed us to try out different game plans, not all successful," he admitted.
"We've tried different things this season and have settled on a game plan we think works for us. We may alter it slightly depending on ice conditions, but essentially we'll be coming into the house early, keeping the front clean, and throwing 9 second takeouts.
"When we got into trouble last year it was through missing hits, and with extra weight you remove the ice as a factor."
No secret there, though last year opposing skips found it almost impossible to resist calling for low percentage (by wheelchair curling standards) hits on Canadian rocks to the side and to the back of the rings.
Then there's the University of Alberta's top secret Own The Podium financed performance evaluation and enhancement program. Everyone's sworn to double-secret probation against speaking about it.
"We were able to adjust a lot of things that were bio-mechanically incorrect," claims Phys. Ed. lecturer Pierre Baudin.
If Canada have a weakness it might be the team's over-reliance on Armstrong's leadership. Last year when Jim struggled, so did the team and especially Darryl at 3rd. The coaches deny that's an issue, but it's how it looked to me last year, and we have yet to see how well Jim can throw under pressure after his latest injuries.
The official team goal is on the podium, but to quote Jim: "I've never taken satisfaction from a contest that ended on a defeat."
Canada are heavy favourites, especially if their opposition, as last year, have not worked on a game plan to counter their strengths. But then, games can come down to one or two shots, and in a sport where excellence is still to be counted in the 60 percentile, there's lots of room for error - and upset.
Prospects - shock if not in play-offs, surprise if they don't take gold.
Great Britain, in contrast to Canada, made just one change from the Torino team who saw their gold medal flash away. Aileen Nielsen throws last rocks, replacing Frank Duffy, who retired. Michael McCreadie skips from 3rd, and Angie Malone and Tom Killin return at lead and second.
Two years ago the team began an experiment that moved their delivery point back from the hogline. Coach Pendreigh describes it as a "skill acquisition project" and professes surprise at the skepticism it has provoked.
"While we deliver softer weights from the back to allow us to use split times
and gain the use of all the ice, we still have the ability to move to the front (for takeouts). This (gives) the team a larger range of shots ... The performance dip which was expected and managed may well have cost us (Worlds medals) but we all believed our long term goal of achieving a top 4 spot at the Games was a worthwhile sacrifice."The team are much more comfortable with their new found talents and their understanding of the game and each other. Should we play anything close to our potential then all the work and effort will have been made all the more worthwhile.
"We relish the opportunity to play to Canada in the first game. I suspect there will be a degree of expectation on their shoulders and a passionate crowd with similar expectations……..I think it is therefore a good time to play Canada, but we have to play all the teams at least once!"
The GB team (all Scots) curl full-time. Aileen joins a group who have played and won at international level for many years, though Michael McCreadie, for all his playing experience, is one of the tournament's newer skips.
From the outside it appears Pendreigh took an unnecessary gamble changing delivery points. A subsequent rule change means everyone's stones can now be placed up to 6 inches off centre at delivery, and the further the rock has to travel, the more opportunity it has to go off-line.
Prospects - On the podium if the experiment works. Exile to England for the coach if it doesn't.
"They have the mental toughness, the willpower, to overcome these problems and they do not give up before the last stone. That is their strength," Christensen said after announcing an unchanged squad.
"The team has been on a constant curve, which should peak at the Paralympics. They have played better and better during the season, winning January in Perth.
"Though it was difficult for the team in the beginning, our practices and adopting new tactics mean now I have a strong team and we are coming to Vancouver to play for Gold. No less, They were World Champions in 2007 and 2008. It will of course not be easy, All the participating teams can win, with Canada as favourites. Our first goal is to get to the play-offs. After that anything can happen.
"Will we play Canada differently than other teams? I say we play our own game ... we will set up our play according to which team we are meeting. I have to find their weak sides and then play to them."
Norway is a team with proven athletes from other disciplines. They have an excellent record against Canada, winning a game potentially critical to both teams in the last round robin draw of the 2009 Worlds.
Christensen is confident Canada can be beaten. Norway have never posted impressive stats, but if their new coach adds improved execution to a plan that doesn't allow Canada to dictate the play, their knack of pulling out wins makes them serious contenders.
Prospects - play-offs, as the team you won't want to meet.
Nordin has been away from the game for several years and was unfamiliar with wheelchair curling when he took the job. Jim Armstrong has remarked how steep he found the learning curve transitioning from the able-bodied game. The question for Sweden is has the coach had time to absorb the differences and raise Sweden's game enough to win it all?
Prospects - play-offs if their maturity at skip is complimented by strategic and tactical improvements learned from one of curling's great players.
USA lean on their emotional skip, Augusto 'Goose' Perez, whose self-belief walks a fine line short of arrogance. He lives for the opportunity to make what Russ Howard describes as the "hero shot."
"They devoted significantly more time and energy to their training regimen this season. The team has participated in dozens of games against elite level able-bodied and wheelchair athletes which has resulted in marked improvement in their strategy and shot making abilities."
If USA play as a unit and position their early stones, they have a last rock thrower ready to rise to the big occasion.
Prospects - with a good start USA could - go - all - the - way, but should be happy to break 500 and possibly make the play-offs.
Germany came to the 2009 Worlds through the Qualifying Competition, posted
the best round robin record (7-2) and won bronze, albeit on a spectacular fluke re-direction of the games last stone.
They have an ebullient skip, Jens Jäger, a wonderful attitude and great fans who sing the team song. They also have a rare quadriplegic, Marcus Sieger, at third. What's needed for the next step?
"Good question," says coach Helmar Erlewein "The most important point is to maintain concentration from the round robin to the semi-finals. This was our big problem in 2009. We were not able to come back into the game as we wanted. But we are working on that.
"I don’t think that we will play Canada differently than other teams. We have a master plan which we can vary if required. Final decisions will be made from game to game."
Prospects - Performance this year has been spotty. They'll do well to finish above 500.
Korea scared everybody at the 2008 Worlds when they introduced a super-hitting style and smashed their way into the final. No one could match their hit weight. At last year's Worlds, neither could Korea, at least not accurately. The better teams adjusted to Korea's hitting game, and their coach seemed despondent that his team, who he had only met at the Championship, seemed unwilling to listen to his suggestions.
Korea played in the Richmond BC Cashspiel last November, finishing second to Canada. Success in Vancouver will likely depend on whether they have been able to add a draw game to their deadly hitting.
Prospects - with the element of surprise gone and teams no longer afraid of their hitting, no better than mid-table.
Italy arrived just before the start of last year's Worlds, began 4-1, beating Canada, then crashed to 4-5 as lack of fitness and experience took its toll. They have the skill to win as they proved by beating Germany in the 2010 Identa Cup but have comparatively little international experience or funding.
Prospects - they will do well to equal last March's record.
Japan has an average age of 51. Takashi Hidai (2nd) is 75, Japan's oldest Paralympian and the Games' oldest athlete. They made a short visit to BC in November, winning their one exhibition game against Canada 8-3. They failed to qualify for last year's Worlds, earning their Paralympic spot on the strength of a 5th place in 2007.
They are all members of the Shinsyu Chair Curling Club that won the last five Japan Wheelchair Curling Championships. with skip Nakajima participating in each one.
Over 100 members of the Japanese media attended the send-off ceremonies for Japan's Paralympic team, but while media interest is high, it's doubtful they'll out-perform the 2007 team.
Prospects - an unknown quantity but unlikely to prosper against much more experienced opposition.
Prospects - unable to do worse than last year.
Summary - Canada won the 2009 Worlds because they made their shots, coaxed their opponents into low percentage hits and always had a viable shot with skip stones.
I expect Canada, Sweden, Great Britain (aka Scotland) and Norway to have made the biggest improvements over last year, with GB having the largest potential for improvement.
Germany and USA over-performed last year and may struggle to repeat. Korea need to do more than hit. Japan replaces China from the 2009 Worlds line-up and with Italy and Switzerland will have to re-qualify for Worlds play. None of the three have shown they could challenge this year.
Prediction: Canada, Norway, GB, Sweden, USA, Germany, Korea, Italy, Switzerland, Japan.
You can add your (more accurate, I'm sure) predictions to the comments, but you get no credit if you post anonymously.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Your support does make a difference
With 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.
Nothing's free, even if sometimes it feels that way. Had 10% of the regular readership donated $10 at some point this season, Cate and I would be going to Vancouver and giving you the insider perspective that comes from painstakingly building relationships with the coaches and players of all the countries, not just Canada.
So will we be covering the Nationals instead; after all they are taking place just down the road?
That would just be a couple of hundred hours of Cate and my time. What's that time worth to you?
If you'd like to express your appreciation for the past five years of the website, and the past two years of the blog, click on the Donation button on the top right of this page to send a donation in any amount via Cate's PayPal account.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Armstrong wins Sport BC Harry Jerome Comeback award
Sport 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.
"Each year the recipient embodies the qualities that make sport so compelling,” said Rick Christiaanse, Executive Vice-President of Sport BC. "Jim Armstrong is no exception. Throughout his athletic career, Jim’s knowledge, sportsmanship and dedication to his sport have elevated the level of both able-bodied and wheelchair curling.”
“We are proud to present him with this award as a tribute to his journey.”
The award will be presented March 31, 2010 at the 44th Annual Sport BC Athlete of the Year Awards. Armstrong will be honoured for his long road back to amateur sport alongside 19 other athletes, coaches, and officials who represent BC’s best.
You can read full details of the announcement HERE.
Jim has known about the award for a couple of weeks, but asked me not to publicise it. "I'm hoping they'll wait till after the Paralympics," he told me, "so it won't be a distraction."
It may be a distraction, but it's certainly an honour.
"Each year the recipient embodies the qualities that make sport so compelling,” said Rick Christiaanse, Executive Vice-President of Sport BC. "Jim Armstrong is no exception. Throughout his athletic career, Jim’s knowledge, sportsmanship and dedication to his sport have elevated the level of both able-bodied and wheelchair curling.”
“We are proud to present him with this award as a tribute to his journey.”
The award will be presented March 31, 2010 at the 44th Annual Sport BC Athlete of the Year Awards. Armstrong will be honoured for his long road back to amateur sport alongside 19 other athletes, coaches, and officials who represent BC’s best.
You can read full details of the announcement HERE.
Jim has known about the award for a couple of weeks, but asked me not to publicise it. "I'm hoping they'll wait till after the Paralympics," he told me, "so it won't be a distraction."
It may be a distraction, but it's certainly an honour.
Coverage of Paralympic wheelchair curling
Last 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.
We had hoped to do something similar at the Paralympics, but despite approaching every possible source of funding, we were not able to cover accommodation and on-site costs. A couple of offers of accommodation did not materialise, so although we have media accreditation, it doesn't look as though we will be attending Canada's defence of their Paralympic gold medal.
The television consortium that covered the Olympics will be producing 25 hours of English language Paralympic programming, almost all devoted to sledge hockey and an evening highlight show.
As far as I know, the only live media coverage of wheelchair curling will be on Paralympic Sport TV
The schedule is on a pdf document at this link.
While it is personally disappointing not to be able to continue the work we bagan at last year's Worlds and take advantage of the relationships we established with athletes and coaches from all the teams, we can't force perceptions of value where they don't exist.
The website and blog have been around just long enough for the service they provide to be taken for granted. We have several thousand readers every week, and no income.
So it goes.
We had hoped to do something similar at the Paralympics, but despite approaching every possible source of funding, we were not able to cover accommodation and on-site costs. A couple of offers of accommodation did not materialise, so although we have media accreditation, it doesn't look as though we will be attending Canada's defence of their Paralympic gold medal.
The television consortium that covered the Olympics will be producing 25 hours of English language Paralympic programming, almost all devoted to sledge hockey and an evening highlight show.
As far as I know, the only live media coverage of wheelchair curling will be on Paralympic Sport TV
The schedule is on a pdf document at this link.
While it is personally disappointing not to be able to continue the work we bagan at last year's Worlds and take advantage of the relationships we established with athletes and coaches from all the teams, we can't force perceptions of value where they don't exist.
The website and blog have been around just long enough for the service they provide to be taken for granted. We have several thousand readers every week, and no income.
So it goes.
Jim Armstrong talks about "his sport and what it's taught him about life"
photo - Ian Lindsay
Q: What have you learned about yourself and life from this journey?
A: Everybody in the program has their own story. Some have had experiences most of us don't have to deal with in a lifetime. But the silver lining is everybody leaves their ego at the door. You have that common thread of how we got into that position of whatever disability it is. There is that common bond. It just makes everybody that much closer.
Read the interview HERE
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Ina Forrest and Sonja Gaudet talk about the Paralympics
Ina Forrest and Soja Gaudet
Team 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.
“It was fabulous to have your family attend and see what it is you do. It makes it that much more exciting for yourself.”
Lead Sonja Gaudet says “The experience I had in Torino is a benefit for me. Until I went there I didn’t know how I was going to react in those (big game) situations.
“I’m pretty good at that anyway, blocking out distraction and using distraction in a positive light. To me that’s all good.”
Read what else they had to say HERE
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